May in Ottawa means a new season of colourful florals, outdoor markets, and community races as the city begins to sprout new life. Prepare to get excited about iconic events like Ottawa Race Weekend and the Canadian Tulip Festival. There will also be biking events, rib festivals and many musicals, concerts and shows to look forward to in Ottawa.
Spring has sprung! Here are some of the top things to do in Ottawa this May 2024.
Ottawa Clay Festival
Where: Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa, ON
When: May 3 – 5, 2024
Wander between over 30 booths of potters and discover uniquely made ceramics, from functional items to decorative pieces. Admission is free all weekend.
Tim McGraw - Standing Room Only Tour
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr., Ottawa, ON
When: May 3, 2024
With a career of over three decades, country music icon Tim McGraw brings his Standing Room Only Tour to Ottawa. Experience his energy as you sing and dance to some of his biggest hits and songs from his recently released 17th studio album.
Orleans PoutineFest & Street Food Frenzy
Where: 255 Centrum Blvd., Ottawa, ON
When: May 3 – 5, 2024
Get ready for a food-filled street party in Orleans, where you’ll find classic, gourmet and exotic poutines. There will be nearly 100 types of poutines, other street food, desserts and a new drink garden. Enjoy some games, bring your little ones to the kids’ zone and listen to live entertainment as you eat.
Cheerfully Made Spring Market
Where: Almonte Community Centre, 182 Bridge St., Almonte, ON
When: May 4, 2024
This annual spring market returns to Almonte, featuring a combination of 100 Canadian makers and vintage curators. This year, the market will have a new pop-up indoor cafe, craft workshop, mini Mother’s Day photoshoot, flower market and more.
Ice Cube: ‘Straight Into Canada’ Tour
Where: TD Place, 1015 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 4, 2024
Experience one of hip-hop’s finest, Ice Cube, as he hits the stage in Ottawa. Fellow rapper Xzibit and Peter Jackson will join his performance as special guests.
Carp Farmers’ Market
Where: 3790 Carp Rd., Ottawa, ON
When: May 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024
Farmers market season around Ottawa officially kicks off in May, and you can shop from various vendors every Saturday. Visit the Carp Fairgrounds for one of the largest produce-based markets in Eastern Ontario.
Walk Off The Earth
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 4, 2024
Award-winning Canadian music group Walk Off the Earth continues to push the boundaries of what an artist and an instrument can be. Admire their energetic spirit and hit songs in NAC’s Southam Hall. Get ready to dance and jump!
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra - Pictures At An Exhibition
Where: Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 5, 2024
As part of the orchestra series, Pictures At An Exhibition is a full symphonic concert inspired by a collection bringing forth visions of nature’s beauty. Enjoy a magical night of music at a concert featuring 75 musicians on stage.
CN Cycle For CHEO
Where: Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Pl., Ottawa, ON
When: May 5, 2024
Register for CHEO’s annual non-competitive cycle and walk event and their largest oncology fundraiser – CN Cycle for CHEO. Cycling route options range from 15 to 100 kilometres depending on the level of challenge you desire while enjoying the views along Ottawa’s scenic parkways. CAA is an event sponsor and will have not only a team cycling but a kiosk booth where you can grab some swag and Freezies.
Kathy Griffin: My Life On The PTSD-List
Where: Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Dr., Nepean, ON
When: May 7, 2024
Award-winning comedian Kathy Griffin, known for her fearless jokes and biting satire, has 20 televised stand-up specials. Not to mention the various shows she’s starred in and voiced in, as well as her bestselling books. Her latest live tour is coming to Ottawa this May.
Ottawa Rock N’ Gem Show
Where: EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr., Ottawa, ON
When: May 9 – 12, 2024
Fans of jewels, minerals, crystals, fossils and gemstones will find thousands at Canada’s largest mineral and gem show. Browse beautiful, shiny things and hunt for some hidden treasures.
Canadian Tulip Festival
Where: Commissioners Park, Ottawa, ON
When: May 10 – 20, 2024
Each May, Ottawa is bursting with the colours of thousands of tulips across the city for the Canadian Tulip Festival. To celebrate the historic royal gift of tulips from the Dutch to Canada immediately following the Second World War, Commissioners Park will have over 300,000 tulips. Grab a meal from different food trucks, take selfies with the rainbow blooms, shop for tulip merch, watch movies in the park and walk the blacklight boardwalk each evening.
Ottawa Children’s Festival
Where: Canadian War Museum, Lebreton Flats Park and Arts Court, Ottawa, ON
When: May 10 – 14, 2024
Celebrate the best of live performing arts for kids and help promote the arts as part of children’s curriculum. This annual festival has been exciting to audiences for over three decades, presenting a multi-day theatre, dance, and music showcase. In addition to the family-geared performances, there are educational workshops and activities.
The Australian Bee Gees Show – A Tribute To The Bee Gees
Where: Casino du Lac-Leamy, 1 Blvd. du Casino, Gatineau, QC
When: May 10 and 11, 2024
Any night of the week is Saturday Night Fever when you’re partying with the Australian Bee Gees. Enjoy this epic tribute and sing along to hits like, “Staying Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “Jive Talkin.” Experience a night immersed in the disco era.
Jann Arden & Rick Mercer - The Will They or Won't They Tour
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 11, 2024
Two Canadian legends take the stage for an evening of laughter and unfiltered conversations. These two notable voices will bring an unscripted discussion filled with stories and successes to the capital city.
613 Flea
Where: Aberdeen Pavilion, 1015 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 11 and 18, 2024
Explore an ever-changing marketplace where you can shop for handmade goods, eclectic gifts, antiques, vintage clothing, tasty treats and more. It’s always free to attend.
Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Main Market
Where: Grande Allée Park, 185 Main St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 11, 18 and 25, 2024
The Main Street market is the newest and the fifth Ottawa Farmers’ Market location, where you’ll expect to see many familiar vendors plus some new programming. The other Ottawa Farmers’ Market locations – Westboro, Orleans, and Barrhaven – open this season on various dates in May, and the Lansdowne Market is open on Sundays year-round.
Flower Fun Run
Where: 1001 Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, ON
When: May 12, 2024
As an official event of the Canadian Tulip Festival, you’ll run past thousands of tulips and could win one of the podium prizes for the top racers.
Capital Music Awards
Where: Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave., Ottawa, ON
When: May 16, 2024
Assist in growing and honouring the music community in Ottawa at this annual awards show. This year, there is a new sound engineer award. Enjoy some light refreshments at the pre-show mixer before finding seats for the award ceremony.
Barrhaven Ribfest And Poutine
Where: Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 17 – 20, 2024
You can look forward to more ribs, BBQ, poutine, live music, and a new kids’ play zone.
Cangames
Where: Rideau Curling Club, 715 Cooper St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 17 – 19, 2024
Join the annual gaming convention for three full days of gaming – role-playing games, board games and miniature games. Hundreds of gamers will gather to compete in over 300 games spread across eight-time slots. Saturday features some kids’ games for children eight to twelve years old. There is also a vendor marketplace.
Cole Swindell - Win The Night Tour
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr., Ottawa, ON
When: May 18, 2024
Get decked out in your best country gear, from your cowboy hat to your spurred boots, to enjoy an evening of country music. Country star Cole Swindell is known for hits like “Chillin’ It” and “Single Saturday Night.” Dylan Scott and Meghan Patrick will be opening the evening of music.
Tom Green Standup Comedy Special
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 18, 2024
You can see Canadian comedian and actor Tom Green’s stand-up special, which he’ll be filming here for a Prime Video production.
Six – Broadway Across Canada
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 21 – 26, 2024
A new original Broadway musical that has won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, Six is a celebration of girl power, where the six wives of Henry XIII tell their stories. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the wives take the mic and remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a joyful celebration. You’ll have six days to catch this show in the capital.
Ottawa Titans
Where: Ottawa Stadium, 300 Coventry Rd., Ottawa, ON
When: May 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 31, 2024
Take yourself and your family out to the ball game to cheer for the Ottawa Titans. Have your CAA Membership handy when you’re buying baseball tickets and save on tickets for home games.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
Where: Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Dr., Ottawa, ON
When: May 22 – 26, 2024
Spend an evening at the theatre absorbed in an action-packed mythical adventure featuring familiar Greek gods, based on the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Percy Jackson is a half-blood son of a Greek god who has newly realized powers he cannot control and a pack of monsters on his trail. He becomes the primary suspect when Zeus’s lightning bolt is stolen and needs to find it to prove his innocence and prevent a war of the gods.
Kanata Ribfest And Poutine
Where: 400 March Rd., Ottawa, ON
When: May 24 – 26, 2024
BBQ fans, prepare to get your fingers wonderfully sticky and full of sauce. The Ribfest And Poutine festival is back in Kanata, with tasty ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork, poutine, and more.
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
Where: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W, Ottawa, ON
When: May 25 and 26, 2024
Join Ottawa Race Weekend for a popular multi-day running event with about 50,000 participants competing in various races. Whether you plan to take it easy on the 2K or go big and compete in the marathon, people from around the world meet up in Ottawa for this massive event. You can also watch from along the Rideau Canal or Ottawa River, admiring scenic city locations as you cheer on competitors. There will be live entertainment and refreshments before and after the races.
Great Glebe Garage Sale
Where: The Glebe neighbourhood, Ottawa, ON
When: May 25, 2024
This annual community event has been happening in the Glebe since 1986. The primary vendors of the Great Glebe Garage Sale are the residents, showcasing items for sale on their driveways and front lawns. Nearby shops also host sizeable sidewalk sales, collaborating for one event you won’t want to miss.
Monster Spectacular
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr., Ottawa, ON
When: May 25, 2024
For a night of adrenaline, you can catch Canada’s biggest monster truck tour in Ottawa. The show will feature seven monster trucks, including two times World Champion Bounty Hunter, as well as freestyle FMX, BMX with an X-games champion and lawnmower races.
Ottawa Ribfest on Sparks Street
Where: Sparks St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 30 – June 2, 2024
Explore Ottawa’s pedestrian street for the sauce and smoke this spring and indulge in BBQ goodness at Ottawa Ribfest on Sparks Street. There will be chicken options and food trucks as well as ribs – enjoy while listening to music. It’s free to visit the festival.
Vegans Who Snack Festival
Where: Parkdale Market, 366 Parkdale Ave., Ottawa, ON
When: May 31, 2024
You don’t need to be vegan for a night of indulging in delicious snacks and supporting tasty local businesses. This food festival features over 50 restaurants and shops, so you can browse for gifts as you eat your heart out and enjoy live performances.
City Of OM
Where: Lansdowne Park, 1015 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 31 and June 1, 2024
Namaste! Ottawa’s annual yoga and wellness festival is back, where all fitness levels, from newbies to experienced yogis, can attend. Enjoy a weekend of mindful connection, movement and health through workshops and classes. There will be rock climbing, cooking workshops, other events, and yoga classes.
Ottawa REDBLACKS
Where: TD Place, 1015 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
When: May 31, 2024
Football season is almost here. Catch the pre-season game where the Ottawa REDBLACKS take on the Montreal Alouettes on May 31 before the season kicks off in June. Keep your hopes high for a touchdown regardless of whether you’re a North or Southside fan. Save up on home game tickets and 10% on merch with your CAA Membership.
Don’t forget your CAA Membership before you head out
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