13 free things to do in Ottawa this weekend, May 10 to 12
April showers bring May tulips! 🌷
The Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa. Right: Tulips in front of the House of Commons.
Want a fun weekend but don't want to spend an arm and a leg? Fear no longer as there are plenty of free things to do this weekend in Ottawa that'll cost nothing but a good time.
Whether you want to basque in the vibrant and colourful tulips of an Ottawa spring, celebrate Mother's Day with the woman who gave you life, or peruse locally made art; Ottawa's got you covered.
Here are thirteen things to do in Ottawa that'll help keep your wallet healthy and happy.
Browse the blooms at the Canadian Tulip Festival
Price: Free admission
When: May 10 to 20, 2024
Address: Commissioners Park, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: It's that time of the year when over a million tulips bloom in the National Capital Region. Head over to Commissioners Park to partake in an over-70-year-old tradition that has become the largest public tulip display in the world. Enjoy spectacular light shows, outdoor movie screenings, and a vibrant world-class tulip display.
Accessibility: Street parking on Dow's Lake Road is reserved for those with an Accessible Parking Permit. Dow's Lake Pavilion is an accessible pickup and drop-off zone and an OC Transpo stop.
Browse thousands of affordable books
Price: Free admission
When: May 9 to 11, 2024
Address: Kanata United Church, 33 Leacock Dr, Kanata, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Kanata United Church is hosting its annual book fair which promises over 40,000 books ranging in price from $1 to $3. This book fair is one of the largest in Eastern Ontario and is a bookworm's dream weekend activity.
On Thursday and Friday, it's open from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. On Saturday, it's open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Accessibility: According to their website, this venue is fully accessible.
Kanata United Church website
Embrace your inner kid at the Ottawa Children's Festival
Price: Free admission
When: May 10 to 14, 2024
Address: Arts Court & The Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Ottawa Children's Festival is back in town! Head over to Lebreton Flats and unleash your inner child by exploring the various roaming performers, face-painting stations, button-crafting stalls, and a wide range of interactive performances that are suitable for all ages to enjoy.
The fun starts from 10a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
Accessibility: The Ottawa Children's Festival is fully accessible.
Keep your eyes on the skies for an RCAF fly-by
Price: Free admission
When: May 11, 2024, at 11 a.m.
Address: Commissioners Park, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: As part of the opening ceremonies for the annual Canadian Tulip Festival, the Royal Canadian Air Force will be conducting a fly-by. Alongside the fly-by, there will be a performance by the Central Band Parade.
Accessibility: Street parking on Dow's Lake Road is reserved for those with an Accessible Parking Permit. Dow's Lake Pavilion is an accessible pickup and drop-off zone and an OC Transpo Stop.
Watch movies made by upcoming filmmakers
Price: Free admission, but you must reserve a ticket
When: May 11, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Address: Ottawa Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank St, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This weekend, why not switch your local Cineplex for Ottawa's oldest functional movie theatre to witness the first-ever Ottawa Youth Film Festival? The Ottawa Youth Film Festival is completely run and operated by young Ottawans, as youth from across the city showcase their creativity and compete for prizes.
Accessibility: The Mayfair Theatre has a back entrance that is wheelchair accessible, and if you require its use, you'll need to notify staff 30 minutes before arriving. The main lobby, candy bar, and bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible.
Ottawa Youth Film Festival website
Bike down one of Ottawa's beautiful parkways
Price: Free admission
When: Every Saturday and Sunday from May 11 to October 14, 2024
Address: Kichi Zībī Mīkan Parkway, Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway and the Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Why You Need To Go: Weekend Bikedays hosted by the National Capital Commission are back! Three parkways are closed to cars during the daytime on the weekend to make way for bikes, strollers, scooters, rollerblades, wagons, skateboards and whatever other wheels your heart desires.
Basque in the beauty of the surrounding Ottawa landscape by biking along some of the most beautiful parkways the capital has to offer.
The Kichi Zībī Mīkan Parkway & Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Queen Elizabeth Driveway is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Accessibility: The parkways are wheelchair accessible.
Take someone special to a craft market
Price: Free admission
When: May 12, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Address: Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Ave, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Want something to do with that special lady in your life on Mother's Day? Then why not head to the Glebe Community Centre and browse the 50+ Mother's Day Craft Market vendors? Here, you'll find crafts like hand-made soap, jewelry, knitwear, gifts, and a bunch of other items that your mom will probably love!
Accessibility: The Glebe Community Centre is a fully accessible venue.
Rummage around at a pop-up flea market
Price: Free admission
When: May 11th, 2024, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Address: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park 1015 Bank St, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: 613flea is a constantly changing flea market with over 150 vendors from across the capital. Vendors range from offering vintage clothes, pottery, henna, paintings and essentially anything you can think of. Whether you just want to "window shop" or if you want to actually shop, 613flea is the perfect place to spend your Saturday morning/afternoon.
Accessibility: The Aberdeen Pavilion is a fully accessible venue.
Peruse a nearby farmers market
Price: Free admission
When: May 11, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Address: 2821 8th Line Road, Metcalfe, ON
Why You Need To Go: Start off your Saturday morning right by checking out the Metcalfe Farmers Market. Peruse through any of the market's 40+ vendors, who are selling everything from fresh produce and hand-made crafts, to ready-to-go meals and snacks.
Accessibility: Free parking is available and the venue is wheelchair accessible.
Dance the night away at Major's Hill Park
Price: Free admission
When: May 10, 2024, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Address: Major's Hill Park, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Are you feeling restless after a long week at work? If so, why not head over to Major's Hill Park and join Bachata Obsession's monthly social dance event among the tulips? It's a great way to unwind and let the music transport you for the evening in one of Ottawa's most elegant and popular parks.
Accessibility: Major's Hill Park is mostly accessible, however there are some parts of the park that have cobblestone roads.
Get gardening while enjoying live music
Price: Free admission
When: May 11, 2024, from 10 a.m until 1 p.m.
Address: 2391 Pépin Court, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Are you a "green thumb" eager to return to gardening? SeedLing Saturday is a must for any gardener; check out various seedling and food vendors, head over to the seedling exchange table, talk to expert gardeners, and listen to live music.
Check out a craft market
Price: Free admission
When: May 12, 2024, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Address: York St and Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Byward Market's biweekly craft market, hosted by Minerva Ottawa, is finally back for the season. Visitors can check out over 40 vendors selling all types of handmade crafts, including jewelry, spice blends, hard cider, art, home decor, and plenty of locally made products.
Accessibility: The Byword Market is wheelchair accessible.
Go fishing without needing a license
Price: Free
When: May 11 to 12, 2024
Address: Anywhere in Ontario
Why You Need To Go: You need a special license to go fishing in Ontario, except four times a year when fishing is permitted without a license. Mother's Day Weekend is one of those weekends! So grab your fishing rod and go fishing wherever your fisherman's heart desires.
Tulip season in Ottawa is truly one of the prettiest times of the year, so make sure to take a moment to admire the beauty of spring!
It's safe to say that there are plenty of activities to get up to this weekend!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.