How to enjoy October in Ottawa
We at Lagois are softies when it comes to October. We love the cooler air, the clear sky that seems to have its own shade of blue, the changing leaves, and perhaps the last chance to enjoy warmth and sunshine before that dreaded winter darkness falls in November.
Here are some things we think you might like to do.
Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square Fall Finale
Saturday, October 10, 10 am to 4 pm
Watson’s Mill, 5525 Dickinson Street, Manotick
Admission: Free
Horse and wagon rides: $3 per person
It’s always a good time to visit Manotick, but this one seems made for fall. Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square will be celebrating the end of the season with guided tours, children’s games and crafts, a scavenger hunt, a Jack-o’-Lantern contest and the Manotick Farmers’ Market. Horse and wagon rides run from 11 am to 2 pm, and the mill’s final flour grind of the year takes place from 1 to 3 pm.
More information here.
One World Bazaar
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 9–11, October 9, 10, 11, 12;October 16, 17, 18; October 23, 24, 25; October 30, 31.
10 am to 5 pm
6110 Mitch Owens Road, Manotick
Admission: Free
Free parking
Housed in a converted heritage barn, this annual fall market is filled with handmade goods, home décor, jewelry, clothing, pottery and other treasures from artisans around the world.
More information here.
Beautiful fall colours in Gatineau Park
Friday, October 16, 3 to 5 pm
Relais plein air and Gatineau Park trails
Cost: $15
Online registration required
The Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau is a main starting point for outdoor enthusiasts. Located close to downtown, it provides direct access to Gatineau Park trails, as well as a range of services, outdoor programs and special events that are organized year-round.
You can rent equipment, including inclusive equipment for people with disabilities, and buy trail maps as well as Park passes.
A guide from the Friends of Gatineau Park leads participants along the trails, talking about the changing forest, wildlife and plants as the landscape prepares for winter. Afterwards, you can stop at the Relais café.
More information here.
Sculpture Expo in the Glebe
Saturday, October 17, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, October 18, 10 am to 4 pm
Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue
Admission: Free
On-site parking available
Sculpture Expo brings together artists from across the National Capital Region, with work in stone, wood, steel, bronze and mixed media. You can meet the artists, talk about their work and browse the Gift Boutique, where original pieces under $100 are available.
More information here.
Glebe Halloween Village
Saturday, October 17, 11 am to 2 pm
Glebe Avenue, between Lyon and Bank streets
Admission: Free
This is Halloween but without the scary stuff, so it’s perfect for little kids. Glebe Halloween Village is a daytime, accessible trick-or-treating event designed for families and children. More than 25 trick-or-treating stations offer treats and activities, with crafts, prizes and special visitors along the way.
(Costumes are encouraged, of course.) It’s ideal not only for children but for parents and grandparents. And because of its accessible arrangement, it’s perfect for people of all ages with mobility, sensory, or intellectual disabilities who may not typically get to participate in trick or treating.
More information here.
Hintonburg Howl-O-Ween
Saturday, October 17, 12 to 4 pm
Parkdale Park, 366 Parkdale Avenue
Admission: Free
Join the Pawty! Bring the family… and your favourite family dog. Hintonburg’s Howl-O-Ween is a free neighbourhood celebration featuring a dog costume parade, local judges, a market, snacks, a photo booth and plenty of Halloween spirit. The event also supports local dog rescues, so you can have some fun while supporting a good cause.
More information here.
Dream along with us
Reno Tour Parade of Homes
Sunday, October 18, 10 am to 4 pm
Various locations throughout Ottawa.
A yearly Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association event, this is a day when homeowners open their homes to let you see their recent renovations.
The Lagois project for this year is at 3684 Revelstoke Drive. We hope you’ll join us!
More information here.
Pumpkinfest at Proulx Maple & Berry Farm
Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Monday, 10 am to 5 pm, through October 31
1865 O’Toole Road
Admission: approximately $21.60 per person
(Pumpkins are extra)
This is an annual family event in celebration of fall, including
Face painting
Hay structure
Play structures, tree house and slides
Several giant outdoor play parks
Mazes and corn field mazes
Family-friendly wagon ride through the mysterious forest
A petting farm: touch, feed and learn
Inflatable structures
…and of course, you can pick your own pumpkins!
More information here.
Wickedly Westboro
Saturday, October 24, 1 to 4 pm
Westboro Village, beginning at 190 Richmond Road and continuing along Richmond Road and McRae Avenue
Admission: Free
Westboro Village gets into the Halloween spirit with its annual neighbourhood trick-or-treating event. Families can come in costume, walk from shop to shop and collect sweet surprises along the way. It’s free, rain or shine, and a good excuse to spend some time exploring Westboro’s shops, cafés and restaurants while the neighbourhood is dressed up for Halloween.
More information here.
Halloween at the Diefenbunker
Saturday, October 31
Free Halloween programming: 10 am to 1 pm
Diefenbunker, 3929 Carp Road
Halloween activities: Free
Museum admission and scavenger hunt: Regular admission
For a Halloween outing with history behind it, head to the Diefenbunker in Carp. The museum will offer free Halloween programming at the entrance and in the Blast Tunnel, including family activities, a spooky photo backdrop and trick-or-treating while supplies last. Costumes are welcome. If you want to spend more time underground, you can purchase regular museum admission and take part in the Halloween-themed scavenger hunt.
More information here.
A creative Sunday at the Ottawa Art Gallery
Sunday, October 18, 10 am to 2 pm
Ottawa Art Gallery Studio, 10 Daly Avenue
Admission: Free
No registration required
This is an especially good rainy-day option when the leaves are beautiful, but the weather simply isn’t cooperating. Creative Sundays at the Ottawa Art Gallery are free, drop-in activities for all ages. Families can explore the current exhibition with a gallery educator and then head into the Studio for an art activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but otherwise there’s no registration and no cost.
More information here.
Here’s to a beautiful October, plenty of sunshine, pumpkins and family time…and a very Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Lagois.
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