June 4-10 (Ottawa)

Good morning, Ottawa👋 

On Sunday, my husband and I rode the DVP for Brain Health — 60km on a car-free highway before the sun came up. Truly epic.

We do occasional date nights, but honestly they've become a bit of a debrief: the kids, the calendar, yawning mid-sentence. This was none of that. Just us, moving, awake, alive. It felt like our pre-kid era. Highly recommend getting out of your comfort zone if you want to feel like yourselves again for a few hours.

Fun fair season is officially here — the Capital Ribfest, Dickinson Days in Manotick, and the Saravah Brazilian Festival are all happening this weekend.

Happy June, Ottawa 🧡

What Ottawa is Talking About

Doors Open Ottawa — June 6 & 7
Doors Open Ottawa is back for 2026 with 89 sites and counting — unlock exclusive access to some of Ottawa's most fascinating spaces, 10 AM–4 PM. Start planning your route now!

Less than 4 weeks of school left!
Scroll to the end of this newsletter for your teacher gift guide 🎁

FREE Summer Soccer Program — Ottawa Cougars
The Ottawa Cougars are running a free outdoor soccer program at Laroche Park all summer long — a great way to get the kids active and outside. Register at the link to secure your spot!

Discover Your Ward by Bike — Friday, June 5 (Limited Spots!)
Environcentre is hosting a free guided bike ride around College Ward as part of Let's Bike Month — starting at Centrepointe Library, 10 AM–12 PM. Bring your own bike and helmet. Spots are very limited — register now!

Under the Sea Colouring Adventure at Staples
Kids ages 5+ can join a free Under the Sea Colouring Adventure at their local Staples — check the link for dates and locations near you. Registration required!

What to Do

Thursday, June 4 · ⛅ 30°C

🎵 Jukebox Lunch Concert: Geneviève RB | FREE | All ages | 12:10 PM | National Arts Centre, Downtown Ottawa

🎪 Dickinson Days 2026 | FREE | All ages | Manotick Village, Manotick

🎨 Free Thursday Night — National Gallery of Canada | FREE | All ages | 5:00–8:00 PM | National Gallery of Canada, Downtown Ottawa

🏛️ Free Thursday Night — Canadian Museum of History | FREE | All ages | 5:00–7:00 PM | Canadian Museum of History, Downtown Ottawa

⚔️ Free Thursday Night — Canadian War Museum | FREE | All ages | 5:00–7:00 PM | Canadian War Museum, Downtown Ottawa

🦕 Free Thursday Night — Canadian Museum of Nature | FREE | All ages | 5:00–7:00 PM | Canadian Museum of Nature, Downtown Ottawa

Friday, June 5 · 🌦 26°C

🎪 Dickinson Days 2026 | FREE | All ages | 4:00–9:00 PM (BBQ, parade, fireworks) | Manotick Village, Manotick

🍖 Capital Ribfest | FREE entry | All ages | RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr, South Ottawa

🍺 Orléans Craft Beer Festival | $ | All ages | Centrum Plaza, 255 Centrum Blvd, Orléans

🛍️ Street Food Showdown | FREE | All ages | All Saints Anglican Church, Westboro

Saturday, June 6 · 🌦 25°C

🎪 Dickinson Days 2026 | FREE | All ages | 7:00 AM–11:00 PM (pancake breakfast, fishing derby, craft market, variety show, music) | Manotick Village, Manotick

🍖 Capital Ribfest | FREE entry | All ages | RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr, South Ottawa

🍺 Orléans Craft Beer Festival | $ | All ages | Centrum Plaza, 255 Centrum Blvd, Orléans

🇧🇷 Saravah Brazilian Festival | FREE | All ages | 11:30 AM–9:00 PM | Ottawa Sign, York St Plaza, ByWard Market, Downtown Ottawa

🏛️ Doors Open Ottawa | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Various locations, Ottawa

🏰 Diefenbunker Museum — Doors Open Free Tours | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | 3929 Carp Rd, Carp (registration required)

🔥 Firefighter Day at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | 2940 Old Montreal Rd, Cumberland

🦦 Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Open House | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | North Gower (registration required)

🏊 Sports 200: Two Days. Everyone Plays | FREE | All ages | Various locations, Ottawa (registration required)

🛶 Ottawa River Canoe Club Open House | FREE | All ages | 1610 Chemin 6th Line, Dunrobin

🦋 Butterfly Week at Fletcher Wildlife Garden | FREE | All ages | Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Prince of Wales Dr, South Ottawa

Sunday, June 7 · ⛅ 23°C

🎪 Dickinson Days 2026 | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM (community BBQ, family music show, duck drop) | Manotick Village, Manotick

🍖 Capital Ribfest | FREE entry | All ages | RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr, South Ottawa

🌯 Shawarma Fest | FREE | All ages | ByWard Market, 73 York St, Downtown Ottawa

🏛️ Doors Open Ottawa | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Various locations, Ottawa

🦦 Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Open House | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | North Gower (registration required)

🏊 Sports 200: Two Days. Everyone Plays | FREE | All ages | Various locations, Ottawa (registration required)

🎨 NCAC Open House | FREE | All ages | 12:00–4:00 PM | Nepean Creative Arts Centre, 35 Stafford Rd, Bells Corners

🌾 Summer Indigenous Craft Market | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM | National Arts Centre, Downtown Ottawa

📖 Ottawa StoryTellers' Signature Series | $ | All ages | Arts Court, Downtown Ottawa

🚛 Meet the Fleet | FREE | All ages | 9:30 AM–12:30 PM | Ottawa Stadium, 300 Coventry Rd, East Ottawa

🌾 Lansdowne Farmers' Market | FREE | All ages | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | Aberdeen Square, Lansdowne, The Glebe

Monday, June 8 · ⛅ 25°C

👶 Westboro Infant Drop-In Playgroup | FREE | Ages 0–12 months | 9:30–11:00 AM | Canadian Mothercraft of Ottawa, 475 Evered Ave, West Ottawa

Tuesday, June 9 · ☀️ 27°C

🎵 OrKidstra Centre Hub End-of-Year Concert | FREE | All ages | 6:30 PM | Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, Downtown Ottawa

The No-Mug Teacher Gift List

Ideas from the hive — and the teachers themselves

Let's be honest — teachers don't need another mug. What they actually want is to feel seen and appreciated. Here are ideas straight from teachers themselves:

The classics done right:

• A handwritten note from your child — keep it specific. "You made math fun this year" will stick with them long after June

• A plant or seedling

• Something sweet from a local bakery

• A fresh bouquet from your neighbourhood florist

• Gift cards — teachers spend their own money on their classrooms more than you'd think. Think Staples, Dollar Store, book store, coffee shop, a local restaurant.

Go the extra mile — the wellness bag:

Fill a simple tote or basket with things that say "you deserve a break":

• Tumbler

• Electrolyte packets

• Face mask + eye mask

• Chapstick + hand cream

• Bath bomb

• Candle

• Gift card

Finish it off with a potted plant or fresh flowers and a handwritten note that says "thank you for helping me grow" — and you have a gift that will genuinely make them tear up.

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