What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: June 25-27
It's the first full weekend of summer and the final weekend of June in the national capital region.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
BEACH SEASON
Beaches are open for the summer in Ottawa and Gatineau.
In Ottawa, lifeguards are on duty daily at Ottawa's four public beaches from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public beaches are located at Mooney's Bay, Westboro, Britannia and Petrie Island.
In Gatineau Park, lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at Meech Lake, Philippe Lake and La Peche Lake.
Lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Leamy Lake.
Gatineau's beaches at Parc du Lac-Beauchamp, Parc Mousssette and Parc des Cedres are also open daily, with lifeguards on duty.
People enjoy the warm weather at Mooney's Bay Beach in Ottawa, on Saturday, June 12, 2021. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
INTERPROVINCIAL ZIPLINE
Interzip Rogers is now open, allowing you to zipline between Gatineau and Ottawa.
The world's first interprovincial zipline, located at Zibi, is open until Oct. 1.
For ticket information, visit interzip.ca
ROOM SERVICE CONCERT SERIES
The RBC Ottawa Bluesfest Room Service Concert Series continues this weekend, with music and comedy shows.
Enjoy an exclusive concert while you spend the night in one of Ottawa's hotels.
Friday night's lineup includes Lennon Stella, Sofia Franklyn and Larkin Poe.
Saturday night's comedy lineup features Gerry Dee, Jeremy Hotz and Kyle Brownrigg.
For information on the lineup and hotel booking, visiting https://ottawatourism.ca/en/roomserviceconcertseries/lineup
OTTAWA FRINGE FESTIVAL
It's the final weekend for the Ottawa Fringe Festival, held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For show information, visit https://ottawafringe.com/.
DRIVE-IN MOVIE EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a night at the drive-in.
The Drive-In Movie Experience is open this weekend at RCGT Park on Coventry Road and at Wesley Clover Parks.
Here is a look at this weekend's movies:
RCGT Park on Coventry Road:
- Friday: E.T. (1982)
- Furious 7
- The Invisible Man
Wesley Clover Parks
- Friday: E.T. (1982)
- Saturday: Sider-Man Far From Home
- Sunday (day): Trolls World Tour
- Sunday (night): It Chapter 2
For more information, visit https://www.thedriveinottawa.ca/movies
THE PORT ELMSLEY DRIVE-IN
The Port Elmsley Drive-In is open this weekend.
For movie and ticket information, visit http://www.portelmsleydrivein.com/
NCC WEEKEND BIKEDAYS
The National Capital Commission is opening the parkways for active transportation every weekend until October.
Cyclists, runners, walkers and other active transportation users can use the parkways on Saturdays and Sundays until October 11.
Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway (9 kilometres): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both westbound lanes of the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, located on the south side of the Ottawa River just west of the downtown core, from Vimy Place to Carling Avenue.
Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (8 kilometres): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both lanes of the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, running along the south side of the Ottawa River, just east of the downtown core, between the Aviation Parkway and St. Joseph Boulevard in Orléans.
GATINEAU PARK PARKWAYS
The National Capital Commission is reserving parkways in Gatineau Park for active use most of the time in 2021. Motor vehicle access will be allowed on Gatineau Park parkways on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays after 1 p.m.
HIKING IN OTTAWA AND GATINEAU
You can go for a physical-distancing hike in the Greenbelt and Gatineau Park this weekend.
For a list of trails in the Greenbelt, visit https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/hiking-and-walking-greenbelt
For a list of recommended trails in Gatineau Park, visit https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/gatineau-park-trails-in-spring
PARKWAYS FOR PEOPLE
The National Capital Commission is opening up Queen Elizabeth Driveway for active transportation this spring and summer.
A 2.4 km stretch of the parkway from Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street will be closed to vehicles daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
RIDEAU CANAL
The Rideau Canal is open from Ottawa to Kingston.
All lock stations along the Rideau Canal are open daily.
For more information, visit www.pc.gc.ca/Rideau
BYWARD MARKET AND PARKDALE MARKET
The ByWard Market and Parkdale Public Market are open this weekend.
For more information, visit www.ottawamarkets.ca
BARRHAVEN MARKET
The Barrhaven Market is open on Sundays at Nepean Woods Park and Ride.
Visit the market between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information, visit https://ottawafarmersmarket.ca/barrhaven-market/
CARP MARKET
The Carp Farmers Market is open at the fair grounds in Carp.
It's open every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
METCALFE FARMERS' MARKET
The Metcalfe Farmers Market is open on Saturday.
The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds on 8th Line Road.
OTTAWA FARMERS MARKET
The Ottawa Farmers Market is open every Sunday at Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park.
The market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PARC OMEGA
Parc Omega is open in Montebello, Que.
For more information, visit parcomega.ca
SAUNDERS FARM
Enjoy a campfire at Saunders Farm.
Campfire nights are the perfect family outing, date night or small gathering.
For more information, visit http://saundersfarm.com/campfires/
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Don't miss the Canadian Museum of History's new exhibit, Queens of Egypt.
The museum in Gatineau is open Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, including tickets, visit www.historymuseum.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.