The first weekend of May and my fingers are crossed that it starts to actually feel like Spring soon. Come back sun! May is the month for the Canadian Tulip Festival (one of my favourite events). If you haven’t checked out my latest blog post on this year’s festival, you can do so here. To help you make your plans for THIS weekend however, here is my list of family friendly events for May 4-5.

Saturday:

• Opening Weekend at Upper Canada Village – Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (meet various interpreters from the blacksmith, baker, and cabinetmaker and more as they go about their daily chores using authentic historic tools. Help milk a cow, see the cute piglets and more)
• Orleans Community Garden Garage Sale/Fundraiser – 622 Valin St, Orleans, 7:30 am – 2:30 pm (biggest garage sale in Orleans)
• Saturday 5K and 1K – Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 8:30 am – 10:00 am (Come run at your pace of choice on this scenic route that is held on the roads and pathways within the Central Experimental Farm. , Online registration is $10.00 (18+)/$5.00 for Run Ottawa members. FREE for youth/kids under the age of 18)
• Spring Trade Show – Carlingwood Mall, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (15 JA young entrepreneur companies will be selling their products from candles, lip balm and more)
• Barrhaven Lions Club Pancake Breakfast – Fire Station #47, 3559 Greenback Rd, Nepean, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (join for a breakfast of pancakes, sausages, eggs, beans, coffee and juice, plus there will be face painting, balloon artist, and meet Ottawa fire fighters and tour a fire truck. Donations accepted for QuickStart Autism)
• Community Garage Sale – Blackburn Hamlet Community, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (lots of homes holding sales, rain date is Sunday May 5)
• Broadview Book Bonanza – 535 Dovercourt Ave, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (hundreds of 2nd hand books to choose from at great deals)
• Opening Weekend of Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibit – Science and Technology Museum, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (500 Years of Genius is the most comprehensive exhibition experience on Leonardo da Vinci to tour the world.)
• Jane’s Walk – various locations around Ottawa and times (check the link for a map of locations and times for where the walks are taking place. This is a festival of free neighbourhood walking tours that help people learn more about where they live!)
• Cheerfully Made Spring Show – Almonte Agriculture Hall, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (This show of unique crafters and artisans takes place over two days, with 60 different makers each day. Admission is $2 at the door, kids under 16 are free)
• Ottawa Poutine Fest – Ottawa City Hall, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (if you missed last weekend’s Poutinefest on Sparks St don’t worry, there is another one this weekend and in addition to lots of Poutine food trucks there will be face painting, a kids zone and rock climbing wall)
• How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm (the third instalment in this popular series)
• Laser Tag at the Bunker – Diefenbunker Museum, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Ottawa’s most unique laser tag experience at the Bunker. You’ll be given exclusive game access to the 100 level and the 200 level, sign up for a time slot ahead of time)
• Ottawa Contra Community Dance – Churchill Rec Centre, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Community-oriented dance opportunity with live music for families of all ages … especially school-aged kids and their parents, optional pot luck happens before the dance at 5:15 pm)

Sunday:

• WCP Fun Run – Wesley Clover Parks, 7:30 am – 12:30 pm (10K, 5K and 2K all-terrain events, the 5K and 2K are not timed and about having fun, must register by the end of Friday)
• Ottawa Farmer’s Market – Lansdowne, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (the Ottawa Farmer’s market is moving back outside to the plaza…a sign of spring!)
• Opening Weekend at Upper Canada Village – Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (meet various interpreters from the blacksmith, baker, and cabinetmaker and more as they go about their daily chores using authentic historic tools. Help milk a cow, see the cute piglets and more)
• Big Spring Clean Up – Westboro Village, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (meet at Winston Square for a big spring cleanup of the village. There will also be a collection of clothing and car seats in support of Big Brothers and Sisters)
• Cheerfully Made Spring Show – Almonte Agriculture Hall, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (This show of unique crafters and artisans takes place over two days, with 60 different makers each day. Admission is $2 at the door, kids under 16 are free)
• Acton Children’s Business Fair – Horticulture Building, Lansdowne, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (kids develop a brand, create a product or service, come up with a marketing strategy and then open for customers at this one day marketplace)
• Byward Barket – Byward Market, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (if your family includes a four legged friend you may want to bring them down to the market Sunday for pup-up shops, bones and treats, rescues and more)
• Ottawa Poutine Fest – Ottawa City Hall, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (if you missed last weekend’s Poutinefest on Sparks St don’t worry, there is another one this weekend and in addition to lots of Poutine food trucks there will be face painting, a kids zone and rock climbing wall)
• Paw Patrol visits Monkey Around – Monkey Around Play and Learn Centre, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (come for a play and get a chance to meet Chase and Skye from Paw Patrol)
• Wood Painting by Young Entrepreneur Jillian – Flapjacks Canadian Diner, 354A Preston St, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (join 10 year old young entrepreneur, Jillian, for a wood painting workshop. Jiliian will be demonstrating how to paint a beautiful landscape on a wooden disc. Recommended for kids ages 8 and up)
• Zumba on the Hill – Parliament Hill, 4:00 pm (a free, outdoor Zumba class open to everyone, runs every Sunday starting May 5)
• Laser Tag at the Bunker – Diefenbunker Museum, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Ottawa’s most unique laser tag experience at the Bunker. You’ll be given exclusive game access to the 100 level and the 200 level, sign up for a time slot ahead of time)