Things to do in Ottawa this weekend — March 31- April 2, 2023

Hans! Moonbeam & Isobel

When: March 31, 2023
Where: LIVE! on Elgin, 220 Elgin Street, 2nd Floor
What time: Doors at 8:00 PM | Shows at 8:30 PM
Admission: From $15 online • Click here to purchase tickets or $20 at the door

Ottawa multi-instrumentalist and creator Hans! style is built on self-production and breaking down walls that limit free creation. MOONBEAN is a queer, Ontario-based artist, performing as an electronic duo with a live, synth hardware set and edgy vocals while ISØBEL combines growling synthesizers, pulsing drums, and distorted guitar to deliver brooding alternative pop. Catch all three at Live on Elgin this Friday.

Photo: Live on Elgin

Ottawa Spring Wedding Show

When: April 1-2, 2023
Where: EY Centre, Hall 3, 4899 Uplands Drive
What time: 11 am – 4 pm (both days)
Admission: $17 (age of 18 and under are free) • Click here to purchase tickets

The Ottawa Wedding Show is Ottawa’s premier wedding industry event. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or for the experts that can assist in planning the event of your life, a wide range of Ottawa’s leading wedding professionals will be there with incredible feature areas, presentations, tastings, samples, and more!

Photo: Ottawa Spring Wedding Show

Vanier Sugar Festival

When: April 1 – 2, 2023
Where: Richelieu Park, 300 Des Peres-Blances Ave
What time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm (both days)
Admission: Free

Each year, the Vanier Sugar Shack taps trees the old-fashioned way to produce between 400 and 600 litres of maple syrup. This urban sugar shack also transforms the maple sap from the Governor General’s gardens. Celebrate sugar season and the brand new sugar "cottage" all weekend long, and take full advantage of traditional maple syrup production at its best! Activities for children, adults, and foodies!

Photo: museoparc.ca

BTO Open — West Coast Swing Weekend

When: March 30 – April 2, 2023
Where: The Brookstreet Hotel, 525 Legget Drive
What time: Various • Click here for the detailed schedule
Admission: N/A

Dance, learn, compete, improve, compete, and repeat at this weekend's BTO West Coat Swing Weekend. Offering two workshop tracks, one for those new to swing and another for experienced dancers. Enjoy competitions, shows, charity fun, live music, and even time to eat. 

Ahren Belisle 

When: March 31, 2023
Where: Yuk Yuk's Ottawa West, In Biagio's Italian Kitchen, 1394 Richmond Road
What time: 7:30 pm
Admission: $22.13 • Click here to purchase tickets

Ahren Belisle is a software engineer and mental health advocate turned comedian. Born in Northern Ontario with cerebral palsy, Ahren is a mute comedian who uses his phone to deliver jokes. Ahren has over 300,000 followers on social media and has been featured on 60 Second Docs.

Sin City Hypnosis with Dave Curran

When: April 1, 2023
Where: Meridian Theatre @ Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Drive
What time: 8 pm
Admission: From $29.50 • Click here to purchase tickets

The Bad Boy of Hypnosis, Dave Curran, is coming to town. Curan is good at tapping into his audience's carnal desires and subconscious naughtiness, eliminating inhibitions with entertaining results on stage. Signature stunts in the hilariously interactive 90-minute show include handshakes that induce shocking responses and several other scandalous tricks! 19+

Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs 

When: April 1, 2023
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive
What time: 7 pm
Admission: From $149 • Click here to purchase tickets

The playoff-bound Leaf take on the Sens, who need the win to help secure a wild card spot. It will be an action-packed game as the Eastern Conference rivals take to the ice at the Canadian Tire Centre!

Ottawa Mini Comiccon

When: April 1-2, 2023
Where: EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive
What time: Various
Admission: Free

The Ottawa Mini-Comiccon features a shopping experience aimed at fans that are looking for all collectors of games, t-shirts, comics, toys, statues, DVDs/Blu-rays, replicas, and more.
The vast range of activities and interests represented at Ottawa Mini-Comiccon draws attendees of all ages, from families with young children to teenage fans to seasoned collectors.

Spring Refresh Promotion

When: April 1-29, 2023
Where: Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock – 4837 Albion Rd S, Gloucester, ON K1X 1A3
What time: Open 24/7
Admission: N/A

$15,000 in Cash Prizes to be Won Every Weekend

Swing into Spring with Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock’s ultimate Spring Refresh promotion with over $75,000 in cash prizes to be won!

Join us at Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock, now through April 30th, for a chance to win $15,000 in total cash prizes every weekend. Three cash prize draws of $2,500 every Friday and Saturday evening all month long. Every $20 wagered earns you a ballot for a chance to win.

• Free Parking
• Play Smart. Must be 19+.

Click HERE to view full promotional details.

*Signing up for a Rock Star Rewards card is easy and free, visit our Rock Star Rewards Desk for details.

The chips are back in town! | Table Games Now Open

The wait is over! The chips are back in town with live table games now open daily from 12:00 p.m. (noon) – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and open 24/7 Friday through Sunday.

Get ready to experience the thrill of action-packed tables, including live Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat, now available. Pull up a seat and get into the action, plus enjoy the very best variety of slots, entertainment, live horse racing, and exceptional dining, all under one roof.
 

Live Harness Racing (Season Opener)

When: Sunday, April 2, 2023
Where: Rideau Carleton Raceway – 4837 Albion Rd S, Gloucester
What time: 6:30 pm post time
Admission/Cost: N/A

Experience Live Harness Horse Racing | Returning for the 2023 Racing Season

Experience exhilarating live standardbred harness racing in Ottawa! Live Racing returns on April 2 to Rideau Carleton Raceway for the 2023 racing season.

A key member of the Ontario harness racing community since 1962, Rideau Carleton Raceway is proud to welcome back harness racing for the 2023 racing season. Through April 2023, live harness racing will take place Wednesdays (post time 7:00 pm) and Sundays (post time 6:30 pm). Rideau Carleton Raceway will then switch to its original weekly schedule of racing Thursdays (post time 4:00 pm) and Sundays (post time 6:30 pm) in May for the rest of the 2023 season.

Enjoy one-of-a-kind harness racing events that you can't find anywhere else in the city. Rideau Carleton Raceway also offers off-track wagering and simulcast racing from Canada and across the world. After the race, the fun continues in the casino with gaming, live entertainment and exceptional dining, all under one roof. See you at the track!

The Lucky Ron Show @ The Chateau Lafayette

When: Every Saturday
Where: The Chateau Lafayette, 42 York Street
What time: 5 pm – 7 pm 
Admission: Free 

A true legend in the Ottawa Valley. The Lucky Ron Show has been a mainstay at The Laff since 1999; he performs every Saturday, showing up around 4 pm. It's a must-see when you're in town. So saddle up, grab a quart, and get ready to stomp, shout, hoot, and holler your way through the most fun you'll have on a Saturday afternoon in Ottawa and, arguably, the world! No cover, no reservations, and no tickets required!