14 Summer Festivals in Ottawa

Summer in the capital is short so every day that's warm and sunny is a reason to celebrate. Here are our picks of the best festivals in Ottawa this summer.

The pretty town of Osgoode is just a half hour's drive south and well worth the trip for their annual Medieval Festival. Register your kids (aged 4 to 14) for Education Day on July 10, and spend the day setting up a trebuchet, getting friendly with homing pigeons, learning to walk on stilts or shooting a bow and arrow. Come back the following two days for the full festival, including jousts, dancing, music, food and maybe even a medieval wedding.

Music and Beyond, presents hundreds of classical music concerts between July 4 and 17. It may sound stuffy, but there's tons of great kid-friendly stuff here, including the opening night's circus-themed performance, carillon concerts on Parliament Hill, a series of Young People's concerts and even a floating band travelling down the Rideau Canal. Don't miss Family Music Expo, July 5 at the University of Ottawa, featuring over 120 short concerts, dance performances and interactive activities, like painting and making your own instrument.

We all scream for ice cream, and there's none better than homemade. Visit the Museum of Agriculture and Food on July 19 for a chance to make your own ice cream, milk a cow, see a puppet show and learn all about the inner workings of a dairy farm.

Kids and classical music aren't always an obvious match, but Chamberfest aims to change all that by offering a fun family ‘Bring the Kids!' series as part of their late July/early August festival. Events take place at City Hall and are (bonus!) free, so arrive early for good seats.

BAWI (Balance Art World International) likes to go with the flow, which means their annual rock balancing festival at Remic Rapids is a pretty laid back affair. But there's no denying the eerie beauty of the gravity-defying rock sculptures created by international artists over the Civic Holiday Weekend. Stop by the rapids exit from the parkway, take a look around, and then try your hand at rock balancing yourself.

Give the kids a pocket full of toonies and loonies and then wander freely up and down Sparks Street on the Civic Holiday Weekend. Where else will you see a strongwoman rip a phone book in half, a steel-throated man swallow two swords at once or a magician break out of a straightjacket right in front of your eyes?

There's magic at every turn at this fantastic festival in the quaint little town of Almonte. Marvel at the Puppet Parade, then wander up and down the street taking in tent performances, busker shows or street dances. Unique fun for the whole family.

Spoil the kids with a late night at the Sound of Light fireworks festival, running in mid-August. Although the pyrotechnics can be seen from several spots along the river, it's worth it to buy tickets to ground zero at the Museum of History for the family fun zone, which features snacks, face painting, and musical acts onstage until the big show starts at 9:15. Then, various countries put on amazing firework displays set to music that sure to dazzle and delight.

The Carp Farmers' Market is one of the best in town, and there's no better weekend to visit than during Garlic Festival on August 10 and 11. There's all the usual fantastic produce, baked goods and crafts for sale, in addition to tons of music, performances, treats and a fabulous party atmosphere. Arrive early for the best parking.

There's nothing more charming than a parade of fairies and elves, each with a lantern, dancing through the park at night. Become part of this sweet festival by attending a lantern-making workshop in New Edinburgh Park on weekends throughout early August, then join the parade and concert in the park on August 15.

Spend the Labour Day weekend across the river in Parc De La Baie at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. Meet the pilots, learn how a balloon works and maybe even splurge on your own ride up in the air. There's tons more, too—musical acts, buskers, classic cars and a full amusement park. Good to Know: for a cheaper alternative, take a picnic to Rockcliffe Park at sundown and relax as you watch the nightly balloon flight take to the skies.

The Ottawa Farmers' Market is back at Landsdowne Park, so their annual Tomato Festival is sure to be bigger and better than ever. Visit the market in mid-September for the unbelievable bounty of fall produce, including dozens of types of tomatoes, tons of tomato dishes to sample, and the thrill of the salsa cook-off.

One of the most unique festivals in town is the South Asian Festival, featuring incredible dance and music performances from throughout Asia. You'll also find crafts and games for kids, a full midway and, best of all, tons of delicious international cuisine to sample.

Wrap up your summer of festivals with the Animation Festival. Besides tons of great movies and shorts—some for kids, some not—there's also a special workshop to introduce kids to the art of animation and a Toon Apprentice Day on September 18 for teens.