City of Ottawa - Spring into action

 

Date reminder  Summer activities, PA days, before and after school care and winter camps will all be available to view online on Tuesday, May 5. Registration opens for swim lessons on Tuesday, May 12 and Thursday, May 14 for all other activities.

Virtual courses for everyone  There are lots of options to enjoy a City of Ottawa activity from the comfort of your own home. Virtual options range from 50+ fitness and book clubs, art for all ages, music and even some cooking.

City Wide Sports Get active in a City Wide Sports league! Whether you're joining a team or starting your own, sign up at ottawa.ca/citysports. Registration for beach volleyball, basketball, soccer and pickleball leagues is open until Friday, May 1.

Mother’s Day Craft  Join us at various locations to make a special Mother's Day project to take home and show a little love to mothers, grandmothers or a good friend. With activities for kids aged 3 to 12, there are lots of opportunities to get creative around the city.

Have your say – Nepean Creative Arts Centre The Nepean Creative Arts Centre is getting a refresh, and the City needs your input! Have your say on Engage Ottawa or the in-person engagement session on Thursday, April 9, 6 – 7:30 pm at the Nepean Creative Arts Centre.

Nominations for commemorative naming   The City is now accepting spring nominations for the commemorative naming of municipal assets, including new streets, minor indoor and outdoor assets, major facilities and parks. This is your chance to honour the people, histories, and legacies that have shaped Ottawa’s community. The nomination period runs until May 1.

What's happening Various locations  Up-Cycled Eathday Workshop - Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19  Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe  Emma Lamontagne – Friday, April 10  Dino light – Saturday, April 11  Just for Laughs Road Show 2026 – April 18  Men of the Deeps – Diamond Sunset, The 60th Anniversary Tour – April 22  Shenkman Arts Centre  Ten Thousand Hours – Saturday, April 11  Les souliers d’Angélie (Angélie’s Shoes) - Saturday, April 18  Cumberland Heritage Village Museum  Hop into Spring – Saturday, April 4  Billings Estate National Historic Site  Easter at the Estate – Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5  Gallery 112  Drag the Archive: Photographs of Queer Gender Performance – Thursday, April 9 – Saturday, December 12  Barbara Ann Scott Gallery  Cultivating Community: Agriculture Rooted in Ottawa’s History – Until Sunday, November 5, 2028

City of Ottawa - Cleaning the Capital registration starts March 27!

 

Registration starts March 27th.  Join in to help keep Ottawa clean!

Spring is finally here!  It’s that time of year when volunteers across our city come together to clean up litter from our public spaces. You can choose to clean up a park or green space, roadside, shoreline, or even the areas around bus stops.  Register your project Registration for the Spring campaign opens Friday, March 27. Cleanup projects will take place between April 15 and May 31. Check out the interactive map to ensure there are no other cleanups registered at your chosen location.  Need a cleanup kit? Standard cleanup kits will be available for pickup at participating City facilities from April 2 to May 15, 2026.  Each kit includes large gloves and garbage bags.    For school groups and other groups with 100 or more participants, staff will prepare custom cleanup kits just for you which include the appropriate number of gloves and garbage bags.  Leave the leaves, branches, and wood! Leaves should be left in open spaces that are maintained by the City, including parks, and in all naturalized and natural areas.   Please do not tidy up fallen branches or dead wood from our open spaces and natural areas.  Coarse woody debris such as downed logs and fallen branches contributes to long-term forest health. City staff will handle any potentially hazardous trees or woody debris as needed. Disposal of Cleaning the Capital waste/litter Review the instructions for proper disposal of Cleaning the Capital waste/litter prior to your planned cleanup event.  A reminder that Cleaning the Capital does not provide special pickups at residential curbsides for collected waste/litter.  Submit your online cleanup report Cleanup reports help us track the waste/litter that is collected and give you an opportunity to share feedback about the program.  Did you know that since 1994, more than 1.5 million volunteers have helped clean up over 1.2 million kilograms of waste across Ottawa?    Don’t forget to submit your online cleanup report by June 15!  Earn volunteer hours! Do you know a high school student who needs volunteer hours?  Cleaning the Capital is a flexible opportunity for high school students to earn their community involvement hours. To learn more, visit Student volunteer hours.  For more information or to register, visit the Cleaning the Capital webpage.

City of Ottawa: Special advisory: daytime winter weather parking ban in effect on Sunday, January 11 from 10 am to 7 pm

 

Due to weather conditions, a daytime winter weather parking ban will be in effect on Sunday, January 11 between 10 am and 7 pm across Ottawa. These hours might be extended if additional time is needed to complete winter road operations. Alternative parking during a parking ban can be found by visiting the Winter Parking webpage. Please be sure to remove your vehicle when the ban ends if you use it.  

During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. On-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones.

Available parking

During winter weather parking bans, residents will have access to select OC Transpo park and rides as well as certain recreation centres. Some City parking garages are available for parking during winter parking bans, however it is important that residents take note of what time they need to remove their car. Visit our winter parking web page for more information about which City facilities are available during winter weather parking bans.

Commercial main streets

To help residents shop local, some commercial main streets are exempt from winter parking bans. When a parking ban is called during winter weather events, residents can park in the identified areas while observing all posted signage and pay and display requirements.

Be in the know about snow

• Subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification each time a winter weather parking ban is put in place, extended or lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. 
• Follow us on Facebook, Bluesky and X to receive updates.
• Residents can also download the City of Ottawa app on their Android or Apple device to receive up-to-date information on winter parking bans and other City news.

For more winter parking information, please visit the winter parking web page.

City of Ottawa: March Break Camps Online

 

March Break camps online Start your planning now and look at what’s on offer for March Break. Don’t forget to save your favourites to your wishlist. Registration opens on Tuesday, January 20 at 9 pm.

Save the date   Mark your calendars for 2026 activities and camp registration.  Spring activities   Online on Tuesday, January 27  Registration opens on Tuesday, February 10 for swimming and Thursday, February 12 for all other activities  Summer Camps Online on Tuesday, February 3 Registration opens on, Thursday February 26 Summer activities, PA Days and Before and After School Programs, winter camps  Online on Tuesday, May 5, 2026  Registration opens on Tuesday, May 12 for swimming and Thursday, May 14 for all other activities  Fall activities  Online on Tuesday, July 28  Registration opens on Tuesday, August 11 for swimming and Thursday, August 13 for all other activities   Winter activities  Online on Tuesday, November 3  Registration opens Tuesday, November 17 for swimming and Thursday, November 19 for all other activities.

Reminder – Check before you sled  Take a look at the latest sledding advisory and safety tips before heading to the hill.

Get active!  Smash your New Year’s activity goals with the new Rec Pass! Find the pass that works best for you and your family with the Recreation Pass Finder.

Young at Art turns 30  Young at Art 2026 is celebrating 30 years of creativity and is looking for young artists between 12 and 19 to submit for the chance to be featured in this year’s professionally assessed exhibition! Selected works are displayed and are eligible for several awards. Submit your artwork by 1 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program  Applications are now open until February 3 for Ottawa’s Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program. This program gives residents and community groups the chance to create or expand gardens and greening projects in the City. Join us for an in-person information session on Wednesday, January 14 from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Nepean Sportsplex in Hall A.

What's happening Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe  Thursday, January 22 - Matinée Café: Mimi O’Bonsawin  Saturday, February 7 - Shaun Boothe and The Unauthorized Biography Series  Shenkman Arts Centre  Wednesday, January 21 - Matinée Café: Mimi O’Bonsawin  Wednesday, January 21 - Julian Taylor and Logan Staats - Songs & Stories  Thursday, January 22 - MOSAÏCO

City of Ottawa Recreation - Let it snow!

 

Gift Certificates If you can’t decide what to purchase that someone special in your life this year, then let them choose by giving a gift certificate to activities, memberships and more!

Sledding safety tips As the snow is falling, remember to check ahead before you sled.  Visit  Ottawa.ca for the status of official sledding hills. Here are a few safety tips for the sledding season. Remember to sled at approved hills only. Wear a CSA-certified helmet Be aware of the terrain – avoid sledding in the direction of collision hazards such as trees. Learn more about how you can reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others ottawa.ca/sledding.

Jingle Bell Splash Make a holiday splash on Wednesday, December 24 at 9:15 am. Join in on the ultimate festive aquafit class at the Nepean Sportsplex. In 2024, there were 350 participants! Reserve your spot now! Please arrive 30 minutes early to check in.

Recreation pass Look ahead to 2026 with a membership pass for City of Ottawa recreation and cultural facilities. If your new year’s resolution is to be more active, then this is for you. Options range from a ten-visit pass to an annual membership pass. Find the best deal by using the Recreation Pass Finder.

Gifts worthy of a standing ovation There’s something for everyone at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe and Shenkman Arts Centre. Family shows, comedy, music, circus and much more!

Reimaging the Belltown Dome Have your say on the future of Grandeur Park and the Belltown Dome. Join the conversation on Engage Ottawa.

What's happening Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe Thursday, December 18 to Sunday, December 21 - A Christmas Carol: Solo, performed by Pierre Brault Minto Recreation Complex-Barrhaven Friday, December 19 and Saturday, December 20 – Drop off the kids for your time to shop (ages 4 to 12): 5 to 8 pm St-Laurent Complex Sunday, December 21 - Drop off the kids for your time to shop (ages 6 to 12): 12:30 to 4:30 pm at St-Laurent Complex Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Saturday, December 20 - Drop off the kids for your time to shop (ages 4 to 12): 10 am to 2 pm at Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Nepean Museum Sunday, December 21 - Weekend Crafters - Vintage paper ornaments: 1 to 4 pm Cumberland Heritage Village Museum  Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21 - Introduction to leatherwork – Sleigh bell door hanger (ages 16+)

Rink Building at Kilreen Park – Volunteers Needed on December 13

The QTSR Community Association is getting ready to build this year’s skating rink at Kilreen Park (1240 Southwood Dr.) We are looking for volunteers to help pack down the snow and create the base on Saturday, December 13, starting at 9:00 a.m.

If you are able to join us, you are welcome to bring along a shovel, snowshoes, or a sled—anything that can help with packing the snow. Every bit of help makes a difference, and no special experience is required.

Thank you to everyone who supports the rink each year. We hope to see you at the park!

 

Special advisory: overnight winter weather parking ban in effect on Wednesday, December 10 from 7 pm to 7 am

Due to weather conditions, an overnight winter weather parking ban will be in effect on Wednesday, December 10 between 7 pm and 7 am across Ottawa. These hours might be extended if additional time is needed to complete winter road operations. Alternative parking during a parking ban can be found by visiting the Winter Parking webpage. Please be sure to remove your vehicle when the ban ends if you use it.   During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. On-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones. Available parking During winter weather parking bans, residents will have access to select OC Transpo park and rides as well as certain recreation centres. Some City parking garages are available for parking during winter parking bans, however it is important that residents take note of what time they need to remove their car. Visit our winter parking web page for more information about which City facilities are available during winter weather parking bans. Commercial main streets To help residents shop local, some commercial main streets are exempt from winter parking bans. When a parking ban is called during winter weather events, residents can park in the identified areas, while observing all posted signage and pay and display requirements. Be in the know about snow ·       Subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification each time a winter weather parking ban is put in place, extended or lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time.  ·       Follow us on Facebook, Bluesky and X to receive updates ·       Residents can also download the City of Ottawa app on their Android or Apple device to receive up-to-date information on winter parking bans and other City news. For more winter parking information, please visit the winter parking web page.