Check out this list of events and activities taking place in and around Ottawa this April 2025. Click on the event title for more information.
Fifty-Five Plus Lifestyle Show | April 4 – 5
EY Centre | 4899 Uplands Drive
An exciting event featuring more than 100 exhibitors, celebrity entertainment, and informative presentations.
Tamal Festival del Tamal | April 5
Horticulture Building at Lansdowne | 1525 Princess Patricia Way
Tamales are a ubiquitous food in Latin America, made with a corn, rice, or plantain-based dough, though the flavours and fillings vary by country. The Latin American community in Ottawa is bringing together as many regional varieties as possible under one roof for this festival!
Ontario Maple Weekend | April 5 – 6
Various locations
Enjoy pancake breakfasts, sugarbush trails, sugar-making demonstrations, taffy on snow, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and more throughout the province of Ontario.
Signatures Originals | April 3 – 6
EY Centre | 4899 Uplands Drive
Visit over 150 of Canada’s best artists, artisans and designers with innovative displays and contemporary designs at this handmade marketplace. Plus, attend this in-person event to meet and learn from Canada’s makers and creatives from across country.
Ottawa Parent and Child Expo | April 5 – 6
Nepean Sportsplex | 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
Join over 5,000 Ottawa parents and families to play, learn and explore! There will be 100 leading local parenting exhibitors, covering toddlers to the teenage years!
National Tartan Day | April 6
Parliament Hill | 111 Wellington Street
Celebrate National Tartan Day on Parliament Hill with lively music and dance! Enjoy a free noon-hour show featuring the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, talented dancers, and special guests. Don your tartan and join the fun at this vibrant celebration of Scottish heritage!
Taste of Little Italy Ottawa | April 8
Preston Event Centre | 523 St Anthony Street
Savour mouth-watering small plates from your favourite Little Italy restaurants, indulge in unlimited samples, and discover unique finds from local retailers. With your ticket purchase, you’ll gain access to a world of diverse and delicious flavours—all in one place.
Global Holistic Wealth Day | April 9
The Westin Ottawa | 11 Colonel By Drive
Global Holistic Wealth Day is celebrated every year on April 9 worldwide. This year, the celebration in Ottawa will take place at the Westin Ottawa Hotel downtown. Hear inspiring speakers, including Keisha Blair, Mother of Holistic Wealth and founder of Global Holistic Wealth Day, as well as Loren Ridinger.
MASC Young Authors & Illustrators Festival | April 8 – 9
Canada Science and Technology Museum | 2421 Lancaster Road
The MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival features an award-winning lineup of Canadian authors and illustrators.
Students in grades 4 to 8 are invited to sign up for one or two days of literary activities, including artist presentations and hands-on master classes, where they will work with a professional author or illustrator of their choice.
Bring your imagination. Leave inspired!
Outaouais Film Festival | April 3 – 11
Various locations | Gatineau
Experience the Outaouais Film Festival, a vibrant celebration of national and international auteur cinema! Enjoy 100+ screenings of feature films, shorts, animations, and documentaries from around the world.
Ottawa Rock N’ Gem Show | April 10 – 13
EY Centre | 4899 Uplands Drive
Calling all rock and nature enthusiasts; discover unique treasures at the Rock N’ Gem Show full of crystals, fossils, gemstones, and more! Invite friends to explore the show and hand-pick your exclusive jewelry and mineral finds.
Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show | April 11 – 13
EY Centre | 4899 Uplands Drive
Meet exhibitors showing docks, builders, contractors, innovative building products, green solutions, decor and style, arts and crafts, food and entertaining, water toys, and more.
FitPalooza | April 12
Collège La Cité | 801 Aviation Parkway
Get ready to sweat, smile, and move at FitPalooza—the high-energy fitness party at Collège La Cité! Join top trainers for energizing workouts, dance fitness, yoga, mini massages, wellness tips, and more. All fitness levels welcome! Stay inspired, stay active, and have a blast!
Ottawa Record Fair | April 12
Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre | 355 Cooper Street
Join music enthusiasts at Ottawa Record Fair V for a day of crate-digging and rare vinyl finds. Early bird access begins at 10 a.m., giving collectors the first chance to explore an extensive selection of records. General admission doors open at 11 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm | April 12 – 13 & April 19
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm | 2452 Yorks Corners Road | Edwards
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for both kids and kids at heart! Help the Easter Bunny find all the lost Easter eggs. Once you have returned the eggs to the Bunnies, they will reward you for your help!
Travel and Vacation Show | April 12 – 13
Rogers Centre Ottawa | 55 Colonel By Drive
Learn all about exciting vacation destinations.
Where The Party At Tour | April 14
Canadian Tire Centre | 1000 Palladium Drive
For over 20 years, Nelly has been a trailblazing force in music and entertainment, seamlessly blending genres like hip-hop and country. He has achieved double-diamond certification, won three Grammys, and delivered countless chart-topping hits. Known for iconic anthems such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” Nelly has collaborated with artists ranging from Tim McGraw to Florida Georgia Line and ventured into fashion, beverages, and television.
Night Market at Next Door | April 17 & 24
Next Door Ottawa | 955A Gladstone Avenue
Discover the Night Market at Next Door in Little Italy! This indoor market is free to attend and open to all, featuring local vendors, delicious eats, and a vibrant atmosphere. Some special events require exclusive tickets—don’t miss out on the fun!
Easter Artisans’ Market | April 19
ByWard Market neighbourhood | Ottawa
Hop into Spring at the Easter Artisans’ Market in ByWard! Enjoy face painting, tie-dye T-shirt making, and meet the Easter Bunny! The first 25 kids get special Easter bundles. Free to attend, but shopping is encouraged. Don’t miss this fun-filled outdoor event by Minerva Ottawa!
Easter at the Bunker | April 19
Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum | 3929 Carp Road
Hop on over to the Diefenbunker for an annual spring event. Families are invited to explore the bunker as you search for signs of spring that the Easter Bunny has left behind and pick up some treats along the way!
Anime Ottawa | April 18 – 20
EY Centre | 4899 Uplands Drive
Get ready to celebrate all things anime! Anime Ottawa brings fans together for epic cosplay, artist showcases, gaming, and more. Meet creators, explore the Exhibition Hall, and dive into the best of anime and pop culture. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious, this is the place to be!
Easter at The Farm | April 18 – 21
The Log Farm | 670 Cedarview Road
Bring your own basket to collect colourful plastic eggs scattered along the forest walking trail, then exchange the eggs for an Easter treat.
Easter Egg Hunt at Valleyview Little Animal Farm | April 18 – 21
Valleyview Little Animal Farm | 4750 Fallowfield Road
Partake in this annual Easter Egg Hunt while enjoy the company of a wide variety of animals and birds up close, such as alpacas to zebus, goats to geese.
Festival Transistor | April 24 – 26
Centre culturel du Vieux-Aylmer | 120 Principale Street
Transistor Festival is presented by Amazon Music. Festival-goers are invited to take Gatineau to celebrate podcasts and sound creation. Whether it is comedy shows or carte blanche given to emerging creators, the festival wants to provide the public with a unique experience.
Fibre Fling Art Show & Sale | April 25 – 26
Kitchissippi United Church | 630 Island Park Drive
Annual art show and sale by Out of The Box Fibre Artists. Creative and innovative works in fibre and mixed media.
Orchidophilia – Ottawa Orchid Show | April 26 – 27
Algonquin College | 1385 Woodroffe Avenue
Whether you’re new to orchids or are already an orchid fanatic, you’ll love learning more at Orchidophilia.
Ottawa Aerial Circus Festival | April 25 – 27
Arts Court | 2 Daly Avenue
Soar into the world of aerial and circus arts at the Ottawa Aerial Circus Festival! Watch breathtaking performances, cheer on thrilling competitions, and take part in exciting workshops. Whether a seasoned performer or a curious newcomer, there’s something for everyone in this high-flying celebration of creativity!
Irish Film Festival Ottawa | April 25 – 27
Arts Court | 2 Daly Avenue
Irish Film Festival Ottawa is a non-profit organization that celebrates Irish culture, language, humour and history through the modern medium of film. Founded in March 2014, the annual film festival showcases recent films of all genres from Irish filmmakers in a three-day event that also incorporates Irish music, dance and other arts.
Orléans PoutineFest | April 25 – 27
Centrum Plaza | 255 Centrum Boulevard
Welcome to the official kickoff to spring in Orléans! This is the Original Poutinefest, featuring over 75 kinds of poutine and curdaliousness.
Outdoor and Adventure Travel Show | April 26 – 27
Nepean Sportsplex | 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
The Outdoor & Adventure Travel Show has something for everyone who loves being outdoors, from paddling and camping to adventure travel and family activities. Enjoy free admission and free parking, see the products, plan the trips and enjoy the presentations on the Adventure Stage throughout this weekend-long event at the Nepean Sportsplex.
Ottawa Grassroots Festival | April 24 – 27
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa | 30 Cleary Avenue
The Ottawa Grassroots Festival is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to cultivating community at the local level. Volunteers, sponsors, artists and festival patrons celebrate, share and learn together in a barrier-free environment at the organization’s annual music festival.
Stars On Ice | April 27
Canadian Tire Centre | 1000 Palladium Drive
Music is at the heart of every figure skater’s performance. When it comes to igniting the crowd, nothing pumps up the energy faster than a good rock classic. This year’s 2025 Stars on Ice tour brings that musical genre to life in a commanding way with an electrifying new theme, Rock Stars on Ice.
Ottawa Black Business Expo | April 27
Rogers Centre Ottawa | 55 Colonel By Drive
The expo is organized to provide a platform for Black-owned businesses, Black-led organizations and service providers to promote their services, sell their products and generate leads to grow their brand. This event will be a great opportunity for members of the community to meet their local businesses, network, shop and enjoy local entertainment.
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