Ottawa– It’s Spring in the City and there’s a lot to do in and around Ottawa, especially now that the Canadian Tulip Festival is here, until May 23, with many events taking place at Lansdowne Park.
Book your tickets for comedy, music and theatre shows at Centrepointe Theatres and Shenkman Arts Centre, Tickets are on sale now for the 2016-17 season. Hurry, some performances can sell out quickly.
Spring weather means increased programming at City museums, the Ottawa Archives and Ottawa’s many galleries including Karsh-Masson Gallery. Don’t forget to visit the Barbara Ann Scott Gallery and the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame at City Hall.
It’s not too early to register for a summer camp, and it’s not too late to sign up for a spring class. If you’re not sure if fitness is for you, May is a great month to Try it! for free.
Programs are also offered at Ottawa Public Library branches citywide.
Visit Spring in the City regularly for updates on what’s happening this week and in the season to come.
Canadian Tulip Festival at Lansdowne Park, runs until May 23
- Electric Tulip, fireworks and music, May 22
- International Pavilion Friendship Stage, daily
- Music at the Aberdeen Pavilion, daily
- Aberdeen Tulip Pavilion, indoor tulip and art display, daily
Spring in the City 10-day look ahead:
Lansdowne
- Canadian Tulip Festival, runs until May 23
- Dave Smith’s Wild West Jamboree, Horticulture Building, May 19
- Ottawa Farmers’ Market, Aberdeen Square, May 22
- Swirl and Twirl, Horticulture Building, May 26
Until May 20, you can enjoy two hours of free on-site parking at Lansdowne when you have lunch at any Lansdowne restaurant between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Bring your underground parking garage ticket to a participating restaurant to receive the free parking validation.
Sports and recreation
- Free yoga on Parliament Hill (Wednesdays only) until September 28
- Ottawa Fury FC vs Jacksonville Armada FC, TD Place Stadium, Lansdowne, May 22
- Ottawa Dressage Festival, Wesley Clover Park, May 19 to 21
- Ottawa Champions vs New Jersey Jackals, RCGT Park, May 19 (home opener) to May 23
Music and Theatre
- Pointe of Grace Recital 2016, Centrepointe Theatres, until May 20
- OYP Theatre School Student Spring Showcase, Shenkman Arts Centre, until May 31
- Giant Fiddle Jam Session, May 21
- Ladies Night – Tandem.mu, presented by MIFO, (Sold out), May 20 and 21
- Meet the Artists, Shenkman Arts Centre, May 22
- Hello Dolly!, Centrepointe Theatres, May 26 to 29
- Capital City Dance, Centrepointe Theatres, May 27 and 28
- The Academy of Dance Arts Recital 2016, Shenkman Arts Centre, May 28
Festivals
- Canadian Tulip Festival at Lansdowne, until May 23
- Canada Roars: A Musical Taste of our Canadian Heritage, Algonquin College, May 20 (Sold out)
- Ottawa Dressage Festival, Wesley Clover Park, May 19 to 21
- Festival de la Primavera, ByWard Market, May 20 to 21
- Indonesian Festival, Ottawa City Hall, May 22 and 23
- Serbian Folklore Festival - St. Stefan Serbian Church, May 23
- Asian Heritage Month, various locations, until May 31
Museums and Galleries
- Breaking out (art exhibit), Gallery 112, Ottawa Archives, until June 16
- Firestone Collection and Laura Kaardal: Across the Intersection, OAG Annex (City Hall), until June 26
- Aislinn Leggett – Gathered, Karsh Masson Gallery, until June 5
- Steven Fick: Rebirth, transformation, reconciliation - Trinity Art Gallery, Salon A, May 19 to June 14
- Ottawa Watercolour Society: That's Watercolour! - Trinity Art Gallery, Salon B, May 19 to June 14
Ottawa City Hall
- Indonesian Festival, Jean Pigott Place, May 22 and 23
- Giant Fiddle Jam Session, Marian Dewar Plaza, May 21
- Haitian Flag Day, May 21
- West Carleton March Day, Jean Pigott Place, May 26
Plan your route before heading out to your next event. The City of Ottawa has a number of online tools at ottawa.ca to help motorists, cyclists and transit users get to their destination as easily as possible.
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