Winterlude is officially done for the 2026 season, and if you're already feeling the post-festival slump, don't worry. Ottawa's calendar keeps moving. A warmer weekend is ahead, which means it's time to get outside and explore what the city has to offer before spring fully takes over.
Live Music & Arts
Ottawa's arts scene doesn't take a winter break. Check the National Arts Centre (NAC) for upcoming performances, the NAC regularly hosts world-class orchestral, theatrical, and Indigenous arts programming. Smaller venues like the Bronson Centre, Gladstone Theatre, and various ByWard Market spots keep local music and comedy calendars full year-round.
Markets & Food Events
Post-Winterlude is a solid time to visit Ottawa's indoor markets before the outdoor season kicks back in. Lansdowne's Aberdeen Pavilion hosts regular events, and the Ottawa Farmers' Market moves indoors over winter at various locations. Local pop-up markets are also common through late February and March, follow local event boards for the latest.
Outdoor Activities
The trails are yours. With Gatineau Park still well-snowpacked in early March, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking are still very much on the table. The NCC pathway system around the Ottawa River is a beautiful walk even without snow, and if the weather cooperates, it's an ideal cycling day.
Neighbourhood Exploration
Ottawa's neighbourhoods are worth visiting beyond the tourist trail. Hintonburg, Little Italy, Chinatown, the Glebe, and Old Ottawa South all have independent shops, cafés, and restaurants worth discovering on a wander. A Saturday morning in Westboro, coffee in hand, browsing the independent boutiques, is a genuinely good time.
Watch the Community Boards
Ottawa Is Not Boring, Ottawa Events, and Ottawa Bulletin are all solid social sources for real-time weekend event roundups. The city always has more going on than you might think.
Source: @ottawaisnotboring
