Ottawa residents scrolling for weekend plans have a lot to choose from this year, and local Instagram account @ottawalist has done the legwork for them. In a recent post, the account shared a roundup of 22 events happening around the capital this weekend, spanning food, music, culture and community markets.
Cross the river for hot air balloons
One of the standout picks is the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, just a short drive from downtown Ottawa. It is one of those events that draws crowds from both sides of the river every year, with early morning and evening launches making for a colorful skyline if the weather cooperates.
Cultural festivals take over the city
The weekend guide also highlights the Viet Moon Festival, a celebration tied to the Mid-Autumn Festival that typically brings lanterns, food vendors and performances to the city. Also on the list is the Ottawa Serbian Festival, which showcases Serbian food, music and dance for anyone looking to explore a different corner of Ottawa's cultural scene. Latin Sparks rounds out the international offerings, bringing Latin American music and dance to the weekend lineup.
Shop local at 613Flea
For those who prefer browsing over dancing, 613Flea is back on the list too. The flea market has become a regular stop for Ottawa residents hunting for vintage finds, local crafts and small-batch goods, and it's a reliable way to spend an afternoon without leaving the city.
The rest of the list
Those four events are just a sample of the 22 total activities @ottawalist compiled in their post, which they described as [Ottawa's] "weekend guide," encouraging followers to swipe through for the full lineup and share it with friends. The account also asked its community to chime in with events it might have missed, a reminder that Ottawa's weekend calendar is often bigger than any single list can capture.
Plan your weekend
With the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, Viet Moon Festival, Ottawa Serbian Festival, 613Flea and Latin Sparks all happening within the same stretch of days, this is shaping up to be a busy one for anyone looking to get out and explore the city. Whether it's cultural festivals, live music or a flea market haul, there's something for nearly every type of weekend plan.
For the complete list of all 22 events, check out the original post from @ottawalist on Instagram.
