Things to do in Ottawa this weekend: May 1-3

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario’s (CHEO) largest cycling event raised more than $2 million for pediatric oncology care and research Sunday. (Josh Marano/ CTV News Ottawa)

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa this weekend.

CN Cycle for CHEO

Pedal or walk in support of children, youth and families at CHEO this weekend.

The CN Cycle for CHEO is Sunday morning, starting at the Canadian War Museum.

There’s a 2K walk and a 5K walk, plus cycling events of 15K to the Century Ride.

For more information, visit https://cncycle.cheofoundation.com/.

Rapid FC

The Ottawa Rapid FC play their home opener on Saturday at TD Place.

Game time is 5 p.m.

For tickets, visit www.rapidfc.ca/.

Triumph

Triumph takes the stage at the Canadian Tire Centre Saturday night.

The Rock and Roll Machine Reloaded Tour is set for 8 p.m.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

Ottawa PoutineFest and Mac My Cheese

It’s a weekend of poutine and mac and cheese on the Great Lawn at the RA Centre.

The 10^th anniversary of Ottawa PoutineFest is this weekend at the RA Centre.

The festival runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ontario Butter Tart Festival

Sample a variety of classic and creative butter tarts this weekend at the Ontario Butter Tart Festival.

The festival runs Saturday and Sunday at the RA Centre.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Celebrate Mexican heritage and history on Sunday in the ByWard Market.

The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta features music, cuisine and vibrant folkloric art.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1392852805391145/.

National Arts Centre

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

• On until May 9: The Invisible – Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare
• Friday-Saturday: Empowering Women in the Music Industry artist showcase
• Sunday: Why Sci-Fi with the NAC Orchestra at the NAC Southam Hall
• Sunday: NAC Orchestra – James Ehnes in Recital

Events happening in Ottawa

• Friday: Le Consort Laurentien x Lagrime at MacKay United on Dufferin Road
• Friday: Leith Ross at the Bronson Centre
• Friday-Saturday: Alice by Heart at the Shenkman Arts Centre
• Friday-Saturday: The Little Mermaid by Les Petits Ballets
• Friday: Highway Sunrise at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
• Friday: The Vanduras – Ottawa’s Jayla Kirkey band at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
• Saturday: Lowest of the Low at the Bronson Centre
• Saturday: DadSon Duo at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa
• Saturday: The Windup at the Hard Rock Café
• Sunday: Cattle Decapitation at the Bronson Centre

Ottawa Clay Festival

The Ottawa Guild of Potters presents the Ottawa Clay Festival this weekend at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne.

Check out the spring pottery sale, a lively pottery throw down, pottery demonstrations, a children’s clay area and live music.

The Ottawa Clay Festival runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Jane’s Walk

Jane’s Walk is a series of free neighbourhood walking tours showing neighbourhoods across Ottawa.

The theme for this year’s event in Ottawa and Gatineau is Walk the Story.

For a schedule of walks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, visit https://www.janeswalkottawa.ca/.

Ottawa Orchid Society

The Ottawa Orchid Society’s annual show and sale is Saturday at Algonquin College.

It will feature blooming orchids in stunning and colourful displays and vendors selling plants and supplies.

The show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Building D at Algonquin College.

Capitol City Bloodbath

Ottawa’s premium tabletop miniatures event is Saturday and Sunday at the EY Centre.

The Capitol City Bloodbath Spring 2026 features larger events and player games, along with competitive board games.

613flea

613flea returns to Lansdowne Park on Saturday.

Check out 150 vendors at this ever-changing marketplace between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Fabric Flea Market

The Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market is Saturday at the Fisher Park Community Centre.

Over 80 vendors will be at the market for all your sewing and fabric needs.

Lansdowne Farmers Market

The Lansdowne Farmers’ Market winter market is Sunday at Lansdowne.

Join over 75 vendors inside the Aberdeen Pavilion every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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: James Ehnes at the Isabel Bader Centre
• Saturday: Retro Rewind – 80s and 90s themed roller disco and vintage market at the Memorial Centre
• Friday-Sunday: The Big Art Show at the Tett Centre
• Friday-Sunday: Kingston Potters’ Guild Spring Pottery Sale at the Tett Centre
• Saturday: Homegrown Live Music Festival at various locations across Kingston
• Saturday: A Night on Broadway – the Isabel Voices at the Isabel Bader Centre

Things to do in Brockville

• Saturday: Brockville Farmers Market on Market Street West
• Friday-Sunday: Fulford Place Juried Fine Art Show and Exhibition

Things to do in Cornwall

• Saturday: Morgan Toney with special guest Grahm Lindsay at the Upper Canada Playhouse

Northern Premier Hockey League

The Northern Premier Hockey League’s Outlaw Championship wraps up this weekend.

The championship runs until Saturday at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre.

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