We've officially arrived at the final week of school!
If your house is anything like mine, emotions are running high. The kids seem completely tapped out and ready for a change of routine.
We've got both a Pre-K and an SK graduation in our house this week. My 4-year-old was upset that I wouldn't let him wear his Catboy costume to graduation. His argument? "All the girls are dressed like princesses." He was convinced it was a costume party. 😂 Gosh, I love this age.
Whether you're celebrating a graduation or surviving the last few days of lunches, I hope you take a moment to appreciate everything you've accomplished this year.
Canada Day falls on a Wednesday this year, which makes for a bit of an unusual week. I've included a roundup of Canada Day events in this issue for those planning ahead. I'll also be sending another newsletter on Monday with even more Canada Day activities, plus events happening over the July 4th weekend.
Here's to summer adventures and slower mornings!
P.S. I’m looking for an Ottawa parent to join the Mayhem team! If you're active in local Facebook parenting groups and looking for flexible part-time work (4-6 hours a week), reply to this email — we'd love to hear from you!
What Ottawa is Talking About
🦕 Jurassic Kingdom Ottawa Opens June 26!
Jurassic Kingdom Ottawa is opening at Wesley Clover Parks on June 26 — life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, immersive experiences, and prehistoric fun for the whole family. Save 20% on tickets with code OP20!
🍁 The Canada Strong Pass is Back — Valid June 19 to September 7
The Canada Strong Pass is back for summer 2026! Free admission for ages 17 and under + 50% off for ages 18–24 at national museums. Free entry to all Parks Canada sites + 25% off camping. Via Rail: kids 17 and under travel FREE with an adult. No registration needed!
🎨 Canada Day Colouring Contest — Boston Pizza Orléans
Boston Pizza Orléans is running a Canada Day Colouring Contest from June 27–July 1 — open to kids ages 1–10! Prize: reusable water balloons. 🍁
🎬 Japanese Film Week at ByTowne Cinema — June 25–30 & July 2
The Embassy of Japan is bringing 7 incredible films to ByTowne Cinema — from Cannes Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters to Kurosawa's timeless Seven Samurai, plus anime, horror, and more. 325 Rideau St. FREE admission!
Canada Day in Ottawa
8 free Canada Day events in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 1
Canada Day National Noon Ceremony | FREE | 12:00–1:30 PM | LeBreton Flats Park, Downtown Ottawa
National Evening Show | FREE | 8:00–10:00 PM | LeBreton Flats Park, Downtown Ottawa
Tim Hortons Canada Day Fireworks | FREE | 10:00 PM | LeBreton Flats Park, Downtown Ottawa
Parliament Hill Programming | FREE | Ceremonial Guard Band, RCAF Pipes & Drums, Snowbirds flypast | Downtown Ottawa
Supreme Court of Canada Programming | FREE | Om Canada!, cyanotype art, djembe drumming, giant bike | Downtown Ottawa
Old Hull Canada Day Programming | FREE | Gatineau
Canada Day in Kanata | FREE admission to grounds (ride tickets extra) | 11:00 AM–11:00 PM+ with fireworks | Kanata Recreation Complex, 100 Charlie Rogers Place, Kanata
Osgoode Village Canada Day | FREE | Parade, kids zone, inflatables, face painting, live entertainment | Osgoode Village
What to Do
Thursday, June 25 · ⛅ 25°C
🎵 Jukebox Lunch Concert | FREE | 12:10 PM | National Arts Centre, Downtown Ottawa
🎵 Kellylee Story & Song Series: Bobby Previte | FREE | 4:00 PM | National Arts Centre, Downtown Ottawa
🌾 Orléans Farmers' Market | FREE | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Ray Friel Recreation Complex, Orléans
🛍️ Hintonburg Night Market | FREE | 4:00–9:00 PM | 1088 Somerset St W, Hintonburg
🍔 Beach Opening & End of School BBQ | FREE | 5:00 PM | Westboro Beach, Westboro
🍔 Weekly Community BBQ | FREE | 5:30 PM | Brantwood Park, East Ottawa
⚽ Let the Games Begin! — Canadian Care & Share Association Soccer Celebration | FREE | 6:00–7:30 PM | Ottawa MegaDome, 5315 Abbott St E, Stittsville
🎨 Free Thursday Night — National Gallery of Canada | FREE | 5:00–8:00 PM | Downtown Ottawa
🏛️ Free Thursday Night — Canadian Museum of History | FREE | 5:00–7:00 PM | Gatineau
⚔️ Free Thursday Night — Canadian War Museum | FREE | 5:00–7:00 PM | Downtown Ottawa
🦕 Free Thursday Night — Canadian Museum of Nature | FREE | 5:00–7:00 PM | Downtown Ottawa
Friday, June 26 · 🌧 23°C
🥑 Vegans Who Snack Food & Art Festival | FREE | 5:00–9:00 PM | Parkdale Public Market, 366 Parkdale Ave, Westboro
🍔 Multifaith Housing Community BBQ | FREE | Various locations, Ottawa
🪖 Annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard | FREE | Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Dr, Rockcliffe
🧱 Lego Block Party! | FREE | Multiple Ottawa Public Library branches, Ottawa
Saturday, June 27 · 🌦 26°C
🌾 Westboro Farmers' Market | FREE | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | Byron Linear Park, 579 Byron Ave, Westboro
🌾 Carp Farmers' Market | FREE | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM | Carp Fairgrounds, 3790 Carp Rd, Carp
🌾 Beechwood Market | FREE | 203 Stanley Ave, Beechwood
🌾 Alta Vista Market | FREE | St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2345 Alta Vista Dr, Alta Vista
🛍️ Maker's Path Market | FREE | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Mad About Patchwork, 2477 Huntley Rd, Stittsville
🇧🇷 Experience Brazil at Ottawa's Festa Junina | FREE | 2:00–10:00 PM | Mooney's Bay, South Ottawa
💃 The Flamenco for Food and Fun Project | FREE | 3:00 PM | Lindenlea Park Playground, Rockcliffe
🐝 See the Bees | $ | Gees Bees Honey Company, 538 River Rd, Rural Ottawa
🎉 Loretta Ave Block Party | FREE | 955A Gladstone Ave, Hintonburg
🌿 Indigenous Outdoor Market | FREE | Near Maker House, Downtown Ottawa
📡 OARC Field Day 2026 | FREE | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Scouts Canada National Office, Mooney's Bay
🚒 50th Anniversary Fire Station Open House | FREE | 1:00–4:00 PM | Greely Fire Station, 6891 Parkway Rd, Greely
🎭 Shayok Summer Showcase | FREE | Ottawa
🎵 Wakefield Market | FREE | 38 Chemin de la Vallée, Wakefield, QC
🎉 Carleton Place Park Party: Coleman Central Park | FREE | 5:30–8:00 PM | 243 Nelson St E (Junkyard Symphony at 6:00 PM!), Carleton Place
Sunday, June 28 · ⛅ 27°C
🌾 Lansdowne Farmers' Market | FREE | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | Aberdeen Square, Lansdowne, The Glebe
🌾 Barrhaven Farmers' Market | FREE | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Nepean Woods Park & Ride, Barrhaven
🌾 Elgin Street Market | FREE | Boushey Square, 211-A Waverley St, Centretown
🌾 Original Navan Market | FREE | Navan Fairgrounds, Navan
🏛️ Doors Open at Rideau Hall | FREE | 1 Sussex Dr, Rockcliffe
🐾 Animal Helpers | $ | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Ottawa Museum Network, Ottawa
📡 OARC Field Day 2026 | FREE | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Scouts Canada National Office, Mooney's Bay
🎭 Shayok Summer Showcase | FREE | Ottawa
🌿 Indigenous Outdoor Market | FREE | Near Maker House, Downtown Ottawa
🎉 Carleton Place Park Party: Centennial Park | FREE | 2:00–5:00 PM | 169 Joseph St (free BBQ & inflatables!), Carleton Place
Thanks for reading! See you back here, next week!
