Here are 12 major events to check out in Ottawa this summer
Here are 12 major events to check out in Ottawa this summer
Summer festival season ramps up in Ottawa this week, with several events hosting the first in-person events in more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In-person Canada Day events return to Ottawa on July 1, while the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival and Ottawa Bluesfest will welcome patrons back.
With summer set to start on Tuesday, CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at 12 major events happening in Ottawa this summer.
Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival runs from Tuesday to Sunday at Mādahòkì Farm on Hunt Club Road.
Enjoy some of Canada's best Indigenous talent through music, dance, workshops, food and more at the free, family-friendly event.
For details, visit https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/
TD Ottawa Jazz Festival
The sounds of jazz music will fill the air around Confederation Park for the 40th edition of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.
The festival runs from June 24 to July 3 at Confederation Park, at Marion Dewar Plaza at Ottawa City Hall and other venues around Ottawa.
Performers include Blue Rodeo, Kamasi Washington, Jocelyn Gould, Punch Brothers, Emmylou Harris and the Red Dirt Boys, Wynton Marsalis and Pink Martini.
There will be free shows on Canada Day.
For more information, visit ottawajazzfestival.com.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Ottawa Jazz Festival
Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
The dragon boats return to the waters of the Rideau River for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival runs from June 23 to 26 at Mooney's Bay Park.
Musical acts include The Strumbellas, Serena Ryder, Frown Line and Rebelle.
For more information, visit https://dragonboat.net/.
Paddlers take part in 22nd Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
Escapade Music Festival
Escapade Music Festival takes over Lansdowne Park during the final weekend of June.
The dance music festival runs June 24 to 26, featuring Tiesto, Illenium, Deadmau5, Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, Duke Dumont and Above & Beyond.
For more information, visit https://escapademf.com/.
Escapade Music Festival returns to Ottawa after a pandemic hiatus. Sept. 4, 2021. (Colton Praill / CTV News)
Canada Day
Canada Day celebrations will be held in-person in Ottawa for the first time since 2019, with the main birthday celebrations moving to LeBreton Flats.
Canadian Heritage is hosting Canada's 155th birthday party celebrations on July 1 at LeBreton Flats park, with other events being held at Place des festivals Zibi.
The daytime ceremony at LeBreton Flats will include Chantal Kreviazuk, Lisa LeBlanc, Sebastian Gaskin, DJ Shub, Tenille Townes, Gurdeep Pandher, Kellie Loder and Riit.
The evening ceremony will include Charlotte Cardin, Salebarbes, Johnny Reid, Tenille Arts, Neon Dreams, Walk Off the Earth, William Prince and Sebastian Gaskin.
Fireworks will happen at 10 p.m., with the best views from LeBreton Flats park, Zibi or the surrounding streets, which will be closed to traffic.
For information on Canada Day events, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day.html.
People gather on Parliament Hill for Canada Day entertainment, Tuesday, July, 1, 2014. (Mike Cormier / MyNews)
RBC Ottawa Bluesfest
RBC Ottawa Bluesfest returns to Ottawa for the first time in three years.
The popular Ottawa music festival runs from July 7 to 17 at LeBreton Flats.
The lineup includes Sarah McLachlan, Jack Johnson, Luke Combs, Alanis Morissette, Marshmello, Alexisonfire, Luke Bryan, Rage Against the Machine, Ja Rule and the National.
"We’re happy to finally be able to roll out a fantastic lineup of live acts that will reward the collective patience of so many music fans," Bluesfest executive director Mark Monahan said when the lineup was announced in March. "To show our appreciation for that patience and support, we intend to stage one of our best fests ever."
For more information, visit https://ottawabluesfest.ca/.
A bird's eye view of Bluesfest taken by the festival's official photographer, Steve Gerecke. Courtesy Steve Gerecke / Bluesfest
Ottawa Lebanese Festival
The Ottawa Lebanese Festival celebrates the very best in Lebanese food, entertainment, and culture in the national capital region.
The festival is held at the Saint Elias Centre – 750 Ridgewood Avenue from July 13 to 17.
For more information, visit https://www.ottawalebanesefestival.com/.
Ottawa Chamberfest
Ottawa's chamber music festival returns this summer with a diverse lineup of performers showcasing music that spans genres and generations.
Ottawa Chamberfest runs from July 21 to Aug. 4 at venues across the city of Ottawa.
"Chamberfest is back in full force!" said Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak. "A theme of light overcoming darkness runs through our 2022 festival, with the best and brightest artists gracing our stages. We’ve put together a festival of the magnitude you’ve come to expect from Chamberfest —a great thing for both the artists who create art and the audiences who crave it."
The lineup includes Imani Winds, Nordic Voices, Marion Newman, Rihab Chaieb, Canadian Brass and the Danish String Quartet.
For more information, visit chamberfest.com.
Chamberfest returned in 2021, playing to a maximum of 120 people at the Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre. (Jackie Perez/CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa International Buskerfest
The Ottawa International Buskerfest is set to return to Ottawa July 29 to Aug. 1.
Enjoy four full days, with 140 plus family-friendly shows on Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa.
For more information, visit https://www.sparkslive.com/buskerfest.
Ottawa Greek Festival
Enjoy the tastes, sights, and sounds of Greece as you "Live a day the Greek way" at Ottawa Greek Fest.
Greek Fest will run from Aug. 5 to 7 and Aug. 12 to 15 at the Hellenic Event Centre at 1315 Prince of Wales Drive.
"After two years of a take-out system, we’re thrilled to be back in person this August with a full outdoor festival!" Ottawa Greek Festival said on its website.
"Get ready for delicious Greek food, live music, dancing, and of course - plate breaking!"
For more information, visit http://www.ottawagreekfest.com/.
Capital Pride
The Capital Pride Festival is back live and in-person in Ottawa this summer.
Capital Pride runs from Aug. 21 to 28, featuring the annual Pride Parade, Street Festival, Capital Pride Pageant, drag shows, musical performances, youth events and over 50 community events.
For more information, visit https://capitalpride.ca/.
CityFolk
CityFolk returns to Lansdowne Park in September with two weekends of music.
The popular festival on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne runs from Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17.
The lineup includes Kathleen Edwards, The Glorious Sons, Tim Hicks, JJ Wilde, Black Pumas, Orville Peck, Whitehorse, John Fogerty and Sarah Harmer.
For more information visit https://cityfolkfestival.com/.
Fairs in Ottawa and eastern Ontario
Almonte Fair – July 15-17
Navan Fair – Aug. 4-7
Merrickville Fair – Aug. 5-7
The Capital Fair – Aug. 12-21
Perth Fair – Sept. 2-5
Renfrew Fair – Sept. 8-11
Carp Fair – Sept. 22-25
Metcalfe Fair – Sept. 29 – Oct. 2
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Some emergency rooms across Canada shutting down amid staff shortages
Hospitals overwhelmed by the pandemic’s onslaught are still facing a number of challenges, causing unprecedented wait times in emergency rooms across the country.
'Defeated and discouraged': Airport frustrations sour Canadians' summer travel plans
CTVNews.ca asked Canadians to share their travel horror stories as cancelled flights, delays and lost luggage throw a wrench in Canadians' summer travel plans, due in part to staffing shortages at Canadian airports. Some report sleeping at airports and others say it took days to get to or from a destination.
Gunmen killed in Saanich bank shootout identified as twin brothers
Twin brothers in their early 20s were responsible for the shooting that injured numerous police officers at a bank in Saanich, B.C., earlier this week, RCMP alleged Saturday.
TD 'significantly' downgrades home sale, price forecasts
A new report from TD says Canadian home sales could fall by nearly one-quarter on average this year and remain low into 2023.
Russia claims capture of pivotal city in eastern Ukraine
Russia's defence minister said Russian forces took control Sunday of the last major Ukrainian-held city in Ukraine's Luhansk province, bringing Moscow closer to its stated goal of seizing all of Ukraine's Donbas region.
Calgary's new 'Museum of Failures' aims to spark creativity
It's been said no one's success is complete without failure, but a new international exhibit in Calgary is proving that even some of the most talented innovators had some of the worst ideas for consumers.
Importing dogs from more than 100 countries to be banned in Canada
Animal rescue groups are criticizing a new policy by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that will ban the import of dogs from more than 100 countries.
Dwindling salmon stocks mean endangered B.C. orcas are going hungry, researchers say
Researchers in British Columbia say the province's endangered southern resident orcas have not been getting enough food for years, with some of the worst bouts of hunger occurring since 2018.
Tsitsipas calls Kyrgios bully after Wimbledon hubbub, loss
Nick Kyrgios cursed at the Wimbledon chair umpire and asked, 'Are you dumb?' He demanded to see a Grand Slam supervisor after questioning why his opponent, Stefanos Tsitsipas, didn't forfeit their ever-contentious, never-boring match for angrily hitting a ball into the stands after dropping the second set.
Atlantic
-
N.B. woman facing impaired driving charge after SUV collides with RCMP vehicle
A 50-year-old New Brunswick woman is facing an impaired driving charge following a head-on collision with a fully marked RCMP vehicle in the village of Tracadie.
-
N.S. man charged after allegedly ramming RCMP vehicle, fleeing the scene: police
A 32-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly drove into an RCMP vehicle before fleeing from police.
-
Staffing shortages, hospital closures to blame for long wait times at Maritime emergency departments
Longer than usual wait times are being felt at emergency departments across the Maritimes this long weekend.
Toronto
-
This man arrived from Calgary 16 days ago. He is still looking for his bags at Toronto Pearson airport
As unclaimed luggage continue to pile up at Pearson International Airport, one local resident has been looking for his bags for 16 days after arriving in Toronto.
-
Doctor prepared to take legal action if Ontario doesn't expand COVID-19 booster eligibility
Ontario is not yet allowing most adults under the age of 60 to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot, prompting one doctor to prepare legal action to get the province to widen eligibility.
-
26-year-old pedestrian struck and killed by alleged drunk driver in downtown Toronto identified
The pedestrian who was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver in downtown Toronto on Canada Day has been identified by his family, remembering him as someone with a great sense of humour and a “huge heart.”
Montreal
-
Experts warn new Quebec tenants to check for bed bugs and other infestations
At this time of year, when many Quebecers move into a new home, there may be an increase in infestations of invaders such as bed bugs. Anyone can be affected by these unwanted pests and it is important to report cases.
-
2 men are in hospital after separate shootings in Montreal
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating two separate events where gunshots were fired at men overnight.
-
Hit-and-run driver runs red light, crashes into car that strikes elderly pedestrian
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) is actively searching for a suspect involved in a hit and run accident that occurred Saturday night in Drummondville.
Northern Ontario
-
Explore nature to learn about the Seven Grandfather Teachings
A unique scavenger hunt in Sudbury aims to get people out exploring nature and enjoying the outdoors. The event includes an educational element about Indigenous traditions and teachings, in particular the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
-
Disabled athlete attempting to cross Lake Superior
A Toronto man is getting set to become the first disabled athlete to cross Lake Superior on a paddleboard. Mike Shoreman, who made a stop in Sault Ste. Marie Friday, has already crossed Lake Erie, and most recently crossed Lake Huron. He is raising money for youth mental wellness.
-
Hwy.11 reopened after a tractor trailer collision near Calstock
All lanes of Highway 11 at Micro Tower Rd in the Pagwa area near Calstock, between Kapuskasing and Longlac, have reopened follwing a tractor trailer collision.
London
-
'Boom, boom, boom': London police and fire investigating suspicious car fire in parking garage
Heavy smoke and loud explosions woke up a number of residents in a high-rise apartment Saturday morning on Capulet Lane in London, Ont. when a fire broke out in the parking garage next to their building.
-
Doctor prepared to take legal action if Ontario doesn't expand COVID-19 booster eligibility
Ontario is not yet allowing most adults under the age of 60 to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot, prompting one doctor to prepare legal action to get the province to widen eligibility.
-
TD 'significantly' downgrades home sale, price forecasts
A new report from TD says Canadian home sales could fall by nearly one-quarter on average this year and remain low into 2023.
Winnipeg
-
Shamattawa man recovering after officer-involved shooting
A man from Shamattawa First Nation is being treated for serious injuries after an RCMP officer-involved shooting Saturday afternoon.
-
'I'm really angry': Staff shortages temporarily closing some rural Manitoba emergency rooms
Longstanding staff shortages in rural emergency rooms are continuing to create problems, with some being forced to close or cut their hours.
-
Man stabbed, other sprayed with bear mace at The Forks
Winnipeg police confirmed that one man was stabbed and another was sprayed with bear mace during an incident at The Forks on Friday night.
Kitchener
-
'Suddenly just explosions': Man arrested for setting off fireworks on Waterloo road
A man is facing charges after he set off fireworks early Saturday morning in Waterloo. "He was holding the fireworks in his hand and then projecting them at businesses and pedestrians," said police.
-
Demolition Derby draws a big crowd in Burford
Hundreds of drivers are hoping to crash their way to the top prize at the Billy Bash Demolition Derby in Burford this weekend.
-
Tre Ford, former UW football star, makes first career CFL start with the Edmonton Elks
Tre Ford, the former University of Waterloo football star, made history at the Edmonton Elks game on Friday night.
Calgary
-
Man in custody after firefighter dragged on fleeing vehicle
Calgary police have a man in custody after a Calgary Fire member was hurt by a stolen vehicle Saturday afternoon.
-
Albertans could receive inflation support, Kenney reveals on his radio show
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has indicated his United Conservative government will reveal details next week about additional support to help people deal with high inflation.
-
Man hospitalized after fall down Elbow River embankment
A man is recovering in hospital after falling down a steep embankment in the city's southwest Saturday afternoon.
Saskatoon
-
Performers excited to be back at Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
After two years without a full-scale event, the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is officially underway and artists are looking forward to performing live again.
-
Performance at Regina Farmers' Market highlights human animal relationships
The Regina Farmers’ Market at Victoria Square had an atmosphere like no other Saturday morning with folk music blaring from the main stage.
-
Don’t let summer fun leave you in debt, financial expert says
As Canadians are feeling the urge to spend on summer fun, one financial advisor recommends being realistic and cautious this year.
Edmonton
-
Albertans could receive inflation support, Kenney reveals on his radio show
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has indicated his United Conservative government will reveal details next week about additional support to help people deal with high inflation.
-
Missing Edmonton teen found safe in Oregon, U.S. man facing charges
A 13-year-old girl from Edmonton who had been missing for more than a week was safely located in Oregon, where a man, 41, is in police custody and facing charges.
-
Police identify Saanich, B.C., gunmen as 22-year-old twin brothers
Mounties on Vancouver Island have publicly identified the two gunmen killed during a shootout with police at a bank in Saanich on Tuesday as 22-year-old twin brothers Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie.
Vancouver
-
BC Housing 'looking into' whether residential cooling systems disabled
The provincial housing agency is keeping tight-lipped in the wake of troubling questions around whether some of the most vulnerable people in British Columbia are unauthorized to use cooling systems already installed in their homes.
-
Ban on dogs coming into Canada due to rabies concerns sparks debate
Some animal rescue groups fear countless dogs will die of starvation or be killed if they are not allowed entry into Canada as a result of a recently announced policy.
-
Saanich, B.C., gunman's Instagram account featured rifles, anti-government hashtags
An Instagram account belonging to one of the two gunmen killed in a shootout at a bank in Saanich, B.C., this week paints a picture of a young man who believed gun ownership was a necessary response to government "tyranny."
Regina
-
Performance at Regina Farmers' Market highlights human animal relationships
The Regina Farmers’ Market at Victoria Square had an atmosphere like no other Saturday morning with folk music blaring from the main stage.
-
Police identify Saanich, B.C., gunmen as 22-year-old twin brothers
Mounties on Vancouver Island have publicly identified the two gunmen killed during a shootout with police at a bank in Saanich on Tuesday as 22-year-old twin brothers Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie.
-
Performers excited to be back at Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
After two years without a full-scale event, the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is officially underway and artists are looking forward to performing live again.