May 28-June 3 (Ottawa)

Good morning, Ottawa👋 Something strange is happening around our house. This year, three robins have nested nearby — and a friend of mine from Nepal told me that robins nesting outside your home is a sign of good luck, renewal, and positive life changes. Three of them? Amazing.

We got to watch one set of chicks double in size over the course of a week, their mom airdropping worms straight into their tiny mouths. The kids even dug up worms in the backyard and laid them in front of the nest to help out — though mama did not accept the food delivery.

Another set of bright blue eggs sits outside our window right now. A fluffy mama robin keeps watch every day, protecting them and keeping them warm.

But the third nest didn't make it. Strong winds on Saturday blew it right out of the tree, and sadly, three newly hatched chicks didn't survive.

So I'm taking this as a sign that good luck is on its way — but also a reminder of how fragile and precious life can be.

Ok, enough from the crazy bird lady. Here are your events for the week! 🧡

P.S. I'll be biking the DVP in Toronto for brain health this weekend — support me here 🚴

What Ottawa is Talking About

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!

Hidden Treasures Giveaway Weekend — May 30 & 31
Ottawa's Hidden Treasures Giveaway Weekend returns this Saturday and Sunday — residents give away usable items for free instead of throwing them out. A great way to declutter, find treasures, and reduce waste. Check the link for participating locations!

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 on June 6 & 7, 10 AM–4 PM. Start planning your route now!

Doors Open Ottawa: Diefenbunker Museum — Book Now
Free Highlights Tours at the Diefenbunker on June 6 are now open for registration — 75 feet underground, covering the Blast Tunnel, War Cabinet Room, and Prime Minister's Suite. Spots are going fast — book now!

What to Do

Thursday, May 28 · ⛅ 18°C

🛍️ Hintonburg Night Market | FREE | All ages | 4:00–9:00 PM | 1088 Somerset St W, Hintonburg

🎨 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

🍖 Ottawa Ribfest | FREE entry | All ages | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM | Sparks Street, Downtown Ottawa

🎪 Water Circus Nautilus — Cirque Italia | $ | All ages | St. Laurent Shopping Centre, East Ottawa

Friday, May 29 · 🌦 17°C

🍖 Ottawa Ribfest | FREE entry | All ages | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM | Sparks Street, Downtown Ottawa

🌙 Ottawa Asian Fest Night Market | FREE | All ages | 12:00 PM–12:00 AM | LeBreton Flats, Downtown Ottawa

🌙 Ottawa Chinatown Night Market | FREE | All ages | 2:00–11:00 PM | Somerset St W, Chinatown, Downtown Ottawa

🎪 Water Circus Nautilus — Cirque Italia | $ | All ages | St. Laurent Shopping Centre, East Ottawa

Saturday, May 30 · ⛅ 19°C

🍖 Ottawa Ribfest | FREE entry | All ages | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM | Sparks Street, Downtown Ottawa

🌙 Ottawa Asian Fest Night Market | FREE | All ages | 12:00 PM–12:00 AM | LeBreton Flats, Downtown Ottawa

🌙 Ottawa Chinatown Night Market | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–11:00 PM | Somerset St W, Chinatown, Downtown Ottawa

🌿 Desi Dhamaka — A Celebration of South Asian Arts & Culture | FREE | All ages | 12:00–3:00 PM | National Arts Centre, Downtown Ottawa

🎨 Introduction to Linocut Printmaking | $87.25+tax | Ages 16+ | 1:00–5:00 PM | Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, Rural Ottawa

🦋 Hidden Treasures Giveaway Weekend | FREE | All ages | Various locations, Ottawa

🌸 Canadian Mothercraft of Ottawa Drop-In | FREE | Families | 10:00 AM–12:30 PM | 475 Evered Ave, West Ottawa

🦸 Boston Pizza Orléans: Spidey Superhero Training | $5/person | All ages | 11:00 AM | Boston Pizza Orléans, Orléans

🌟 Community Day with Wilfred Buck | FREE | All ages | 1:30–4:00 PM | Wabano Centre, 299 Montreal Rd, East Ottawa

🎪 Water Circus Nautilus — Cirque Italia | $ | All ages | St. Laurent Shopping Centre, East Ottawa

Sunday, May 31 · 🌦 19°C

🍖 Ottawa Ribfest | FREE entry | All ages | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM | Sparks Street, Downtown Ottawa

🌙 Ottawa Asian Fest Night Market | FREE | All ages | 12:00–8:00 PM | LeBreton Flats, Downtown Ottawa

🌙 Ottawa Chinatown Night Market | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM | Somerset St W, Chinatown, Downtown Ottawa

🧒 Children's Business Fair | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM | Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way, Downtown Ottawa

🌊 Heron Park Community Building Grand Opening BBQ | FREE | All ages | Heron Park Community Building, South Ottawa

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

🌊 Ocean Week Canada Kickoff at the Ottawa Sign | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | The Ottawa Sign, Downtown Ottawa

💃 Zumba on the Hill | FREE | All ages | 4:00–5:00 PM | Parliament Hill, Downtown Ottawa

🌟 Community Day with Wilfred Buck | FREE | All ages | 1:30–4:00 PM | Wabano Centre, 299 Montreal Rd, East Ottawa

🦋 Hidden Treasures Giveaway Weekend | FREE | All ages | Various locations, Ottawa

🎪 Water Circus Nautilus — Cirque Italia | $ | All ages | St. Laurent Shopping Centre, East Ottawa

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