10 things to do in Ottawa this weekend – September 3-October 2, 2022

Ottawa Pet Expo at EY Centre

When: October 1 & October 2, 2022
Where: EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive
What time: Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: Adults $20, Youth $12 & Senior $12 Children 6 and Under FREE! • Click here for tickets

Promoting responsible pet ownership across Canada, the Ottawa Pet Expo is hosting a weekend full of pet energy for all to enjoy. Most importantly, for the pet family member to enjoy! Attend talks, watch demonstrations and bring your pet but don't forget to bring your completed pet waiver.

Photo: Ottawa Pet Expo

5^th Korean Film Fest

When: September 27 to Oct 10, 2022
Where: Korean Cultural Centre, ByTowne Cinema, and online
What time: Various times • Click here to see the full schedule
Admission: Free, but registration is required • Click here to register

The Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) presents the 5th Ottawa Korean Film Festival (OKFF), showcasing 11 remarkable Korean features and shorts. The theme of this year's festival is ‘Music and Dance.’ The festival is running in a hybrid format, both in-person and online. 

Desjardins Run to Empower

When: October 1, 2022
Where: Experimental Farm, Winding Lane/Ash Lane
What time: Little Warriors Kids 1K Run: 8:30 am, Ottawa’s Fastest Woman 5K: 9:00 am, Run to Empower Open 5K: 9:30 am (12+)
Admission: 59,99$ adult (25+), 25$ youth (24 and under), 15$ kids • Click here to register 

Run to Empower supports and promotes women’s running in Canada. The event highlights remarkable local talent and includes a performance race for women only. The race also provides an opportunity for everyone to run together to celebrate women’s running while inspiring the next generation of young runners.

Photo: Run Ottawa

Whiskey Ottawa 2022

When: Sept 30 & Oct 1, 2022
Where: Sept 30th Masterclass Series Alt Hotel; Oct 1st Canadian War Museum
What time: Various times
Admission: From $35 • Click here for tickets

Whiskey Ottawa is back for two days. Meet the distillers and learn why whiskeys are a great spirit to enjoy among friends. The event organizer advise attendees to have dinner before the event as there will only be light snacks served. “Smart casual” dress code event. 

Photo: Whiskey Ottawa

Cranium Festival

When: Thursday 29 Sep to Saturday, 1 Oct 2022
Where: Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street; Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Avenue
What time: Various times
Admission: From $ 25 • Click here for tickets 

Cranium Festival is taking place across two venues over three days and features some of the fastest-rising stars in the hip-hop and R&B game. You don’t want to miss out on these performers!

Photo: Cranium

Tagwagi Festival (Indigenous festival)

When: Sept 30th – October 2, 2022
Where: Mādahòkì Farm, 4420 West Hunt Club Road
What time: Various times. Click here for the full schedule
Admission: Reconciliation dinner $150, Workshops from $10 • Click here for tickets

Everyone is invited to reconnect with the land while learning about Indigenous traditions during this beautiful change of season. The second annual Tagwàgi (Autumn) Festival promises authentic Indigenous programming, an Indigenous Makers and Farmers Market, interactive creative workshops, culinary delights, and a chance to meet the rare Ojibwe Spirit Ponies — fun for young and old.

Photo: Tagwagi Festival

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

When: September 30, 2022
Where: Country-wide
What time: All day
Admission: n/a

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Wear orange to honour the thousands of survivors of residential schools. Buildings across Canada will be illuminated in orange from September 30th at 7 pm to sunrise on October 1st. This will include federal buildings such as the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. The one-hour national commemorative gathering will be broadcast live from Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats.

Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal (preseason game)

When: Saturday, October 1, 2022
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr, Ottawa
What time: 7 pm
Admission: From $28.95 • Click here for tickets here

Catch your Ottawa Senators take on the Montreal Canadian in a pre-season match-up! 

Photo: NHL.com

Good2Go

When: Saturday, October 1, 2022
Where: Irene's Pub,885 Bank St.
What time: 8 pm
Admission: $10 • Click here for tickets here

Ottawa punk legends Good2Go are in their 22nd year as a band, and by all accounts, they're as strong as ever. Catch them this weekend live at Irene's Pub.

Photo: Stanley Sharkey

Metcalfe Fair

When: Sept 29th to October 2, 2022
Where: 2821 8th Line Road, Metcalfe
What time: Various Click here for the full schedule
Admission: Weekend passes: Adults $35 Children $12 • Day passes also available • Click here for tickets here

This weekend marks the start of the 166th Metcalfe Fair, presented by the Metcalfe Agricultural Society. Expect to see all your fall fair favourites, including a smash-up derby, heavy horse show, midway rides, musical performances from DW James & The Derringers, Andrew Hyatt, Eastbound of Bytown, and so much more!