Any day
Andrew Haydon Park on the Ottawa River
A big City park on the Ottawa River shore, off Carling Avenue.
Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)
Always free in Ottawa
Places in Ottawa that never charge: parks, trails, rinks and more. Updated Sunday, November 15.
Always free23
Any day
Beryl Gaffney Park on the Rideau River
A large natural City park on the Rideau River south of Barrhaven.
Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)
Any time a branch is open, while passes are in
Borrow a free museum or ski pass from the library
With an Ottawa library card you can borrow a pass for free entry to the Museum of Nature, National Gallery, History and War museums, Ingenium museums, Mooney's Bay ski trails, Gatineau Park ski trails and Ontario Parks.
The catch: Passes can't be put on hold: check availability, then pick one up in a branch. One pass at a time, up to 7 days.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library
Any day
Britannia Park
A large City park on the Ottawa River at the west end of Carling Ave.
Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)
Daily from Fri Nov 20: English 5:30 and 7:30 pm, French 6 and 7 pm
Footprints: free holiday light show on Heritage Hall
A 10-minute story told in light and music on the front of Heritage Hall in the ByWard Market, every evening.
Checked Nov 15 · ByWard Market District Authority
Thursdays 5 to 7 pm
Free Thursday evenings at the Canadian Museum of History
General admission is free every Thursday from 5 to 7 pm, across the river in Gatineau.
The catch: Reserve a free timed ticket; the Napoleon immersive show is not included
Checked Nov 15 · Canadian Museum of History
Thursdays 5 to 8 pm
Free Thursday evenings at the Canadian Museum of Nature
General admission is free every Thursday from 5 to 8 pm: dinosaurs, the mammal and bird galleries, live bugs and the Wild Colour exhibition.
The catch: Everyone needs a ticket, even free ones: book online or get one at the door
Checked Nov 15 · Canadian Museum of Nature
Thursdays 5 to 7 pm
Free Thursday evenings at the Canadian War Museum
General admission is free every Thursday from 5 to 7 pm.
The catch: Reserve a free timed ticket; the museum's underground parking is paid
Checked Nov 15 · Canadian War Museum
Year-round; tour times vary, book online
Free guided tours of Parliament
Tour the Senate building or the House of Commons at West Block, or see the Centre Block immersive show. All free.
The catch: Book a free ticket for each building; House of Commons visitors need government photo ID; East Block tours are summer only
Checked Nov 15 · Visit Canada's Parliament
Daily 10 am to 3 pm until Dec 20; closed Dec 21 to Jan 3, then daily again from Jan 4
Free guided tours of Rideau Hall
A 45-minute guided tour of the Governor General's state rooms and art. The grounds are open 8 am to an hour before sunset.
The catch: Reservation required: send the request form at least 72 hours ahead
Checked Nov 15 · Governor General of Canada: Rideau Hall
Wednesdays to Sundays 4 to 5 pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Free last hour at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Admission is free from 4 to 5 pm on days the museum is open. See the barns and animals at the Experimental Farm.
The catch: Parking is paid ($4 an hour)
Checked Nov 15 · Ingenium: Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Wednesdays to Mondays 4 to 5 pm (closed Tuesdays)
Free last hour at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Admission is free every day the museum is open from 4 to 5 pm. See the aircraft collection in Rockcliffe.
The catch: Parking is paid ($4 an hour)
Checked Nov 15 · Ingenium: Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Tuesdays to Sundays 4 to 5 pm (closed Mondays)
Free last hour at the Canada Science and Technology Museum
Admission is free every day the museum is open from 4 to 5 pm. Good for a quick visit with kids.
The catch: Parking is paid ($4 an hour)
Checked Nov 15 · Ingenium: Canada Science and Technology Museum
Mondays 10 to 11 am
French story time for little ones at the NAC
Les lundis des tout-petits: Monday morning stories with crafts and games, in French. No ticket needed.
The catch: In French only
Checked Nov 15 · National Arts Centre
Any time a branch is open
Get a free Ottawa Public Library card
A free library card gets you books, movies, e-books, museum passes and programmes at 33 branches. Sign up in person at any branch.
The catch: Bring photo ID and proof of address. People living outside Ottawa pay $90 a year.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library
Every day; lot P22 open 8 am to sunset (no later than 9 pm)
Mer Bleue Bog boardwalk
A flat, stroller-friendly boardwalk across a 7,700-year-old bog with a storytelling route. Free parking.
The catch: No dogs on the Bog Trail
Checked Nov 15 · National Capital Commission
Any day
Mooney's Bay Park
A large City park on the Rideau River off Riverside Drive.
Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)
Tue and Sun 10 am to 6 pm; Wed to Sat 10 am to 9 pm; closed Mondays
Ottawa Art Gallery, always free
Free admission every day it is open, with late hours to 9 pm Wednesday to Saturday.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Art Gallery
Any day
Petrie Island Park
A City park on Petrie Island in the Ottawa River, in Orléans.
Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)
Usually January to early March, weather permitting
Rideau Canal Skateway (not open yet)
7.8 km of free outdoor skating through downtown, open 24 hours a day when the ice is ready. Usually opens in January.
The catch: Not open yet; the season depends on the weather
Checked Nov 15 · National Capital Commission
Winter, when there is enough snow
Sledding at Carlington Park hill
One of the biggest sledding hills in the city: long, steep runs, lit at night. Park at J. Alph Dulude Arena.
Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)
Mondays 7 to 8 pm
SoulRhythms: free Afro-Caribbean dance class at the NAC
A 45-minute drop-in group dance class for all levels, led by Cultural Arts Studio. No ticket needed.
Checked Nov 15 · National Arts Centre
Tuesdays 10 to 11 am
Toddler Tuesdays at the National Arts Centre
Singing, dancing, games and stories for little ones with a grown-up. No ticket needed.
Checked Nov 15 · National Arts Centre
Free every week7
Mon 2 to 4 pm (Nov 23); Fridays 2 to 4 pm (Nov 20, 27)
Dinosaur crafts on PD days at Ruth E. Dickinson library
Drop-in dinosaur crafts for Dinovember: cut, glue and colour at your own pace. English and French.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library
Mon 1 to 2:30 pm (Nov 23); Fridays 1 to 2:30 pm (Nov 20, 27)
LEGO block party at Blackburn Hamlet library
Build with LEGO with library staff: take on a challenge or free-build. Ages 4 and up with family.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library
Wednesdays 4 to 6 pm (Nov 18, 25)
Drop-in chess club at Main library
Open games of chess for beginners and stronger players. Bring a board or borrow one.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library
Wednesdays 10:15 to 11:45 am and 6:30 to 8 pm (Nov 18, 25); Thursdays 6 to 7:30 pm (Nov 19, 26); Fridays 3 to 4:30 pm (Nov 20, 27)
English conversation groups at Main library
Practise speaking English in a relaxed group. Several sessions a week, all levels, just drop in.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library
Thursdays 11:15 to 11:45 am (Nov 19, 26); Fridays 11:15 am to 12:45 pm (Nov 20, 27)
Baby storytime and play at Ruth E. Dickinson library
Stories, rhymes and songs for babies up to 18 months, then play time on Fridays.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library
Fridays 1:30 to 3:30 pm (Nov 20, 27); Sundays 1:30 to 3:30 pm (Nov 22, 29)
Board and card game social at Greenboro library
Drop in to play board games, card games or puzzles with new friends. Bring a game or use theirs.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library
Fridays 10 to 11:30 am (Nov 20, 27)
PD day LEGO block party at Cumberland library
Build with LEGO with library staff on PD days, or just free-build. Ages 4 and up with family.
Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library