50+ Things to Do in Ottawa This Spring: 2026 Events & Festivals
Ottawa knows how to shake off a long winter, and spring 2026 is no exception — the capital is stacking its calendar with festivals, markets, outdoor adventures, and cultural events that make the warmer months worth the wait.
From the world-famous Canadian Tulip Festival to neighbourhood street fairs and waterway paddles, there's genuinely something for everyone. Here's your guide to making the most of Ottawa's spring season.
The Canadian Tulip Festival
No Ottawa spring guide is complete without it. The Canadian Tulip Festival — one of the largest tulip festivals in the world — transforms Commissioner's Park and the Rideau Canal corridor into a sea of colour every May. Millions of blooms, live entertainment, food vendors, and family activities make this a bucket-list event for locals and visitors alike. Mark your calendars: it typically runs mid-to-late May.
Doors Open Ottawa
Architecture buffs and history nerds, this one's for you. Doors Open Ottawa gives the public free access to some of the city's most iconic and normally off-limits buildings — think government halls, heritage sites, and hidden gems tucked behind Parliament Hill. It's one of the best free weekends Ottawa offers.
Farmers Markets Return
Spring means the return of Ottawa's beloved outdoor markets. The Ottawa Farmers' Market kicks back into gear at Brewer Park, while the Parkdale Market ramps up its seasonal offerings. Fresh local produce, artisan goods, and community vibes — it's the city's unofficial welcome-back-to-warm-weather tradition.
Get Out on the Water
As the ice melts, the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River become playgrounds for paddlers. Canoe and kayak rentals open up along the river, and guided tours through the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal are a scenic way to see the city from a new angle. Spring paddling season typically gets underway in April.
Live Music and Arts Events
Ottawa's arts scene hits its stride in spring. Local venues across the ByWard Market, Hintonburg, and Westboro neighbourhoods fill their calendars with live music, theatre openings, and gallery shows. Keep an eye on the National Arts Centre, which runs a packed spring season across multiple performance streams.
Neighbourhood Festivals and Street Fairs
From the Glebe to Orleans, Ottawa's neighbourhoods roll out their own spring celebrations. Community garage sales, street festivals, and pop-up markets bring people out after months of hibernation. These hyper-local events are where you'll find the best homemade food, vintage finds, and genuine Ottawa charm.
Family-Friendly Picks
Spring break and the warmer months bring out a full slate of family activities: kite flying on the grounds of Parliament Hill, nature walks at the Mer Bleue Bog, free admission days at the Canadian Museum of Nature, and splash pad openings across the city's parks as May wraps up.
Plan Ahead
With over 50 events and activities on the spring calendar, it pays to plan ahead. Check To Do Canada's full Ottawa spring guide for dates, ticketing info, and the complete lineup — there's far more than any single weekend can hold.
Ottawa's spring is short and sweet, so get out and make the most of every mild day the capital throws your way.
Source: To Do Canada – 50+ Things to Do This Spring in Ottawa
