Things to do in Ottawa during the Victoria Day long weekend

A bed of tulips in Ottawa on May 5, 2026. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa during the Victoria Day long weekend.

• What’s open and closed in Ottawa on Victoria Day

Canadian Tulip Festival

The tulips are in bloom across Ottawa.

The Canadian Tulip Festival runs until Monday, with over 300,000 tulips blooming at Commissioners Park and around Dow’s Lake.

Check out the Tulip Trek, the Tulip Trail, the Tulip Market, the Arteast Pavilion, the Dutch Pavilion and more.

For more information, visit tulipfestival.ca.

Tulipfest at Saunders Farm

Tiptoe through the tulips at Tulipfest at Saunders Farm.

Nearly half a million tulips burst into bloom at Saunders Farm. Check out the tulip fields, walk the colourful floral displays, enjoy local Dutch-themed food and Saunders Cider, and visit the tulip-themed farm shop.

Tulipfest runs until May 24, with the festival open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For tickets, visit https://saundersfarm.com/tulipfest/.

Ottawa Redblacks Fan Fest

It’s your first chance to see the 2026 Ottawa Redblacks.

The Ottawa Redblacks Fan Fest is Saturday at TD Place, featuring an open practice, family-fun activities and an autograph session.

Fan Fest runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Atletico Ottawa

Atletico Ottawa hosts the Halifax Wanderers FC on Sunday at TD Place.

Game time is 1 p.m.

It’s the Toonie Hotdog Day, with hot dogs for $2.

For tickets, visit https://www.cplsoccer.com/atleticoottawa.

Ottawa BlackJacks

The Ottawa BlackJacks host the Niagara River Lions on Monday at the Arena at TD Place.

Game time is 7 p.m.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

Ottawa Titans

The Ottawa Titans host New York on Monday afternoon at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium.

Game time is 1 p.m.

For tickets, visit www.ottawatitans.com.

Ottawa Charge

The Ottawa Charge and Montreal Victoire meet in Game 3 of the PWHL’s Walter Cup on Monday.

Game time is 6 p.m. at Canadian Tire Centre.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Broadway Across Canada presents Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the National Arts Centre.

The winner of 10 Tony Awards is at the NAC until Sunday.

“Enter a world of splendour and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory!” the NAC website says.

“A world where bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza.”

For tickets, visit https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/38563.

Tartan and Red Surge

See the RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers on Saturday at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

The Tartan and Red Serge – a Canadian Celtic Showcase is a celebration of Celtic and Canadian music and dance.

Performers include the Lyons Sisters Metis Jiggers, the MacLeod Fiddlers, the Governor General’s Foot Guards Brass Ensemble and the RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers of the national capital region.

For tickets, visit https://shenkmanarts.ca/en/tartan-red-serge-rcmp.

National Arts Centre

Here is a look at what is happening at the National Arts Centre this weekend.

• Saturday: Th’owxiya: the Hungry Feast Dish at the Azrieli Studio
• Saturday: Ottawa Jazz Orchestra – Supremely Shorter

Events happening in Ottawa

• Friday: Steve Hofstetter at the Bronson Centre
• Friday: Los Desperados at the Shenkman Arts Centre
• Friday: Wicked Gin Roots – Roots blues/rock bank at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
• Friday: Mainstreet Duo at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
• Saturday: Cinderella in Stepmother’s Revenge at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe
• Saturday: Joel Sauve at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
• Saturday: The Fray at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
• Saturday: Blushing Bridges – as the Rolling Stones at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
• Monday: Anuv Jain – Dastakhat at the Bronson Centre

The Birds and the Bees

The rural comedy The Birds and the Bees is at the Ottawa Little Theatre until May 23.

The show is written by Mark Crawford.

For tickets, visit https://www.ottawalittletheatre.com/the-birds-and-the-bees/.

Barrhaven Ribfest and Poutine

It’s a weekend of ribs, BBQ and poutine in Barrhaven.

The Barrhaven Ribfest and Poutine runs until Monday at Clarke Field on Houlahan Street.

613flea

Spend part of the Victoria Day long weekend exploring the vendors at 613flea.

The popular marketplace is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lansdowne.

The 613flea features eclectic goods, handmade, antiques, vintage clothing, great foods and one-of-a-kinds from local vendors.

Ottawa Polish Fest

It’s a day of Polish food, dancing and fun in the ByWard Market.

Ottawa Polish Fest is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lansdowne Farmers Market

The Lansdowne Farmers’ Market outdoor market season is underway.

Join over 75 vendors at Aberdeen Square at Lansdowne every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Carp Farmers Market

The 36^th season of the Carp Farmers Market is underway.

The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Carp Fairgrounds.

Westboro Farmers’ Market

The Westboro Farmers Market is open every Saturday in Byron Linear Park.

Check out over 60 local vendors between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Main Street Farmers Market

The Main Street Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday.

The producer-only market at Grande Allee Park on Main Street is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stittsville Book Fair

The Stittsville Book Fair is Saturday at the Royal Canadian Legion on Stittsville Main Street.

Checkout the showcase of local literary talent, meet writers and support the local literary scene.

Upper Canada Village

Upper Canada Village celebrates Queen Victoria’s birthday on Sunday.

Check out the Militia Patrols, the Patriotic ceremony, fire engine trials, games and athletic trials, and more.

For tickets and information, visit https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/event/queen-victoria-birthday-celebrations/.

Museums

Visit each museum’s website for details.

• Canadian Museum of Nature
• Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
• Canada Science and Technology Museum
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum
• Canadian War Museum
• Canadian Museum of History
• National Gallery of Canada
• Ottawa Art Gallery
• The Bytown Museum
• The Diefenbunker

Things to do in Kingston

• Friday: Beatlemania at the Kingston Grand Theatre
• Friday-Saturday: Bees! Exhibit at the Pumphouse Museum

Things to do in Brockville

• Friday: Brockville Tunnel Opening Celebration
• Saturday: Brockville Farmers Market on Main Street West
• Friday-Sunday: Brockville Dance Competition at the Brockville Arts Centre

Kemptville Buskerfest

It’s a two-day celebration of street performance in Kemptville.

The Kemptville Buskerfest runs Friday and Saturday in the heart of downtown.

For more information, visit https://kemptvillebuskerfest.ca/.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App