This long weekend is looking pretty autumnal, with broken clouds on Friday, clear skies Saturday, and overcast on Sunday, though Sunday brings a surprising warmth at 19°. If I could only pick one event, I'd probably go for the Capital Music Awards on Friday night; it's always a good pulse check on what's happening in Ottawa's music scene.
What to Do This Weekend
- Dief the Chief: October '62 | Friday, October 9 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum | This theatrical journey 75 feet underground takes you through John Diefenbaker's navigation of the Cuban Missile Crisis. | directions | More info
- Dominion City Oktoberfest at Bar Lakeside | Friday, October 9 | Bar Lakeside | Celebrate Oktoberfest by the waterfront with Festbier, live DJs, and Bavarian-inspired food. | directions | More info
- Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – The Hard Road Tour | Friday, October 9 at 8:00 PM | Algonquin Commons Theatre | Experience the powerful sound of the GRAMMY Award-winning blues artist, known for his guitar skills and stage presence. | directions | More info
- Colours & Cocktails | Friday, October 9 | Bee You Creative Styles | This social experience offers a professional colour analysis to find your best shades, blended with shopping and cocktails. | directions | More info
- Perth Autumn Studio Tour | Friday, October 9 at 10:00 AM | Various countryside studios, Perth and Maberly | Free | Explore exquisite handmade pottery, paintings, and woodcraft across five beautiful countryside stops west of Ottawa, a nice fall drive. | directions | More info
- Ottawa Gatineau Tattoo Expo | Friday, October 9 at 2:00 PM | Palais des Congrès de Gatineau | Meet hundreds of tattoo artists from around the world, watch live tattooing, and browse vendors all weekend. | directions | More info
- Urban Art Collective Hintonburg Night Market | Friday, October 9 at 4:00 PM | Urban Art Collective (1088 Somerset Street West, Ottawa) | Free | Stroll through local vendors, enjoy food and drink, and listen to local entertainment at this evening market. | directions | More info
- Not Dead Yet! - John Cleese and the Holy Grail at 50 | Friday, October 9 at 7:30 PM | National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts | See John Cleese celebrate 50 years of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, with VIP tickets offering a post-show photo. | directions | More info
Family Events
- Les 12h de pickleball du MIFO - Édition 2026 | Friday, October 9 at 8:00 AM | MIFO - Place d'Orléans | $75.00 | This 12-hour pickleball tournament is a popular annual event for those interested in competitive family fun. | directions | More info
- ONIRO Night Walk | Friday, October 9 at 10:00 AM | Parc Oméga | Free | Journey through an illuminated forest at Parc Oméga where a wolf cub's story unfolds with spectacular projections, music, and light. | directions | More info
- Frightfest | Friday, October 9 at 10:00 AM | Saunders Farm | Canada’s largest haunted attraction returns with its award-winning Haunted Hayride and multiple scary zones. | directions | More info
- Pumpkin Fest | Friday, October 9 at 10:00 AM | Proulx Maple & Berry Farm | Free | Spend a day at the farm picking pumpkins, riding a hayride through the “Mysterious Forest,” and exploring mazes and playgrounds. | directions | More info
- Ma petite citrouille d’Halloween | Saturday, October 10 at 9:00 AM | Centre communautaire Apollo | This activity lets kids and adults decorate their own pumpkin with paint and imagination. | directions | More info
- Amazing Autumn Weekends | Saturday, October 10 at 10:00 AM | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | Enjoy seasonal fun at the farm, from a spooky barn to baling demonstrations and a pumpkin corner. | directions | More info
- sKreamers | Saturday, October 10 at 7:00 PM | sKreamers | Ottawa’s "scariest haunted attraction" offers a wild wagon ride and two haunted houses, powered by student volunteers. | directions | More info
- Nepean Night Market | Sunday, October 11 at 5:00 PM | Mr. Lube + Tires | Free | This Sunday evening market has local vendors, food trucks, live music, and glow sticks for kids, and dogs are welcome. | directions | More info
Big Events
- Capital Music Awards | Friday, October 9 at 6:00 PM | Southam Hall, National Arts Centre | Ottawa’s music community takes the spotlight for a night celebrating artists, creators, and industry professionals. | directions | More info
- Capital Music Week | Friday, October 9 at 10:00 AM | Various locations across Ottawa. | Free | This nine-day celebration turns Ottawa into a big stage with live music, showcases, workshops, and networking events. | More info
- Olympiques de Gatineau vs Drakkar | Friday, October 9 at 7:00 PM | Centre Slush Puppie | Watch the Gatineau Olympiques host the Drakkar in a QMJHL junior hockey game. | directions | More info
- Ann Wilson: The Voice of Heart & Tripsitter | Saturday, October 10 at 7:00 PM | Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa | Experience the powerhouse vocals of Ann Wilson, the legendary lead singer of Heart, with her band Tripsitter. | directions | More info
- Ottawa Senators vs. Nashville Predators | Saturday, October 10 at 7:00 PM | Canadian Tire Centre | $40 | Cheer for the Ottawa Senators during this regular season hockey match. | directions | More info
- Despised Icon, 200 Stab Wounds, TEETH, Rust, Scorching Tomb, midlife. | Saturday, October 10 at 6:00 PM | The Bronson | $47 | This metal music show features multiple bands at The Bronson, with 19+ for drinks. | directions | More info
- Resonance of Dunhuang - Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble | Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 PM | Algonquin Commons Theatre | The Ensemble performs music inspired by ancient musical manuscripts and murals from the Dunhuang Mogao caves, bringing lost music to life. | directions | More info