Apr 16-22 (Ottawa)

Good morning, Ottawa! I felt a weight lift off me this week. Spring in Ottawa hits different — maybe because we earned it. After the winter we had, that first real week of warmth feels like a reward. Lighter jackets. Kids running outside without three layers. Leaving the house without losing 20 minutes to the coat closet.

This week is Earth Week and Ottawa is celebrating in a big way — expos, gem shows, community cleanups, and so much more. Get out there and enjoy it.

What to Do

Thursday, Apr. 16

• 🛍️ Signatures Originals Spring Craft Sale | FREE for kids 12 & under | EY Centre, Hall 3, Nepean
  A uniquely Canadian handmade marketplace with 150+ makers and designers. Half-price adult admission after 5 PM on Thu/Fri.

• 💎 Ottawa Rock N' Gem Show | $3 (Ages 5 & under FREE) | EY Centre, Hall 4, Nepean
  Crystals, fossils, minerals and gemstones across 400+ tables. Family admission $7 — high educational value for budding geologists.

Friday, Apr. 17

• 🛍️ Signatures Originals Spring Craft Sale | FREE for kids 12 & under | EY Centre, Hall 3, Nepean
  A uniquely Canadian handmade marketplace with 150+ makers and designers. Half-price adult admission after 5 PM.

• 💎 Ottawa Rock N' Gem Show | $3 (Ages 5 & under FREE) | EY Centre, Hall 4, Nepean
  Crystals, fossils, minerals and gemstones across 400+ tables. Family admission $7.

• 💃 Breakthru Dance Challenge | FREE to watch | Algonquin Commons Theatre, Nepean
  A competitive dance event running Friday through Sunday — a great free outing to watch talented young performers.

Saturday, Apr. 18

• 📚 Orleans Wood Book & Bake Sale | FREE | Orleans Wood Elementary School, Orléans
  Browse gently used books, puzzles and games, and pick up delicious baked goods. A great community morning out.

• 🌍 River Ward Earth Day & E-Waste Depot | FREE | Hunt Club Riverside Park Community Centre, South Ottawa
  A full day of eco-activities including a bike rodeo, guided nature walks, free BBQ, invasive plant workshop and e-waste drop-off.

• 🥋 Free Self Defense Community Workshop | FREE | Ages 13+ | Routhier Community Centre, Downtown
  A co-ed functional self-defense workshop covering tactics, techniques and mindset for safety and empowerment. All skill levels welcome.

• 🎬 The Croods 3D | $ | Ottawa Family Cinema, East Ottawa
  The Crood family ventures into a wild new world — with a cartoon before the show, door prizes and 3D on the big screen.

• 📚 The Big Book Sale | FREE | Meadowlands Public School, Nepean
  Browse a huge selection of used books — a great way to stock up for spring reading season.

• 🚂 RMEO Modular Rally | FREE | 90 William St W, Smiths Falls
  A day of model railroading featuring layouts from local legends. Kids love watching the little trains go!

• 🎬 Movie Night: Lilo & Stitch | FREE | Queenswood Heights Community Centre, Orléans
  Free neighbourhood movie night — bring the kids, bring friends, and enjoy a relaxing evening close to home.

• 💪 YMCA Community Day | FREE | Taggart Family Y & Clarence-Rockland Y
  Free day passes at two YMCA locations — enjoy open pool, open gym, fitness classes, balloon animals and more. One day only!

• 🧒 Ottawa Parent & Child Expo | $10.60 (Ages 2 & under FREE) | Nepean Sportsplex, Nepean
  Ottawa's largest parent and child expo — PAW Patrol and Bluey meet-and-greets, bounce slides, animal presentations and more.

• 🧠 Youth Mental Health Community Forum | FREE | Youth 12+ & parents | 110 Hazel St, Westboro
  A "Prepared & Positive" forum for parents and youth to discuss mental wellness with expert speakers and local resources.

• 💃 Breakthru Dance Challenge | FREE to watch | Algonquin Commons Theatre, Nepean
  Competitive dance event running through Sunday — a great free outing to watch talented young performers.

Sunday, Apr. 19

• 🎨 Creative Sundays | FREE | All ages | Ottawa Art Gallery, Downtown
  Drop-in art activities led by gallery educators — explore the current exhibition then get creative in the studio. All materials provided.

• 🌍 U of O Earth Week Kickoff | FREE | All ages | University of Ottawa Campus, Downtown
  A week-long celebration kicking off with environmental workshops and interactive activities across campus. Offered in English and French.

• 👶 St. Laurent Complex Family Drop-in | FREE | Ages 0-6 | St. Laurent Complex, East Ottawa
  Breastfeeding and parenting support session in a community setting — great for weekend socialization in the East End.

• 💃 Breakthru Dance Challenge | FREE to watch | Algonquin Commons Theatre, Nepean
  Final day of the competitive dance event — a great free outing for families who love dance and performance.

Monday, Apr. 20

• 🎶 NACO Bursary Semi-Finals | FREE | All ages | Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, Downtown
  Eight young Canadian musicians compete in winds, brass, percussion and timpani. No tickets or registration required — just show up!

Tuesday, Apr. 21

• 👶 Toddler Tuesdays at the NAC | FREE | Ages 18 months–5 years | Peter A. Herrndorf Place, NAC, Downtown
  High-energy morning of singing, dancing, games and storytelling led by professional arts instructors. No registration needed.

• 🎻 Under the Tuscan Moon – Ronald McDonald House Fundraiser | $ | All ages | Office of Councillor Wilson Lo, Barrhaven
  A cello and piano duo playing Spanish music to support RMH Ottawa — a lovely way to introduce kids to classical instruments.

• 🌱 Manotick OPL Seed Swap | FREE | All ages | Manotick Branch OPL, Rural Ottawa
  A community-driven exchange of garden seeds to prepare for spring planting. Drop-in format — great for families learning about sustainable gardening.

Wednesday, Apr. 22

• 💎 Ottawa Rock N' Gem Show | $3 (Ages 5 & under FREE) | EY Centre, Hall 4, NepeanFinal day — crystals, fossils, minerals and gemstones across 400+ tables. Family admission $7.

Final Week of Maple Syrup Season

🍁 Fulton's Sugar Bush and Maple Shop | $ | Pakenham, Rural Ottawa
Daily from Feb 28 to April 19
Sleigh rides, taffy, outdoor trails, and maple shop featuring unique maple culinary and spa products from local businesses.

🍁 Vanier Sugar Shack (Vanier Museopark) | $ | Vanier, East Ottawa
Feb 15–April 19 | Fri-Sun 9 AM–2 PM (no reservations) | Wed-Fri (group reservations)
Canada's only operating urban sugar shack! Features quality local food in an enchanting setting. Don't miss the FREE Vanier Sugar Festival with music, activities, and maple taffy.

Thanks for reading! See you back here, next week!