Feb 26-Mar 4 (Ottawa)

Good morning, Ottawa. Is it just me, or is this last stretch of winter absolutely crawling by? I'm so over bundling kids into winter coats, navigating icy sidewalks with a stroller, and spending 45 minutes just to get out the door. But here's the good news: Daylight saving time is next weekend, which means longer evenings, and spring is officially just a few weeks away. We're in the home stretch! Until then, maple syrup season officially kicks off at 5 sugar bushes across the region this weekend, two Coldest Night of the Year charity walks support local families in Kanata and Westboro, Little Heroes Ramadan Workshop welcomes young participants, and Gabby's Dollhouse Live brings the fun to Algonquin Commons Theatre on Friday. Hang in there—we've got this!

What Ottawa is Talking About

City of Ottawa Summer Camp Registration Opens THIS WEEK!
Mark your calendars! City of Ottawa summer camp registration opens Thursday, February 26 at 9 PM. Filter by age and location at register.ottawa.ca to find the perfect camp.

Vanier Sugar Festival Celebrates 40th Anniversary March 9
The Vanier Sugar Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary on March 9! Come enjoy maple taffy, music, and family activities at Canada's only urban sugar shack.

Free Museum Hour Daily at Science & Tech and Agriculture Museums
Did you know? The Science & Tech Museum and the Agriculture Museum both offer free admission every day from 4:00 PM–5:00 PM. Perfect for a quick post-school adventure!

What to Do

Friday, Feb. 27

• 🎨 Drop In Playgroup | FREE | Ages 0-6 | 450 Laurier Ave West, Downtown Ottawa

• 🐱 Gabby's Dollhouse Live! | $ | Algonquin Commons Theatre, Nepean + South Ottawa

• 👕 Swap That Swag | FREE | Anina's Cafe, Downtown Ottawa

Saturday, Feb. 28

• 🎨 Drop In Playgroup | FREE | Ages 0-6 | 75 Waterbridge Drive, Nepean + South Ottawa

• 🎮 Youth & Kids Games & Goodies! | FREE | Blackburn Community Hall, Nepean + South Ottawa

• 🎉 Drop-in Play Social Event | FREE | Orleans Wood Elementary, Orleans

• 🌙 Little Heroes Ramadan Workshop | FREE | Kanata Muslim Association, Kanata

• ❄️ Coldest Night of the Year Walk in Kanata | FREE | John G. Mlacak Community Centre, Kanata

• ❄️ Coldest Night of the Year in Westboro | FREE | Westboro + West End

• 🎬 The Neverending Story | $ | Ottawa Family Cinema

• 🎉 Kisanaa - A Family Day and Black History Month Inspired Celebration | FREE | St. Paul's Anglican Church, Kanata

• 🛍️ Goodbye Winter Market | FREE | NGMC Kemptville, Rural Ottawa

• 📚 Franklin Day | FREE | Cardinal Branch and Spencerville Branch, Rural Ottawa

Wednesday, Mar. 4

• 🎬 History on Film: "Greyhound" | FREE | Manotick Legion, Rural Ottawa

• 👶 Kinburn Community Association Playgroup | FREE | Kinburn Community Centre, Rural Ottawa

Maple Syrup is Here!

🍁 Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm | $ | Edwards, Rural Ottawa
Weekends from Feb 28 to April 12
Heritage sugar shack, tractor rides, animal barn, walking trails, family activity centre, and traditional pancake breakfast at the Pancake House.

🍁 Log Farm | $ | Nepean + South Ottawa
Weekends from Feb 28 to March 29 (plus March Break days)
Pioneer-style working farm with animals, taffy on snow, wagon rides, sap collecting, and self-guided 1860s farmhouse tours. Reservations recommended.

🍁 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!