Ottawa's weekends don't get much more packed than this. From a free maple sugar festival to Broadway's hottest touring show, here's how to spend March 28–29.
1. Sugar Festival — Vanier Museopark
📅 Sat–Sun, Mar 28–29 | 10am–5pm | Free admission 📍 521 St-Joseph Blvd, Vanier
The Sugar Festival is one of Ottawa's most beloved spring traditions. Head to Vanier Museopark for a full sugar shack experience — maple taffy pulled fresh on snow, traditional sugar shack meals, a petting farm with live animals, inflatable games for kids, and Indigenous cultural presentations throughout the day. It's completely free, fully outdoors, and genuinely fun for all ages. Dress warm and bring the family.
2. &Juliet — NAC Southam Hall
📅 Fri–Sun, Mar 27–29 | 7:30pm (Sat 2pm matinee) | from ~ 📍 1 Elgin St, National Arts Centre
This is your last chance to catch &Juliet in Ottawa. The Broadway Across Canada touring production retells Juliet's story with a massive pop soundtrack — think Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and more, all written by hitmaker Max Martin. It's loud, fun, and surprisingly moving. Recommended for ages 8+. Grab tickets at the NAC box office or nac-cna.ca.
3. Ottawa Black Bears vs. Georgia Swarm — Canadian Tire Centre
**📅 Saturday, Mar 28 | 7:00pm | from ** 📍 1000 Palladium Dr, Kanata
Ottawa's National Lacrosse League team hosts the Georgia Swarm Saturday night at Canadian Tire Centre. Box lacrosse is fast, physical, and loud — if you haven't been to a Black Bears game yet, this is a great one to start with. The atmosphere at CTC is electric on game nights. Tickets at ticketmaster.ca.
4. Geeked Out Toy & Collectible Sale — Nepean Sportsplex
📅 Sat–Sun, Mar 28–29 | 10am–4pm | Free entry 📍 1701 Woodroffe Ave, Nepean
120+ vendor booths covering anime merch, vintage Lego, comic books, retro video games, vinyl figures, trading cards, and more. Whether you're hunting for something specific or just browsing, Geeked Out always delivers. Free to enter, cash and card accepted at most vendors.
5. Supertramp Tribute — Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe
**📅 Saturday, Mar 28 | 8:00pm | ** 📍 101 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean
A full-production tribute to Supertramp featuring classics like Breakfast in America, The Logical Song, Dreamer, and Give a Little Bit. If you grew up with this music — or just love tight classic rock — this is a great Saturday night out. Tickets at meridiancentrepointe.com.
6. Ukrainian Easter Bazaar — St. John the Baptist Shrine
📅 Saturday, Mar 28 | 10am–4pm | Free 📍 952 Green Valley Crescent, Ottawa
Browse a curated selection of traditional Ukrainian goods: hand-painted pysanky eggs, embroidered clothing, beadwork, candles, beeswax crafts, and homemade food. One of Ottawa's quieter but most charming seasonal traditions. Saturday only.
7. Walk Like a Man (Four Seasons Tribute) — Meridian Theatres
**📅 Sunday, Mar 29 | 7:30pm | ** 📍 101 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean
Round out your weekend Sunday night with a tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Expect Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, and the full catalogue. Tickets at meridiancentrepointe.com.
