Aside from a rainy Sunday, it’s expected to be a lovely weekend in Ottawa – the last one in June! You might want to save energy for the nation’s biggest party on Wednesday on Parliament Hill, but here are some of the great events happening this weekend in the city:
Tim Horton’s Dragon Boat Festival
The 21st annual Dragon Boat Festival continues at Mooney’s Bay throughout the weekend. More than 200 teams will compete in competitive, corporate, and community categories. It is the largest dragon boat racing festival in North America. In addition to the racing, you can come and enjoying entertaining programming, concerts, attractions, sports demonstrations, delicious food, and exhibitors. Tonight, you can catch Kalle Mattson, The Franklin Electric, and Hey Rosetta! on the concert stage. There is an amazing lineup to close out the festival on Sunday, with performances by Craig Cardiff, Hollerado, and Tokyo Police Club. Admission is completely free, so come out and cheer on the racers and have some fun! You are also encouraged to make a donation in support of five very worthy local charities: Children at Risk, Heartwood House, Helping with Furniture, Shepherds of Good Hope, and Youth Services Bureau.
Escapade Music Festival
The Heineken Escapade Music Festival happens this Saturday and Sunday at Rideau Carleton Raceway. The impressive list of headliners include Armin Van Buuren, Laidback Luke, Markus Schulz, Carl Cox, and Knife Party. General 2-day festival passes are available for $160. Be safe and make sure to stay hydrated!
Ottawa Fringe Festival
The Ottawa Fringe Festival wraps up this weekend. There are more than 400 performances of 56 shows at 14 downtown venues. The festival itself advertises that shows are hit-and-miss, so you never know what you’re going to see – that’s what makes it such a unique and memorable experience. Come out and support local artists! Tonight and Saturday, come to the festival hub at Club SAW for Club Fringe and Fringe Late Night. The whole event closes with the Closing Night Awards at 10pm at the SAW Courtyard.
Shania Twain
Canadian country icon Shania Twain’s “Rock This Country” farewell tour hits Ottawa on Saturday evening at Wesley Clover Parks in Nepean. Tickets are available for $90.50 and $180.50 and a dollar from each ticket will benefit the Shania Kids Can Foundation. Shania will be joined by special guests The Doobie Brothers, and opening acts Dan + Shay and Wes Mack. Come sing along to the kids like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.”
Ottawa Jazz Festival
Ottawa Jazzfest continues this weekend and runs until Canada Day at Confederation Park. On the main stage this weekend are the Eli Bennett Quarter, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Snarky Puppy, Beirut, and Afro Cuban Jazz & Beyond. However, your festival tickets also include access to many talented lesser known musicians and bands, including many from here in Ottawa. In addition to the festival grounds, Spin Kitchen & Bar will host late night jamming starting at 10:30pm all weekend long, so come check it out!
Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!
Title image courtesy of ottawatourism.ca
