25 Summer Family Activities in Ottawa

Summer is here! This allows for families to spend more time together spend some time doing things together in Ottawa and its surrounding areas. Here is a list of 25 summer family activities in Ottawa for you and your family to attend and enjoy!

Summer Family Activities in Ottawa

There are lots of Ottawa summer family activities to do!

1. All Aboard! with the Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers Sundays May 25, June 29, July 27, August 31 and September 28 from 11 am to 3 pm

Travel back in time to the age of rail with the Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers and participate in a demonstration of their large-scale outdoor model locomotives at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. This program is weather dependent. In the event of inclement weather, the program may be adjusted or cancelled without notice.

2. Ottawa Fringe Festival, June 12-22, 2025

The Ottawa Fringe Festival provides all performing artists, both emerging and established, with the opportunity to showcase their original work and makes the Festival as affordable and accessible as possible to the members of the community.

This is no ordinary adventure! After reading an inspiring story, a museum guide takes children on an imaginary journey through our Solar System — landing on planets along the way. 

3. Mud Hero Ottawa June 21, 2025, 8:30 am – 6 pm

Challenge yourself by participating in one of Canada’s largest obstacle course events, Mud Hero: 12km, 6km, or kids’ event, with multiple obstacles.

4. Summer Solstice Festival, June 21-22, 2025 at MĀDAHÒKÌ FARM

The Summer Solstice Festival is spectacular tourism experience and gathering place in Ottawa’s Greenbelt. MĀDAHÒKÌ, which means “to share land” in Anishinaabe, builds on the growing interest in agritourism, farm-to-table culinary experiences and authentic cultural experiences from an Indigenous perspective.

5. Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, June 20-22, 2025,  Mooney’s Bay Park

The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is a weekend of fun and racing. Visitors will cheer for their favourite dragon boat as teams from local businesses and organizations race each other along Mooney’s Bay. Concerts, food and free family events are planned for everyone to enjoy!

6. Canada Day in Ottawa, July 1, 2025

Numerous events are planned for your family to do to celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa! There will be street entertainers, games, ceremonies and performances throughout the day finishing with a dazzling fireworks display.

Local Canada Day events in Ottawa:

• Canada Day in Barrhaven
• Canada Day in Kanata
• Canada Day Road Races
• Canada Day in Stittsville
• O Canada Orléans

7. Movies in the Parks July to August, 2025 starts at 8 pm -Lansdowne Park – South Court

Bring some friends and enjoy free movie nights in the South Court. Movies take place Thursday evenings at sunset. Some seating is provided but feel free to bring your own chair.

July 3: Zathura Space Adventure
July 10: The Fall Guy
July 17: The Mitchells vs. the Machines
July 24: Twisters
August 7: Despicable Me 4
August 14: The Wild Robot
August 21: Kung Fu Panda 4
August 28: The Fifth Element

In case of rain, movies will take place inside the Aberdeen Pavilion. In the event of extreme weather warnings performances will be rescheduled. Please check the event Facebook page for the most current update.

8. RBC Bluesfest, July 10-20, 2025, Canadian War Museum LeBreton Flats

Ottawa’s RBC Bluesfest is one of the largest international music events in the world. Ottawa Bluesfest provides a world-class event that showcases local, regional, national and international musicians.

9. Music and Beyond, July 11-13, 2025

Music and Beyond is a classical music and arts festival. Each year, the festival offers a variety of programming to highlight exciting connections between classical music and other art forms. Music and Beyond introduces and fosters new audiences as they explore or experience music and the arts. All the while emphasizing and providing opportunities for young people in the community.

10. Ottawa Lebanese Festival, July 16-20, 2024, Saint Elias Centre

The Ottawa Lebanese Festival celebrates the very best in Lebanese food, entertainment, and culture in the National Capital Region.

11. Thai Street Food Festival July 19th, 2025, 11 am – 6 pm.

The Royal Thai Embassy Ottawa proudly presents the annual Thai Street Food Festival is held at the Horticulture Building in Lansdowne Park Discover the Magic of Thailand! Unforgettable journey of flavours, culture, and excitement. Savour authentic Thai cuisine, sway to the rhythm of traditional Thai dance, witness heart-pounding Muay Thai demonstrations, and unwind with a blissful Thai Massage.

12. Lock & Paddle July 19, 2025, Hartwells Lock, 901 Hartwell’s Locks Lane

Join Parks Canada and hundreds of your fellow paddlers for this free mass Lock & Paddle event on the Rideau Canal. Imagine a ‘flash mob’ of colourful canoes and kayaks, descending upon of Hartwells Lock for a celebratory lockage.

13. Fanaticcon, July 20, 2025, Ottawa Conference and Event Centre

Are you a fanatic of gaming, toys, cosplay, comics, entertainment, and more? YES, then Fanaticcon is for you!

14. Carivibe Ottawa Caribbean Carnival- Reach the Beach, July 25-27, 2025, on Petrie Island

The Reach the Beach is Caribbean inspired day Festival on Petrie Island featuring the very best in Tropical Cuisine, Tropical Drinks & Tropical Ice Cream. All mixed with sweet Soca, Dancehall, Reggae and Afro vibes!

15. Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy, July 30-Aug 16, 2025 on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. at the Canadian Museum of History

Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy are so much more than fireworks! It’s also about fiery culinary experiences, prodigious artistic performances, striking digital and multimedia art installations and much more! Join us for one of 6 evenings of programming.

16. The Big Bounce Canada, August 1-3, RA Centre

The Big Bounce Canada is one of the world’s largest touring inflatable event arrives in Ottawa with a surreal, 900-foot-long playground. Featuring custom attractions like The OctoBlast and Air Space, this bold and bouncy experience delivers high-energy fun for all ages.

17. Ottawa International Buskerfest, August 8 – 10, 2025, Sparks Street

Sparks Street transforms into the ultimate stage for amazing street performers at the Ottawa International Buskerfest! This festival brings together various types of performers showcasing their comedic and thrilling skills. Performer such as escape artists,  fire eaters, contortionists, and so much more will be in attendance for visitors to see.

18. PuppetCon by PuppetsUp! Returns August 2026, Almonte

Almonte is home to PuppetCon with a weekend full of hands-on workshops, insightful panel discussions and showcase performances. Focusing on both the entertainment value of puppetry and the development of this art, PuppetCon provides hands-on workshops for adults and children, along with select puppet performances.

19. Water Lantern Festival, August 9, 2025, Andrew Haydon Park

The Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope and good memories that you will cherish all your life. It’s a family event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors come together to create a peaceful and memorable experience.

As the sun begins to set on the evening sky, the Water Lantern Festival begins to shine with the launch of the lanterns on the water as we turn on the water together. Watch your unique lantern drift into the water as it joins other lanterns that bring hope, love, happiness, healing, peace and connection. It’s a night you’ll never forget.

20. Ottawa Greek Festival, August 14-17, 22-24, 2025, 1315 Prince of Wales Drive

The Ottawa Greek festival features delicious greek cuisine, live Greek music, traditional dances, The Zorba Show, a multicultural mights, and lots more!

21. Ottawa Junior Carnival – August 17th, 2025, 3 m to 7 pm – The Stadium at TD Place

The West Indian Youth Association of Ottawa presents the Ottawa Junior Carnival 2025, a celebration of Caribbean Culture, our children, youth and community. Immerse yourself in some of the flavors of the Caribbean, move to the rhythm and beats of Caribbean Music, Take a walk through Tanty’s Garden Carnival Costume Parade. This is a family fun event for everyone to enjoy

22. Allan Haan Manotick Soapbox Derby and Picnic, August 24, 2025 Beaverwood Road next to Centennial Park 

Summer is the time for kids and their parents to use their creativity by building a soapbox cart and racing it in the Allan Haan Manotick Soapbox Derby. This is a fun derby, perhaps not suitable for serious soapbox racing enthusiasts, but anyone 7 or older is welcome to participate. Participants can build their own carts or we have some sponsored carts for those who cannot make one.

MVCA’s Picnic in the Park begins at 11:30 am on the day of the Derby.  It can be found in Centennial Park which is located beside the Manotick Community Centre at 5572 Dr. Leach Drive. There will be activities for children and youth, live music and a barbecue lunch.

23. Latin American Parade and Festival, August 24th, 2025 11 am to 8 pm – Horticulture Building and East Court

The Latin American Community of Ottawa-Gatineau is organizing its annual celebration showcasing the richness of our cultures through its parade on site at Lansdowne Park and the festival located in East Court and inside the Horticulture Building. Enjoy traditional music and dance performances, savor authentic cuisine from across Latin America, and experience the warmth, joy, and hospitality that define the community.

24. Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, August 27-31, 2025

Music. Activities. Fun. Oh, don’t forget the dazzling array of hot air balloons across the sky! The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival attracts visitors from all over the world to see pilots navigate floating works of art in the skies above Canada’s capital region.

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25. Ottawa ComicCon, September 5-7, 2025 – EY Centre

Ottawa Comiccon is a fan convention with multi-genre content: comic books, sci-fi, horror, anime, video games and the entertainment world. Fans have the opportunity come to meet their favourite creators from the world of comics and BD, get their autographs, buy a sketch or thank them for their work. Additionally, one of the biggest draws, fans get to meet the personalities behind their favourite TV shows and movies. Celebrities participate in autograph sessions, photo opportunities and stage appearances.

What to do with the kids on a rainy day? Visit Ottawa Museums!

On a rainy day this summer, enjoy one of Ottawa’s many museums with the family:

• National Gallery of Canada 
• Canadian Museum of History
• Canadian Museum of Nature 
• Canadian Agricultural and Food Museum 
• Canada Science and Technology Museum
• Canadian War Museum 
• Ottawa Art Gallery 

This list will help you plan your family activities in Ottawa this summer! We hope you have enjoy exploring all of the fun in the Nation’s Capital and get to make some special memories!