Here are twelve free things to do in Ottawa this long weekend that'll keep you entertained and not financially destitute.
Enjoy the final weekend of the Tulip Festival
Price: Free admission
When: May 10 to 20, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Address: Commissioners Park, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This weekend is your last chance to check out the beautiful tulip displays at the world's largest tulip festival.
As well as majestic flower displays, you can also expect free family-friendly movie screenings in the park, as well as delicious food options from a variety of vendors.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Canadian Tulip Festival website
Visit a century-old public market
Price: Free admission
When: Every day until October 31, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Address: 366 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Tired of doing your groceries at big name stores? Try heading over to the market. Parkdale Public Market is Ottawa's century-old public market offering "fresh produce, flowers, plants, and shrubs to area residents seven days a week."
On the weekend, additional vendors join the market selling different varieties of ready-to-go meals and more.
Parkdale Public Market website
Watch Shakespeare's "Hamlet" at the Gladstone
Price: Pay what you can (a hat will passed around at the end of the show)
When: May 16 to 18, 2024, from 7 p.m. each night and a 2 p.m. show on Saturday
Address: The Gladstone, 910 Gladstone Ave, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Company of Adventurers is an Ottawa-based youth theatre company performing their all-girls rendition of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." The production is a fundraiser for The Gladstone Theatre, which is a non-profit that houses Ottawa-based indie theatre groups.
Accessibility: The Gladstone is wheelchair accessible and a scent-free environment
The Gladstone website
Take part in a celebration of Asian communities
Price: Free admission
When: May 18, 2024, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Address: 25 Rue Laurier, Gatineau, QC
Why You Need To Go: Visit the 17th annual Experience Asia event — a celebration of Asian communities living in Gatineau. There will be vendors selling all kinds of food from all corners of Asia, as well as live music and dance performances.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Experience Asia event page
Feast on some ribs
Price: Free admission
When: May 17 to 20, 2024
Address: Clarke Field, 93 Houlahan St, Barrhaven, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Do you smell that smoky goodness in the air? We are now entering Ribfest season, which means Barrhaven Ribfest and Poutine will be back for the entirety of the long weekend.
Go ahead and devour a whole thing of ribs, you know you want to.
Barrhaven Ribfest and Poutine Facebook page
Get your blood pumping with an early morning workout
Price: Free
When: Every Friday from 6:29 a.m. until 7 a.m.
Address: 72 Arboretum, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Want to get your blood pumping to start the long weekend off right? Arboretum Hill Club is a weekly early-morning fitness group that accepts everyone, from weekly regulars to tourists just passing through. The exercises change each and every Friday to keep you on your toes.
Arboretum Hill Club Eventbrite
Attend Ottawa's first Pakistani food festival
Price: Free admission
When: May 18, 2024, from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Address: Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Dr, Greely, ON
Why You Need To Go: Salam Pakistan Canada is the country's leading Pakistani community organization, and this weekend they're introducing Ottawa's first ever Pakistani Food Festival event. There will be live music, cooking competitions, henna stalls, and tons of delicious Pakistani food.
Accessibility: Greely Community Centre is a wheelchair accessible venue
Salam Pakistan Canada website
See live entertainment at Kemptville Buskerfest
Price: Free admission
When: May 18, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Address: Prescott St, Kemptville, ON
Why You Need To Go: Kemptville's Buskerfest is less than an hour's drive outside of Ottawa and is a must-see this weekend.
Head over to Kemptville's historic downtown and watch all kinds of busker performances such as fire juggling, magic, acrobatics and much more. There will also be loads of food trucks from all over Eastern Ontario. Yum!
Accessibility: Accessible seating is available
Kemptville Buskerfest website
Shop at the largest producer-based farmers market in Eastern Ontario
Price: Free admission
When: Every Saturday between May and October, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Address: Carp Agricultural Fairgrounds, 3790 Carp Rd, Carp, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Carp Farmers Market is Eastern Ontario's largest producer-based farmers market and is held among seriously picturesque red and white barn houses. Check out over 100 vendors selling incredibly fresh produce and other locally made products.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Carp Farmers Market website
Enjoy Tulips at Tanger
Price: Free admission
When: May 20, 2024, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Address: Tanger Outlets Ottawa, 8555 Campeau Dr, Kanata, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Head over to Tanger Outlets in Ottawa for Tulip Festival activities including live music, face painting, games and, of course, beautiful tulips!
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Tanger website
Watch a drone show at the Tulip Festival
Price: Free
When: May 19, 2024, from 9:30 p.m.
Address: Dow's Lake, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: In order to commemorate the Royal Canadian Air Force's 100 year centennial, as well as the end of the Tulip Festival, the RCAF will be performing a 200-drone show this weekend.
Bring your blanket and find a good spot to set up around Dow's Lake, where you'll be able to witness the Tulip Festival's first ever drone show.
Accessibility: Commissioners Park is fully wheelchair accessible and has a great view of Dow's Lake
Canadian Tulip Festival website
If you can, make sure to check out the tulip festivities while you still have the chance, Ottawa.
No matter what you get up to, have an incredibly fun Victoria Day long 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.
