Top 10 fun things to do in Ottawa this week
OTTAWA — Navigating the capital's busy summer event schedule is easier than ever with our day-by-day calendar. From local theatre openings to late-night dance music showcases, plan your week with these top 10 activities running from today through Saturday.
🗓️ Monday, July 27
1. Broadway Sensation Takes Over Southam Hall
The National Arts Centre (1 Elgin Street) kicks off a blockbuster week tonight with the touring production of Mamma Mia!. Bringing ABBA’s legendary jukebox hits to life against a sun-drenched Greek island backdrop, the show features powerhouse vocals, spectacular choreography, and a heartwarming narrative. Showing nightly at 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM through August 2, tickets start from $70.26 USD.
🗓️ Tuesday, July 28
2. A Culinary Journey Through the Historic ByWard Market
Explore Ottawa’s oldest commercial hub with the Local Market Food Tour & BeaverTail Tasting, operating daily with flexible morning and afternoon departure times. Meeting at the ByWard Market Pavilion, a local foodie guide takes small groups beyond standard storefronts into historic cobblestone courtyards. The curated tasting menu includes three artisanal savoury samples highlighting regional ingredients, two boutique sweet treats, and finishes with a hot, freshly made Canadian BeaverTail pastry.
3. Uncovering the Secret History of Parliament Hill
Discover the eccentric side of the capital on the Hidden Ottawa Secrets Walking Tour, running 90-minute morning and afternoon sessions daily. Meeting directly outside Parliament Hill (Wellington Street), a charismatic storyteller guides visitors through odd urban legends and historical scandals. The fast-paced tour reveals unusual regional trivia ranging from audacious maple syrup heists and hidden Cold War-era infrastructure to cryptic, encoded symbols left behind by early stonemasons.
🗓️ Wednesday, July 29
4. Illuminated Night Paddles on the Historic Canal
Outdoor adventurers can see the city from a brilliant new vantage point tonight during Kaleidoscope Kayaking. Launching at 8:00 PM on the Rideau Canal, participants are equipped with innovative folding kayaks outfitted with multi-coloured LED underglow lights. The illuminated caravan weaves past Parliament Hill and beneath stone bridges, positioning paddlers perfectly on the water for an unobstructed, front-row view of the mid-week regional fireworks display over the Ottawa River.
🗓️ Thursday, July 30
5. International Rhythm Marathon at the University of Ottawa
The capital welcomes Latin dance communities from across North America as The Zouk and Lambada Marathon 2026 officially gets underway. Taking place from July 30 to August 2 across university campus spaces, this high-endurance weekend intensive packs in over 40 hours of continuous social dancing, specialized masterclasses, and vibrant daytime parties. International DJs spin a seamless, sultry blend of contemporary Brazilian Zouk and traditional Lambada rhythms for registered badge holders.
6. App-Based Escape Puzzles in Rockcliffe Park
Transform the stately streets of Rockcliffe Park into a personal playground today with an Interactive Neighbourhood Exploration Game. Starting outside the Norwegian Ambassador’s Residence, this self-guided smartphone treasure hunt challenges players to crack codes, solve riddles, and unlock historical narratives tied to local architecture and embassies. Available 24/7, the mobile game allows your group to explore at your own pace without rigid tour schedules.
🗓️ Friday, July 31
7. Plant-Based Street Food Meets Local Artistry in Hintonburg
Head west to the historic Parkdale Public Market (366 Parkdale Avenue) this Friday at 5:00 PM for the Vegans Who Snack Food and Art Festival. This open-air community block party features an eclectic lineup of regional food trucks, bakers, and pop-up chefs serving gourmet plant-based street food. Alongside the culinary offerings, independent local artisans will showcase handmade crafts, apparel, and original visual artwork under the evening sky. Admission is free.
8. Jon Kimura Parker Delivers Virtuoso Performance
Classical music aficionados will gather at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (290 Lisgar Street) this Friday at 7:00 PM for an exclusive solo recital by acclaimed Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker. Appearing as a marquee event for Ottawa Chamberfest, Parker's diverse program bridges the classical and jazz worlds, shifting seamlessly from the technical brilliance of Beethoven and Mozart to the complex piano works of jazz legend Oscar Peterson.
9. Emerging Talents Spotlighted at The Rainbow Bistro
The ByWard Market’s legendary home of live music, The Rainbow Bistro (76 Murray Street), hosts the Summer Swelter R&B & Pop Showcase this Friday at 8:00 PM. This lively midsummer showcase highlights up-and-coming Canadian independent artists from Ontario and Quebec. The evening line-up promises soulful live contemporary R&B sets, modern Indigenous pop vocals, and high-energy indie-folk-rock tracks in an intimate tavern setting. Door cover applies.
10. High-Energy Retro Beats at Club SAW
Nostalgia enthusiasts will gather at downtown’s Club SAW (67 Nicholas Street) this Friday at 10:00 PM for the DANCE PARTY 2000 Throwback. The immersive late-night event celebrates the turn of the millennium with retro visuals and non-stop pop, early-2000s hip-hop, R&B bangers, and pop-punk anthems. Attendees are strongly encouraged to dust off their finest Y2K-era apparel for an unpretentious, high-octane dance floor experience backed by a premier sound system.
🗓️ Saturday, August 1
Weekend Open Itinerary
Saturday serves as a prime opportunity to catch the continuing multi-day marquee events listed above. Head back to the National Arts Centre for a weekend showing of Mamma Mia!, or secure a weekend pass to catch the final stretch of social dancing workshops and parties at The Zouk and Lambada Marathon.
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