Apr 23-29 (Ottawa)

Mayhem turns 1🥳 I don’t live on a street like the one I grew up on in the ’90s. No one’s popping by with a casserole, no spontaneous street hockey to get the kids outside, no one to chat with about sleep training, postpartum, or school lunches.

I started Mayhem because I was tired of feeling isolated as a mom.

One year ago, I hit send on the very first edition. Today, we’re reaching 10,000+ families across 22 municipalities and I’m still a little in awe of that.

It turns out there’s a whole community out there waiting, you just have to find them. This newsletter is my attempt to make that a little easier. Less doom scrolling, more connection.

If you’ve been here since the beginning, or if you’ve shown up to even one event you found in these pages — thank you. I’d genuinely love to hear from you. Hit reply and tell me what you’d like to see more of, less of, or just say hi. I read every single one.

Thank you for an incredible year. 🧡

What to Do

Thursday, Apr. 23

• 👶 Centrepointe In-person Playgroup | FREE | Ages 0–6 | 9:30–11:30 AM | Centrepointe Child Care Services, NepeanEarlyON-style playgroup for children and caregivers focused on social play. Indoor shoes required; no outside food allowed.

• 📚 Family Storytime & Stay and Play | FREE | Ages 0–6 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Ottawa Public Library, RichmondThirty minutes of thematic stories followed by thirty minutes of open social play for toddlers. No registration required.

• 🎵 Ottawa Grassroots Festival: Céleste Lévis | FREE | All ages | 7:30–8:15 PM | 30 Cleary Ave, WestboroMulti-day community music festival kicks off tonight with Céleste Lévis performing in the Worship Hall.

• 🎵 Ottawa Grassroots Festival: Les Bilinguish Boys | FREE | All ages | 9:00–10:15 PM | 30 Cleary Ave, WestboroLate-night set from Les Bilinguish Boys in the Worship Hall — bilingual energy and good vibes.

Friday, Apr. 24

• 🎵 Ottawa Grassroots Festival: OK Naledi | FREE | All ages | 7:30–8:15 PM | 30 Cleary Ave, WestboroOK Naledi takes the Worship Hall stage for an evening of live music at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival.

• 🎵 Ottawa Grassroots Festival: Alysha Brilla | FREE | All ages | 9:00–10:15 PM | 30 Cleary Ave, WestboroAlysha Brilla closes out Friday night at the Worship Hall — soulful and not to be missed.

Saturday, Apr. 25

• 🍁 Festival of the Maples | FREE | All ages | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | Gore & Foster Streets, PerthA beloved annual celebration with a maple syrup competition, classic car show, Great Canadian Lumberjack Show (10:30 AM, 12:30 PM & 2:30 PM), live entertainment on two stages, a petting zoo, children's obstacle course, and dozens of vendors. A full day out for the whole family.

• 🌟 International Astronomy Day: Public Viewing Session | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM | Chapters, 2401 City Park Dr, OttawaMeet local amateur astronomers, explore telescopes of all shapes and sizes, and watch live astrophotography demos. From sunset to 10pm, observe the Moon, Venus, Jupiter and more. Rain date: Sunday, April 26.

• 🌸 25th Ottawa Indigenous Children & Youth Pow Wow | FREE | All ages | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | EY Centre, 4899 Uplands DrA special day celebrating children, youth, culture, and community — featuring a Baby Welcoming Ceremony, drumming and dancing, cultural teachings, an Indigenous Marketplace, and family activities. Grand Entry at 12:00 PM. All are welcome.

• 🌼 Spring Afternoon Tea at Dickinson House | $35 | All ages | 1:30–3:00 PM | Dickinson House, ManotickA heritage-themed afternoon tea celebrating the blossoms of Manotick's square. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

• 🌱 Spring Fling 2026 | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | 1173 Highcroft Dr, ManotickA fun-filled day in Manotick Village with live performances, a free obstacle course, mini cows at the Manotick Legion, and pipes & drums from the Kemptville Legion.

• 🧲 Rural Roots Discovery Lab | By donation | All ages | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Carambeck Community Centre, Carleton PlaceA youth-led science day packed with hands-on activities — make magnetic slime, build a compass, race static electricity cars, dig for dinosaurs, and explore a portable planetarium. Run by local young entrepreneurs aged 11, 13, and 15.

• 🎬 The LEGO Movie (3D) | FREE | All ages | 2:00 PM | Ottawa Family Cinema, Rideau Community HubA special 3D screening of The LEGO Movie — perfect for a family outing or birthday bash. Free parking behind the auditorium; enter via main doors on St. Laurent Blvd. Snack bar on site.

• 🛍️ Fitzroy Harbour Spring Craft Market | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | Fitzroy Harbour Community CentreThe 4th annual spring market with 40+ local vendors, handmade goods, live music, and food on site. Free entry and free parking.

• 🎵 Ottawa Grassroots Festival: Daytime Programming | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–4:30 PM | 30 Cleary Ave, WestboroA full afternoon of workshops, shows, and panels at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival. Family-friendly daytime programming with a snack bar available in Fellowship Hall.

• 🎵 Ottawa Grassroots Festival: Irish Millie | FREE | All ages | 7:30–8:15 PM | 30 Cleary Ave, WestboroIrish Millie takes the Worship Hall stage for an evening set at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival.

• 🎵 Ottawa Grassroots Festival: Meredith Moon | FREE | All ages | 9:00–10:15 PM | 30 Cleary Ave, WestboroMeredith Moon closes out Saturday night at the Worship Hall.

Sunday, Apr. 26

• 🛍️ Spring Craft Market: Mother's Day Edition | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | National Arts Centre, Downtown OttawaA vibrant showcase of local makers and producers in the heart of the capital. Accessible venue with onsite parking available (fee).

• ⛸️ Stars on Ice 2026 | $25+ | All ages | 4:00–6:00 PM | Canadian Tire Centre, KanataA world-class professional figure skating touring show featuring Olympic and world champions. Tickets required via the venue site.

• 🎵 Ottawa Grassroots Festival: Open Mic | FREE | All ages | 1:00 PM | 30 Cleary Ave, WestboroAn open-stage invitation for community members to share music and art, hosted by Quiet Sky. Family-friendly and welcoming to all.

• 🏞️ Lansdowne Farmers' Market | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | Aberdeen Pavilion, The GlebeIndoor market featuring 85+ vendors, live music, and kids' activities. Stroller-friendly.

Monday, Apr. 27

• 🎨 April Mini Maker Event | FREE | Kids | Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, The GlebeA guided craft activity for children within the mall's community hub. Check the link for exact times.

Wednesday, Apr. 29

• ☕ Coffee, Craft & Play | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Pineview Community Hub, 1700 Blair Rd, OttawaA weekly open house social — bring your favourite craft, play cards, work on a puzzle, or just grab a coffee and catch up. A kids' play area is set up in a separate room.

• 🎨 Young Artisan's Club: Bloom & Create | $37.50 | Kids & teens | 5:00–6:30 PM | Art Haven Kanata, KanataA creative workshop where youth explore diverse art styles and spring themes. Part of a 4-week spring series.

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