Check out this list of events and activities taking place in and around Ottawa this August 2025. Click on the event title for more information.
IRONKIDS | August 1
Confederation Park | Ottawa
Part of IRONMAN Canada’s Race Week celebrations, IRONKIDS Ottawa offers a chance for children ages 1 to 17 to take part in fun, age-appropriate runs. Designed to encourage movement and community spirit, this family-friendly event is an energetic way to introduce kids to the excitement of race week.
Canadian Track & Field Championships Presented by Bell | July 30 – August 3
Terry Fox Athletic Facility | 2960 Riverside Drive
Attend the 2025 Canadian Outdoor Track & Field Championships to experience thrilling athletic performances as Canada’s top athletes compete for a spot in the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Organized by Athletics Canada, this event will showcase U20, Open, and Para Athletics categories.
10-Minute Play Festival | August 1 – 3
Ron Maslin Playhouse | 1 Ron Maslin Way
Kanata Theatre proudly presents its 5th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival! This exciting event features 7 original short plays, each delivering a fresh dose of laughter or drama every 10 minutes. Don’t miss this dynamic showcase of local talent!
The Big Bounce Canada | August 1 – 3
RA Centre | 2451 Riverside Drive
The world’s largest touring inflatable event arrives in Ottawa with a surreal, 900-foot-long playground. Featuring custom attractions like The OctoBlast and Air Space, this bold and bouncy experience delivers high-energy fun for all ages.
John Kofi Dapaah | August 5
National Arts Centre | 1 Elgin Street
Don’t miss this captivating performance by pianist John Kofi Dapaah, whose dynamic style bridges classical and jazz in fresh, unexpected ways. Known for his charisma and rhythmic flair, Dapaah brings a unique voice to the stage, offering an experience that’s as expressive as it is genre-defying. A returning performer at Ottawa’s own Chamberfest, he promises an evening of powerful music that resonates well beyond the final note.
Reptile Extravaganza | August 9
Tanger Ottawa | 8555 Campeau Drive
Swing by Tanger Outlets for a reptile extravaganza! Meet with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TM), catch Ray’s Reptiles in action with Nature’s ninjas, and snag a balloon critter or two!
Water Lantern Festival | August 9
Andrew Haydon Park | 3127 Carling Avenue
The Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope and good memories that you will cherish all your life. It’s a family event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbours come together to create a peaceful and memorable experience.
Celebration Of Canadian Music | August 9
Upper Canada Village | 13740 County Road 2 | Morrisburg
Special all-day programming will bring to life a fantastic variety of 19th-century song, dance and instrumental music. Tune in to music performed, consumed and composed in pre-confederation Canada, take part in an old-fashioned singing school and try your hand (and feet!) at a 19th century dance.
Full Moon Yoga | August 9
Lansdowne Park – Great Lawn | 1015 Bank Street
Open to all levels: free public yoga classes on the lawn under the moonlight. Grab your mat, water bottle, and your yoga buddies!
Ottawa MuslimFest | August 9
Cumberland Heritage Village Museum | 2940 Old Montreal Road
Celebrate 21 years of Muslim arts, featuring local and international performers and artists. MuslimFest comes to Ottawa with a day of creativity, community, and cultural pride at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Enjoy special appearances, surprise guests, and festive fun for all ages.
All Things Bookish Market | August 9
ByWard Market neighbourhood | 366 Parkdale Avenue
Gems, meet local authors, and shop unique finds like blind date books and bookish totes. Enjoy exclusive author signings and more at this outdoor event hosted by PreLoved Pages. Don’t just read – experience.
Twist Fibre Festival | August 8 – 10
Complex Whissell | 530 Charles Auguste Montreuil Street | St-André-Avellin | Québec
TWIST is a unique fibre festival in Québec, Canada, bringing together the most important players in the field. TWIST is an annual event that serves as a showcase of the fibre world and is intended for the general public, enthusiasts, fibre producers, fleece animal breeders, transformers, artists, artisans, professionals and semiprofessionals.TWIST is a 2-day event featuring dozens of workshops, activities, a local food fair, a textile art exhibit with a modern twist and over 125 exhibitors from all trades of the fibre industry.
Navan Fair | August 7 – 10
1279 Colonial Road | Navan
Launched in 1946, this rural celebration has all the countrified events one would expect from a great country fair: animals, tractor display, demolition derby, music, food and more!
Ottawa International Buskerfest | August 8 – 10
Sparks Street | Ottawa
Get ready for a weekend of unforgettable street performances at the Ottawa International Buskerfest — a vibrant celebration of talent, creativity, and live entertainment in the heart of downtown Ottawa! This dynamic festival brings together world-class buskers from around the globe, featuring jaw-dropping acts by acrobats, magicians, musicians, dancers, and more. Set against the backdrop of some of the city’s most lively downtown spots, Buskerfest is your chance to experience incredible art and culture on the streets of Ottawa.
The Great India Festival | August 7 – 10
Mosaic Convention Centre | 2465 St. Laurent Blvd
Experience the multicultural splendor and heritage of India through diverse programming highlighting music, dance, cuisine, wellness and more.
Rhythm Culture Festival | August 9 – 10
Walter Baker Park | 100 Charlie Rogers Place
This annual festival celebrates finding common ground through music and culture, while creating a platform for all ages to experience and learn from each other.
Ottawa and surrounding communities will enjoy Caribbean culture with live local and international artist’s, folk dances, stories, ethnic cuisine, traditional games and more.
Salvadoran Festival of La Pupusa | August 16
Brewer Park | 100 Brewer Way
Celebrate the independence of El Salvador with Salvadoran and Latin American gastronomy, art, culture, and sport. Family-friendly.
Pride Night Market | August 16
366 Parkdale Ave | Ottawa
The Pride Night Market returns for its third year, celebrating the creativity and vibrancy of Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This free outdoor event showcases local queer and trans vendors, performers, and small businesses in a joyful evening of connection and community.
Vankleek Hill Fair | August 14 – 17
Vankleek Hill Fairgrounds | 92 Main Street West
The Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society presents the 178th Vankleek Hill Fair – “Blue Jeans & Country Scenes”.
Masters Indigenous Games | August 14 – 17
Various locations including Lansdowne Park
The Masters Indigenous Games (MIG) offers Indigenous adults (20+) the chance to compete in various sports.
It’s a platform for lifelong physical activity and community engagement. Thousands of Indigenous athletes from around the world will come together to celebrate wellness and showcase their diverse cultures and traditions.
Ottawa Greek Festival | August 14 – 17
Hellenic Event Centre | 1315 Prince of Wales Drive
This annual festival showcases live Greek music, traditional dances, excellent Greek cuisine, language lessons, and demonstrations of all sorts!
Strathcona Summer Faerie Picnics | August 19
Strathcona Park | 25 Range Rd
Cirquonscient returns to Strathcona Park with free evening Faerie Pop-up picnics featuring circus arts and aerial acrobatics. Settle in with a blanket or stop by as whimsical performers enchant audiences in a riverside setting. Enjoy a playful summer evening with some of Ottawa’s top circus and aerial artists.
Magic at the Manor | August 20
Manor Lounge | 292-A Elgin Street
This presentation will highlight moments that are unexplainable and simply unbelievable! Michael presents mind-blowing mental feats, amazing visuals and devious deceptions blended with non-stop audience participation (don’t worry, nothing embarrassing) and plenty of laughs.
Carp Garlic Festival | August 16 – 17
Carp Agricultural Fairgrounds | 3790 Carp Road
Celebrating 35 years of bringing agriculture and community together, the Carp Garlic Festival returns with two days of garlic-themed food, live music, and family-friendly fun. One of the region’s best-loved harvest festivals.
Partage Beechwood | August 20
Beechwood Cemetery | 280 Beechwood Avenue
Partage Beechwood is hosted under the stars and amongst the trees and souls of historic Beechwood Cemetery, this twilight gathering combines community spirit, beautiful surroundings, and culinary magic.
Queers & Beers | August 21
73 York St | Ottawa
Queers & Beers returns to Lowertown Brewery for a casual community gathering in the heart of the ByWard Market. Enjoy craft brews in a welcoming space — indoors or outdoors, weather permitting — designed for queer and trans pub lovers to connect, chat, and feel at ease. All genders and sexualities are welcome at this open event, which encourages meaningful conversation, new friendships, and comfort above all.
Monster Trucks All Out | August 23
3629 Carp Road | Carp
The Monster Trucks All Out Tour returns bigger than ever to Carp, Ontario. Experience thrilling nonstop action as iconic Canadian monster trucks compete in an electrifying robot battle and high-flying show.
Driven Ottawa Aftermarket Car Show | August 23
EY Centre | 4899 Uplands Drive
Visit the Driven Ottawa Aftermarket Car Show to celebrate Canadian car culture! Featuring over 300 vehicles and displays.
North Lanark Highland Games | August 23
Almonte Fairgrounds | 195 Water Street | Almonte
The Games offer twenty pipe bands, a hundred dancers and champion heavyweight athletes combining to present what is recognized as one of the Ottawa Valley’s premier summer events.
Gaiafest | August 22 – 24
678 Chemin Parent | Wakefield
GAIAFEST returns for 2025 with a weekend dedicated to connection, movement, breath, and music. The festival offers yoga, meditation, workshops, guided movement, acro, breathwork, sports, art, nature, and a diverse musical lineup. Set in the beautiful Gatineau hills, GAIAFEST invites attendees to deepen their connection to the land, community, ancestral roots, and themselves.
Indian Food Festival of Ottawa | August 22 – 24
Clarke Fields Park | 93 Houlahan Street
The biggest celebration of Indian cuisine is making its grand return to Ottawa! Enjoy the sizzling sounds (and tastes) of street food, live music, and community coming together to celebrate the rich and diverse flavours of India. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious first-timer, this is your chance to taste, dance, and celebrate like never before.
Capital Fair | August 15 – 24
Rideau Carleton Raceway | 4837 Albion Road
Featuring a demolition derby, a petting zoo, stunt dogs, and much more!
Nostalgia Music Festival | August 20 – 24
Lebreton Flats | Ottawa
Featuring a demolition derby, a petting zoo, stunt dogs, and much more!
WelshFest on Sparks | August 28
Sparks Street | Ottawa
Experience the vibrant sounds of Wales at WelshFest on Sparks, a free outdoor concert showcasing some of the country’s top talent. Enjoy live performances by Band Pres Llareggub, Welsh of the West End, Pedair, and youth clog dancers presented by the Urdd. Set on Ottawa’s historic Sparks Street, this celebration brings Welsh culture to life through music, movement, and unforgettable energy.
Yowfest | August 29 – 30
Lansdowne Park | 1015 Exhibition Way
YOWFest is a brand-new two-day cultural music festival debuting this summer in Ottawa. Held at Lansdowne Park, the festival celebrates Canadian and global music culture with a different theme each day. Expect vibrant performances, diverse sounds and an unforgettable end-of-summer experience.
Retro Silent Disco | August 30
380 Sussex Drive | Ottawa
The Amazing Silent Disco lands at the National Gallery of Canada for one unforgettable night of retro beats and dancing. Choose between three live DJs spinning 80s, 90s and 00s hits through wireless headphones in a stunning gallery setting complete with lights, visuals and a bar. Already a global sensation, this silent disco experience blends art, music and nostalgia like never before.
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival (FMG) | August 27 – 31
La Baie Park | 988 Saint-Louis Street | Gatineau
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of FMG with concerts featuring popular and emerging artists from Québec, Canada, and beyond. Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities and the unique ambiance created by the presence of hot air balloons, adding a magical touch to the festival grounds.
Ottawa Serbian Festival | August 30 – September 1
1989 Prince of Wales Drive | Ottawa
The Ottawa Serbian Festival celebrates Serbian culture, music, and cuisine with a long weekend of joyful events. This year’s edition features four exciting sport tournaments alongside lively cultural celebrations, promising memorable experiences for all.
Get Started
Get to know Ottawa’s leading real estate agents, and how we make the market work for you.
