This is a calendar of recurring annual events in Ottawa that activists and organizers may want to keep in mind when making plans. Some of these might be events your group wants to participate in, or mobilize around (in support or in protest). Others are events you may want to keep in mind solely for logistics and planning as they may impact traffic or venue availability. We also recommend being mindful about religious holidays and school calendars. Do you see something that’s missing or in need of updating? Let us know at punchup@riseup.net!
January
- Women’s March (mid to late January)
February
- Black History Month
- Winterlude (first three weeks of February)
- Memorial March for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (February 14)
- Reading Week for University Students
March
- Israeli Apartheid Week (early March)
- International Women’s Day (March 8)
- International Day Against Police Brutality (March 15)
- March Break for K-12 Students and Teachers
April
- Classes end at most post-secondaries
- Sparks Street Poutine Fest
May
Early May
- May Day
- Ottawa International Writer’s Festival
- Tulip Festival
Late May
- Canadian Association of Defense and Security Industries (CANSEC) Trade Show
- Great Glebe Garage Sale (final Saturday of May)
- Ottawa Race Weekend (final weekend of May)
- Montreal Anarchist Bookfair
June
- Injured Workers Day (June 1)
- Doors Open Ottawa (early June)
- Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
- Sparks Street Ribfest (late June)
- Ottawa Jazz Festival (late June)
July
- Canada Day (July 1)
- Bluesfest (early July)
August
- Capital Pride (last full week of August, Pride Marches on closing weekend)
September
- Labour Day
- Classes resume at Algonquin College, Carleton University, University of 0ttawa
- CityFolk Festival (mid-September)
- Annual Police Memorial (last Sunday in September)
- Army Run
October
- Families of Sisters In Spirit Vigil – October 4
- Ottawa International Writer’s Festival
- Reading Week for University students
November
- Remembrance Day (November 11)
- Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20)
December
- World AIDS Day (December 1)
- Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6)
- International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (December 17)