What’s happening in Ottawa this weekend: July 18-20

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

Ottawa Bluesfest

It’s the final weekend of Ottawa Bluesfest at LeBreton Flats.

Here is the look at the headliners for the final three days of the festival:

• Friday: Green Day, The Linda Lindas, Dwayne Gretzky and Los Bitchos
• Saturday: Papa Roach, Daughtry, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and JW Jones
• Sunday: Kaytranada, BadBadNotGood, Tim Baker and Darren Kiely

Bluesfest runs until Sunday. For tickets, visit www.ottawabluesfest.ca.

Atletico Ottawa

Atletico Ottawa hosts the Halifax Wanderers on Friday night at TD Place.

Game time is 7 p.m.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

Ottawa Redblacks

The Ottawa Redblacks host the Hamilton Tiger Cats Sunday night at TD Place.

Game time is 7 p.m.

For tickets, visit www.ottawaredblacks.com.

Ottawa Lebanese Festival

Celebrate the very best in Middle Eastern cuisine this weekend at the Ottawa Lebanese Festival.

The festival celebrates the diversity of the Ottawa-Lebanese community with food, Middle Eastern entertainment and heritage.

The festival runs until Sunday at the St. Elias Cathedral.

Thai Festival Ottawa

Taste, shop and celebrate Thai culture on Saturday at Lansdowne.

The Thai Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit https://www.thaifest.ca/.

Ottawa ChamberFest

It’s the opening weekend for Ottawa Chamberfest.

World-renowned artists take the stage during 10 days of chamber music at venues across Ottawa.

This weekend’s lineup includes:

• Friday: Montreal Horn Stars at the Great Canadian Theatre Company
• Saturday: Gryphon Trio, Music that Made the Movies with pianist Jenna Richards, Julie Nasrallah and Bytown Sea Shanty Collective
• Sunday: Canadian Guitar Quartet: Music of the Americans, Vincent Ho at 50, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada

For tickets and information, visit https://www.chamberfest.com/series/2025/festival-2025/

Festival Parasol

Don’t miss the Festival Parasol on Friday and Saturday at the Hotel-Casino du Lac Leamy in Gatineau.

Friday is the Parasol Beach Party featuring Tropical Disco DJs and Paul LeBlanc on the main stage, while Saturday features the Piknic Electronik.

For more information, visit https://www.festivalparasol.ca/en.

Shenkman Arts Centre

Here is a look at what’s happening at the Shenkman Arts Centre this weekend.

• Saturday: Fetch Local Market

Always a Bridesmaid

The Ottawa Little Theatre presents the farcical comedy “Always a Bridesmaid.”

See the production by Jones Hope Wooten until Aug. 2.

For tickets, visit www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

NCC bike days

National Capital Commission’s weekend bikedays continue all weekend.

The NCC will close the parkways and Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles for active use.

Here is a look at what’s open for cyclists, runners, walkers and other active use:

• Kichi Zībī Mīkan (Vimy Place to Carling Avenue): 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
• Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Queen Elizabeth Driveway (Somerset Avenue to Fifth Avenue: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Touch a Truck

Get up close and personal with industry vehicles and equipment on Saturday at the Nepean Sportsplex.

The Touch-a-Truck event allows people to learn about different types of vehicles used in the landscaping industry.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

FanaticCon

FanaticCon Ottawa is Sunday.

It’s the ultimate day for all pop culture enthusiasts, with vintage toys, comics, retro games, unique art and more.

The event is at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre on Coventry Road.

613flea

613flea returns to Lansdowne on Saturday.

Check out 150 vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is free.

Lansdowne Farmers Market

The Lansdowne Farmers Market is back at Lansdowne on Sunday.

Connect with over 85 local vendors in the historic Aberdeen Square from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Main Street Farmers Market

The Main Street Farmers Market is open for the season.

The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grande Allee Park.

Carp Farmers Market

The Carp Farmers Market is open every Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Metcalfe Farmers Market

The Metcalfe Farmers Market has kicked off a new season.

The market is every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds.

Westboro Farmers’ Market

The Westboro Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The market is located in Byron Linear Park.

Barrhaven Farmers Market

The Barrhaven Farmers’ Market is every Sunday at the Nepean Woods Park and Ride.

The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Original Navan Market

The Original Navan Market is Sunday on Navan Road.

Check out vendors selling produce, breads, cheese, honey, jams, jellies, jewelers, soapers, crafters and more.

Museums

Click on the links for the schedule at museums in Ottawa and eastern Ontario:

• 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

Parliament of Canada Tours

Enjoy a free, guided tour of the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block and the East Block.

For tickets and tour times, visit https://rts.parl.ca/.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience

Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show that takes you on a tour through Centre Block, which has been closed since 2019.

The self-guided tour is 45 minutes.

Tickets are available at no cost at visit parl.ca.

Stewart Park Festival

Downtown Perth comes alive this weekend for the annual Stewart Park Festival.

The three-day festival includes music, a marketplace, a kids area and other activities.

Musical performances include Blackburn Brothers, Lloyd Spiegel, Great Lake Swimmers, Joel Plaskett, Night Sun and Buffalo Rose.

For more information, visit www.stewartparkfestival.com.

Little League U13 Canadian Championships

The best under 13 little league baseball teams are in Kingston until Wednesday.

The Little League U13 Canadian Championships will take place at Cricket Field.

Cornwall Pride Parade and Festival

It’s the 10th year of the Cornwall Pride Parade and Festival.

The parade departs the Cornwall Aquatic Centre at 11 a.m. on Saturday and ends in Lamoureux Park.

The festival features 50 vendors, bouncy castles, a BBQ and live entertainment.

The event is free.

Brockville Ontario Speedway

Saturday night is race night at the Brockville Ontario Speedway.

Racing starts at 7 p.m.

Cornwall Motor Speedway

Sunday is race night at the Cornwall Motor Speedway

Enjoy racing around the quarter-mile dirt track, with the first race at 6 p.m.