22 things to do in Ottawa this summer

CTV News

12 hours ago

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at some of the major festivals, concerts and events happening in Ottawa this summer.
Ottawa Jazz Festival
The Ottawa Jazz Festival kicks off the summer festival season in Ottawa.
It's the 45th anniversary of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. The festival runs from June 20 to 29, with concerts in Confederation Park, Marion Dewar Plaza and at the National Arts Centre.
The lineup includes The Roots, Gary Clark Jr., Mavis Staples, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Broken Social Scene, Samara Joy, Allison Russell and the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
For tickets and information, visit ottawajazzfestival.com.
Escapade Music Festival
The sounds of electric dance music will fill the RA Centre for the Escapade Music Festival June 20 to 22.
The headliners include The Chainsmokers, Kygo, Subtronics, and The Outlaw.
For tickets and information, visit www.escapademf.com.
Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon boats take over the water at Mooney's Bay Beach for the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival.
The festival runs June 20 to 22.
'The 2025 regatta is a premier race on the North American dragon boat calendar and is a Drag Boat Canada Race Series event,' organizers say.
Besides dragon boat races, there will be food trucks and a number of exhibitors.
For more information, visit https://dragonboat.net/.
Music and Beyond 2025
The 2025 Music and Beyond Festival runs from July 4 to 15 at venues across Ottawa.
'Each year, the festival offers a variety of programming to highlight exciting connections between classical music and other art forms,' organizers say.
The opening gala on July 4 features a Night in Vienna with Karina Gauvin.
For tickets and a list of performances, visit musicandbeyond.ca.
Ottawa Bluesfest
Ottawa Bluesfest takes over LeBreton Flats in July for nine nights of music.
The headliners include:
July 10: Lainey Wilson and The Red Clay Strays
July 11: Hozier and Charlotte Day Wilson
July 12: Turnstile and Pixies
July 13: Shania Twain and Alan Doyle
July 16: Def Leppard, Tom Morello and The Decemberists
July 17: Sean Paul and Peach Pit
July 18: Green Day and The Linda Lindas
July 19: Papa Roach and Daughtry
July 20: Kaytranada and BadBadNotGood
Bluesfest runs from July 10 to 20. For tickets, visit www.ottawabluesfest.ca.
H.O.P.E Volleyball Summerfest
Volleyball takes over Mooney's Bay on July 11 and 12 for the H.O.P.E. Volleyball Summerfest.
One of Ottawa's biggest summer parties features over 10,000 players and 700 volunteers for two days of volleyball.
Musical performances include The Glorious Sons and Sloan.
For more information, visit hopehelps.com.
The Ottawa Lebanese Festival
Celebrate the very best in Middle Eastern cuisine at the Ottawa Lebanese Festival.
Enjoy five days of food, entertainment and heritage from July 16 to 20 at the St. Elias Cathedral.
For more information, visit www.ottawalebanesefestival.com.
Ottawa Chamberfest
Ottawa Chamberfest features a vibrant celebration of chamber music from Canada and around the globe.
Enjoy performances by world-renowned artists from July 19 to July 27 at venues across Ottawa, including Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, the National Arts Centre, Rideau Hall and Tabaret Hall.
For tickets and information, visit www.chamberfest.com.
Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy
Fireworks will light up the sky over the Ottawa River for six nights this summer.
The Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy runs July 30 to Aug. 16 at the Canadian Museum of History.
July 30: The Grand Opening
Aug. 2: Japan
Aug. 6: Australia
Aug. 9: Mexico
Aug. 13: Canada
Aug. 16: The Grand Finale
The festival includes a pyromusical show, food and drinks, entertainment and more.
For tickets, visit feux.qc.ca.
The Great India Festival
Experience the multicultural splendor and heritage of India during the Great India Festival.
The festival runs Aug. 7 to 10.
Ottawa International Busker Festival
Street performers take over Sparks Street for the Ottawa International Busker Festival.
Enjoy three days of performances by over 20 performers at five stages.
Busker Fest runs Aug. 8 to 10 in Ottawa.
Ottawa Greek Festival
Celebrate a day the Greek way at the Ottawa Greek Festival.
The festival runs Aug. 14-17 and Aug. 22-24 at 1315 Prince of Wales Drive.
Enjoy live Greek music, the Zorba show, Odyssey Dance Troupe, the arts court, Greek language lessons, and food.
For more information, visit www.ottawagreekfest.com.
2025 Capital Pride Festival
The 2025 Capital Pride Festival runs from Aug. 16 to 24 in Ottawa.
Events include the Pride Parade on August 24 and the Street Festival on Aug. 23 and 24 on Bank Street.
For a full list of events, visit www.captialpride.ca.
Nostalgia Music Festival
The Nostalgia Music Festival is the ultimate tribute event.
Enjoy music of the 70's, 80's and 90s Aug. 20 to 24 at LeBreton Flats.
The lineup includes The Hip Experience, Pearl Jamming, J.D. Fortune Rocks INXS, the Beach Bums, the Blushing Brides and Carla Sacco.
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
The hot air balloons are the star attraction at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival.
The festival runs Aug. 27 to 31 at La Baie Park in Gatineau.
There are events for the whole family, including an amusement park, night glow, fireworks and entertainment.
The musical lineup includes Flo Rida on Aug. 28, Talk on Aug. 29 and Alessia Cara on Aug. 31.
For more information, visit montgolfieresgatineau.com.
Photo of the Day - Sep. 3, 2013
The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Gatineau, Que. from across the Ottawa river at the Rockcliffe Lookout. (Michel Lanthier/CTV Viewer)
Canadian Tire Centre
Here is a look at the events at Canadian Tire Centre this summer.
June 22: Three Days Grace and Volbeat
July 2-6: Cirque du Soleil presents Ovo
July 29: Katy Perry
Aug. 22: Tate McRae
For more information, visit www.caandiantirecentre.com.
Fair season
Here is a look at the fairs in eastern Ontario during the summer.
June 20-22: Maxville Fair
Aug. 7-10: Navan Fair
Aug. 8-10: Merrickville Fair
Aug. 14-17: Russell Fair
Aug. 14-17: South Mountain Fair
Aug. 14-17: Vankleek Hill Fair
Aug. 14-24: Capital Fair
Aug. 28-Sept. 1: Shawville Fair
Aug. 28-Sept. 1: Perth Fair
Aug. 29-Sept. 1: Stormont County Fair
Ottawa Redblacks
See the Ottawa Redblacks this summer at TD Place. Here is a look at the schedule:
June 29 vs. Toronto Argonauts at 7 p.m.
July 20 vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats at 7 p.m.
July 31 vs. Calgary Stampeders at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 22 vs. Edmonton Elks at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 vs. B.C. Lions at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets, visit www.ottawaredblacks.com.
Atletico Ottawa
Atletico Ottawa will play at TD Place this summer. Here is a look at the schedule.
July 12 vs. Forge FC at 3 p.m.
July 18 vs. Halifax Wanderers at 7 p.m.
Aug. 3 vs. York United at 4 p.m.
Aug. 23 vs. Cavalry FC at 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. Vancouver FC at 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 vs. Pacific at 7 p.m.
Ottawa Titans
The Ottawa Titans play on the following dates at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium this summer.
June 27-29 vs. New Jersey Jackals
July 8-10 vs. Tri-City
July 11-13 vs. Quebec
July 22-24 vs. Down East
July 25-27 vs. Evansville
Aug. 5-7 vs. Trois-Rivieres
Aug. 8-10 vs. Quebec
Aug. 12-14 vs. Florence
Aug. 22-24 vs. Brockton
Aug. 29-31 vs. Tri-City
Ottawa Rapid FC
See the Ottawa Rapid FC at TD Place this summer.
June 21 vs. Calgary at 2 p.m.
July 25 vs. Halifax at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 9 vs. Calgary at 4 p.m.
Aug. 13 vs. Toronto at 7 p.m.
Aug. 24 vs. Vancouver at 2 p.m.
Aug. 28 vs. Halifax at 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 vs. Montreal at 12 p.m.
Ottawa BlackJacks
Here is a look at the Ottawa BlackJacks schedule for games at the Arena at TD Place.
June 28 vs. Montreal at 3 p.m.
July 1 vs. Winnipeg at 3 p.m.
July 17 vs. Edmonton at 7:30 p.m.
July 21 vs. Brampton at 7:30 p.m.
July 26 vs. Saskatchewan at 2 p.m.
July 29 vs. Scarborough at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 2 vs. Calgary at 2 p.m.
Aug. 8 vs. Montreal at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 10 vs. Vancouver at 3 p.m.