Welcome to the first weekend of spring! We made it! Temperatures are warming and that means the sap will be running at the local sugar bushes, so if you haven’t had a chance to visit one yet, this could be a great weekend for it! For other ideas, here is my list of family friendly events in and around Ottawa for the weekend of March 23-24.

Saturday:

• Spring Solstice Garage Sale – Orleans Community Garden, 622 Valin St, 8:00 am – 10:00 am (New and Used items to be sold)
• Ottawa Coffee Fest – Horticulture Building, Lansdowne, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (admittedly this event is probably aimed more at parents than the kids, but all are welcome, enjoy unique offerings from local roasters, food, entertainment and more)
• Ottawa Geek Market XI – Nepean Sportsplex, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (140+ exhibitors carry some of the most unique items in gaming, fantasy, sci-fi, anime, Lego, comics, and more, also take part in a huge scavenger hunt)
• Stanley’s Spring Vendor Market – Stanley’s Sugarbush, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (no admission to visit the sugarbush and enjoy these vendors)
• Painting Party with Princess Rapunzel – Art Haven, 102-200 Kennevale Dr, 10:30 – 12:00 pm (Join princess Rapunzel for a magical painting party and story, Tickets are $30)
• Disney on Ice – Canadian Tire Centre, 11:00 am and 3 pm (Be charmed by a cast of over 50 of Disneys unforgettable characters on ice)
• The Lego Movie: The Second Part – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm (the sequel, this time Lego Duplo invaders from outer space are wrecking everything)
• Bath Bomb Making – Oh So Good Desserts and Coffeehouse, Richmond Rd, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm ( learn how to make your own natural bath bombs with this Mother and Daughter duo while they teach you the benefits of using natural ingredients and doTerra essential oils in this bath bomb making 101 workshop)

Sunday:

• Baby Mama Hustle Market – Horticulture Building, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Ottawa’s first ever Parent+Tot Pop-Up Market. Over 40+ amazingly talented vendors. 50 swag bags for the first 50 guests through the door)
• Ottawa Geek Market XI – Nepean Sportsplex, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (140+ exhibitors carry some of the most unique items in gaming, fantasy, sci-fi, anime, Lego, comics, and more, also take part in a huge scavenger hunt)
• Stanley’s Spring Vendor Market – Stanley’s Sugarbush, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (no admission to visit the sugarbush and enjoy these vendors)
• Disney on Ice – Canadian Tire Centre, 11:00 am and 3:00 pm is the French performance (Be charmed by a cast of over 50 of Disneys unforgettable characters on ice)
• Unicorn Party – Boston Pizza, 1681 Greenbank, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (free event, just pay for lunch, live unicorns walking around, amazing face painting by The Colourful Chameleon, crafts, coloring contests and more!! Costumes and dress up always welcome and encouraged. Be sure to reserve your spot)
• Purple Day Celebrations – Ottawa City Hall, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (fun, free, family friendly event that celebrates and supports people in Ottawa who live with epilepsy. Come celebrate with midway games, a beginner-friendly ukulele workshop, snacks, and more!)
• Music at the Museum – Canadian Space and Aviation Museum, 2:00 pm (concert included with price of museum admission, musical performance titled ‘March’n Time’)
• Opera Candy: The Gourmet Adventures of Hansel and Gretel – Shenkman Arts Theatre, 3:00 pm (This delectable introduction to opera and lyrical singing is a treat for the eyes and ears! Aimed at children 6-12 years old, come early starting at 1:30 to meet the artists and explore your own singing range)