What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: May 16-19

CTV News

16-05-2025

Tulips in bloom at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.
Canadian Tulip Festival
The Canadian Tulip Festival continues all weekend at Commissioners Park in Ottawa.
Check out 300,000 blooming tulips at 26 gardens in Commissioners Park at Dows Lake.
Events this weekend include:
Sunday: Vintage Victory Party on Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Preston Street. The Victory Day Celebration includes Vintage Military vehicles and authentic Swing Dancers. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: The fireworks and drone show runs from 9:20 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show will mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.
Saturday-Sunday: The Sens Street Team
Guided Walking Tours daily
Movies in the Park. Enjoy free movies on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Big Bug Boardwalk
ArtEast Ottawa Boutique and Activities
Dutch Pavilion featuring music, games and cultural experiences from the Netherlands
The Tulip Market
Play Zone
Ottawa tulips
The tulips blooming in Ottawa's Commissioners Park on Tuesday. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)
Check out the tulips
The tulips are in bloom across Ottawa. Here are several locations to check out the tulips:
Commissioners Park: The NCC says Commissioners Park is 'a showstopper,' with over 100 varieties of tulips in 30 tulip beds.
The Rideau Canal: Stroll, run or cycle along Queen Elizabeth Driveway and see the tulips.
Downtown Ottawa: The tulips are in bloom at Major's Hill Park, along Confederation Boulevard and at the National War Memorial.
Downtown Gatineau: Tulips are on display near the Alexandra Bridge, in Jacques-Cartier Park and at the Canadian Museum of History.
Tulips
The tulips blooming in Major's Hill Park on Sunday, May 11. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)
NCC bike days
National Capital Commission's weekend bikedays continue all weekend..
The NCC will close the parkways and Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles for active use.
Here is a look at what's open for cyclists, runners, walkers and other active use:
Kichi Zībī Mīkan (Vimy Place to Carling Avenue): 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Queens Elizabeth Driveway (Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street): 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks are inviting fans to Queen's University in Kingston for Fan Fest on Saturday.
Doors open at 12 p.m. at Richardson Stadium. Meet the Redblacks and enjoy the kids zone.
Queen Victoria's Birthday Celebrations
The Upper Canada Village invites you to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday on Saturday.
Activities include military maneuvers, the 1860s athletic games and the Village's 'Queen' in Action.
Barrhaven Ribfest
Celebrate the long weekend with ribs and fun at the Barrhaven Ribfest.
The festival runs until Monday at Clarke Field on Houlahan Street.
Ottawa BlackJacks
The Ottawa BlackJacks tip off a new season Sunday at TD Place.
The BlackJacks host the Niagara River Lions for a 3 p.m. game.
CanGames Table Top Game Convention
Enjoy three fun-filled days at the CanGames Tabletop Game Convention at the Rideau Curling Club.
The event features every table top game you can think of, plus miniatures, board games and more.
National Arts Centre
Here's a look at what's happening at the National Arts Centre this weekend.
Until May 24: NAC English Theatre presents Mahabharata: Karma
May 17-24: Khana & Kaani Community Meal
Saturday: Rhiannon Giddens
Saturday: Curly Strings
Shenkman Arts Centre
Here's a look at what's happening at the Shenkman Arts Centre this weekend.
Saturday: Children of Aladdin – Le Jazz Hot Dance
613flea
613flea returns to Lansdowne on Saturday.
Visit over 150 vendors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Lansdowne Farmers Market
The Lansdowne Farmers Market is back at Lansdowne on Sunday.
Connect with over 85 local vendors in the historic Aberdeen Square from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Street Farmers Market
It's the opening weekend for the Main Street Farmers Market.
The market is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grande Allee Park.
Carp Farmers Market
The Carp Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday is Maple Day, with opportunities to learn about maple syrup from local maple producers.
Metcalfe Farmers Market
The Metcalfe Farmers Market has kicked off a new season.
The market is every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds.
Westboro Farmers' Market
The Westboro Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The market is located in Byron Linear Park.
Museums
Click on the links for the schedule at museums in Ottawa and eastern Ontario:
Parliament of Canada Tours
Enjoy a free, guided tour of the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block and the East Block.
For tickets and tour times, visit https://rts.parl.ca/.
Parliament: The Immersive Experience
Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience.
Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show that takes you on a tour through Centre Block, which has been closed since 2019.
The self-guided tour is 45 minutes.
Tickets are available at no cost at visit parl.ca.
Events Happening in Kingston this weekend
Friday: ONES – The Beatles #1 Hits at the Kingston Grand Theatre
Saturday: Soul of Motown at Kingston Grand Theatre
Sunday: One Man, Three Legends at The Spire
Sunday: Illumination Gala Performance at the Kingston Grand Theatre
Spring into Summer
The City of Kingston invites you to 'Spring into Summer' on Saturday.
Enjoy a day of activities, live music, food and fun, plus fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
The Spring into Summer event will be held at Lake Ontario Park from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fort Henry
The Fort Henry National Historic Site opens for the season on Saturday.
The site is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Enjoy guided tours, artillery firing demonstrations and music of the regiment.
The Brockville Tunnel
The Brockville Railway Tunnel opens for the season this weekend.
The grand opening is Friday at 2 p.m., and the tunnel is open all weekend.
Take a walk through Canada's first railway tunnel and enjoy the light and sound experience.
Kemptville Buskerfest
Enjoy a weekend of street performances in Kemptville.
The Kemptville Buskerfest is Friday night and Saturday in downtown Kemptville.
Free parking is available at the North Grenville Municipal Centre.