If you’re bored this week, don’t blame me. ???? I’ve found a raft of things you can see and do in and around Ottawa over the next seven days. You can shop for fabrics in Hintonburg, catch a comedy in Kemptville or see musical theatre in Kingston. The CN Cycle for CHEO is back. So are the Festival of the Maples in Perth and Ottawa Poutinefest. And your kids can even learn to draw a chicken! Truly, there’s something on this list for just about everyone. Enjoy!
See a funny play in Kemptville
From April 28 to May 1, the North Grenville Community Theatre (formerly the Kemptville Players) is staging a comedy by David Lindsay-Abaire called Ripcord that delves into the relationship between a grumpy retirement home resident and her perpetually chirpy new roommate.
Dance in the street in Carleton Place
Downtown Carleton Place may be under construction, but that’s not stopping the local BIA from hosting a street party called Downtown at Dusk on Thursday, April 28. From 5pm to 8pm, Bridge Street will be hopping with live music, bouncy castles and slides, face painting, balloon-animal makers, and other free fun.
Check out a show for people 55 and over in Ottawa
The Fifty-Five Plus Lifestyle Show (April 29 and 30) is back at the EY Centre in Ottawa after a two-year hiatus. As you meander around booths promoting all sorts of products aimed at those of a certain age, you can enter draws for everything from Redblacks tickets to an RV tour. Live musical entertainment will include Wayne Rostad, Bowser and Blue, and the comedic musical revue Oh Canada Eh!?
Celebrate all things maple in Perth
The Festival of the Maples is back—whether you’d like to celebrate the season of syrup online or in person! Online, you can see videos from featured performers, look up maple recipes and browse an online artisans’ market. In person in Perth on Saturday, April 30, you can shop at vendors’ tables, cheer on cross-cut saw competitors and hear live music by local artists such as Shawn McCullough (see video above).
Bike, skate or walk for a good cause in Ottawa
The CN Cycle for CHEO fundraiser takes to Ottawa’s streets on Sunday, May 1, with 15K, 35K and 70K cycling routes, as well as 2K and 5K routes for walkers. They all start at LeBreton Flats Park and go along the Ottawa River; the longer routes also take riders along the Rideau Canal. Proceeds will support the CHEO Foundation, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Programs and Ronald McDonald House.
See the latest documentaries and Quebec films
This year, you can enjoy the documentaries of the Hot Docs Festival (April 28 to May 8) in Toronto or online. The topics covered by the featured movies range widely, from gay subcultures in Algeria (Café Désirs) to the wild world of bird racing (Million Dollar Pigeons).
Similarly, Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma (April 20 to 30) offers a mix of in-person events in Montreal and online screenings. In this festival, Quebec movies are the focus.
Kick back to classic rock in Nepean, Orleans, Cornwall or Pembroke
I suspect “Sweet City Woman” and “Hit the Road Jack” will be on the playlist when classic CanCon rockers The Stampeders roll into Nepean on Thursday, April 28, Cornwall on Friday, April 29, and Pembroke on Saturday, April 30.
Fans of old-school rock ‘n’ roll may also be interested in the Legends Show, which pays tribute to Connie Francis, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis. It’s at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe in Nepean on Friday, April 29, and at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Sunday, May 1.
Shop for pottery in Kingston, paintings in Arnprior or art on Arlington
The Kingston Potters’ Guild is holding its annual spring show and sale at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning from April 28 through May 1.
In Arnprior, the ARTPrior Gallery is set to close its doors on Saturday, April 30. Shoppers are invited to drop by to pick up one or more of the remaining works by 17 artists before the gallery shutters.
And on Saturday from 10am to 3pm, the Arlington Art Market will see 40 vendors setting up shop on Arlington Avenue between Bank and Kent in Ottawa’s downtown Centretown neighbourhood.
Have some laughs at TD Place
Longtime CBC funnyman Rick Mercer is hosting a Just for Laughs night of standup comedy at TD Place on Saturday, April 30. Joining him on stage will be comedians Dave Merheje, Eman El-Husseini and Ivan Decker.
Browse for bikes in Montreal
With some 200 exhibitors showing off the latest cycles and promoting bike trips around the world, the Montreal Bicycle Show (April 29 to May 1) is a great opportunity to get yourself equipped for two-wheeled adventures this summer. It’s happening at the Olympic Stadium.
Catch a folk concert in Almonte (or online)
Peterborough singer/songwriter Evangeline Gentle opens for fellow singer/songwriter Ian Sherwood—known his multi-instrumental virtuosity and storytelling skills—in a show in Almonte on Saturday, April 30. It’s part of the Folkus concert series. You can see the show in person at the Almonte Old Town Hall or watch it online.
Learn to draw chickens at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Have a budding artist in the family? The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is holding two workshops this weekend to help young artists learn to draw or paint a chicken—and learn about some of the museum’s feathered residents in the process! The English drawing workshop on Saturday, April 30, with artist June Steube is aimed at kids aged 12 and up, while the French watercolour workshop on Sunday, May 1, with Madeleine Denis is designed for kids aged 10 to 14. Advance registration required for both events.
Find fab fabrics in Hintonburg
Attention needleworkers: About 70 vendors will be selling fabrics galore and other sewing-related materials at the Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market on Saturday, April 30, from 10am to 3pm. Admission is $3 and it takes place at the Hintonburg Community Centre (just east of the Parkdale Market).
Check out local talent in Kingston
Everyone involved in the diverse Juvenis Festival of the arts (April 27 to May 7) is aged 30 or younger, but shows are open to all ages. Events this year include a Battle of the Beats, a spoken-word event, all sorts of musical theatre productions and a storefront art gallery.
Nosh on poutine in Ottawa
Got the munchies? The Ottawa Poutine Fest at Ottawa City Hall (April 28 to May 1) is a great chance to get your curds-and-gravy fix (along with craft beer and live music). There’s even a poutine-eating contest…if you dare.
Immerse yourself in ideas online
Blue Metropolis is a huge multilingual event in Montreal that bills itself as a celebration of books and ideas. This year, it’s being split across two weeks. The online version (April 28 to May 4) includes screenings of movies from the Montreal Israeli Film Festival, free streaming interviews with Rosemary Sullivan and Gloria Steinem, and more. The in-person version of the event runs next weekend (May 5 to 8).
Hit a flea market at Lansdowne Park
The ever-popular 613flea market is back at Lansdowne Park this weekend on Saturday, April 30, from 10am to 4pm, with a wide selection of vintage goods, handcrafted items and off-the-wall finds. Masks are recommended.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais, northern New York state and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.