Special events and offers

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Older adult activities: free virtual programs

Ottawa residents 50+ can enjoy a variety of virtual programs designed to promote learning, wellness, and community engagement—all from the comfort of home! Programs cater to a wide range of interests, including fitness classes, educational workshops, and creative arts. Whether you're looking to stay active, develop new skills, or connect with others in the community, there's something for everyone. Best of all, these programs are funded, making them accessible to all. If your preferred class isn’t available right away, simply join the waitlist for updates on new openings! For a full list of virtual programs available, visit register.ottawa.ca. Enjoy your class!

Older Adult - free virtual programs
Program Date Time Activity code
Book Club Monday, September 9 7 pm 111910
Book Club Thursday, September 12 7 pm 111908
Strong and Steady! 65+ Tuesday, September 24 9 am 113388
TIME – at Home Tuesday, October 1 10 am 113389
Echoes of Experience: Crafting a Personal Narrative Wednesday, October 2 12:15 pm 111775
Watercolours Wednesday, October 2 9:45 am 111825
Art Journalling Thursday, October 3 9:45 am 111832
Drawing for Absolute Beginners Thursday, October 3 12:15 pm 111816
Artists Connection Thursday, October 10 10 am 111925
Spirit of the Ancestors: Indigenous Beadwork Workshop Wednesday, October 23 12:15 pm 113968
Sketching en Plein Air Wednesday, November 6 12:15 pm 111846
Drawing and Painting Wednesday, November 6 9:45 am 111861
Coloured Pencils Thursday, November 7 9:45 am 111864
Nature Sketching Thursday, November 7 12:15 pm 111850
Soft Pastels Wednesday, December 4 12:15 pm 111720
Guitar - Level 1 Wednesday, December 4 10:45 am 111890
Ukulele Wednesday, December 4 9:45 am 111896
Zen Doodling Wednesday, December 4 9:45 am 111801
Watercolours Thursday, December 5 12:15 pm 111734
Travel Sketching and Painting Thursday, December 5 9:45 am 111755
 

Nepean Sportsplex Christmas Craft Show

The Nepean Sportsplex Christmas Craft show has been a fixture in our community since 1973. Giving local and Canadian vendors the chance to showcase their hand-crafted products including clothing and accessories, jewelry, wood products, artworks, leather goods and more!  

Vendors

Interested in becoming a vendor? Email the organizers. 

Note: Vendors must be available for all four days of the Christmas craft show to be eligible to participate.

Tony Graham Youth Workout Pass

Tony Graham Automotive Group is entering their second year of a ten-year partnership with Ottawa! 

A portion of this partnership goes towards investing in recreation programming for youth in communities across our city. The Tony Graham youth workout pass offers a free weight and cardio-room membership to Ottawa youth between the ages of 13 and 17 that will be valid from July 2 to August 31.

To qualify, participants must:

  • Be a resident of Ottawa
  • Be between the ages of 13 and 17
  • Attend a mandatory orientation session if the participant is between 13 and 15. Youth ages 16 and 17 do not require an orientation session, though it is highly recommended.
  • Have the consent form received at orientation signed by a parent or guardian. No participant will be allowed to use the facilities without one.

Orientation session registration begins May 16.

Note: The free youth workout pass is for weight and cardio-rooms only. This pass does not include access to drop-in sport or fitness classes.

Participating facilities (subject to change)

Free fitness pass - Try It

Visit a participating facility to sign up for a free Try It fitness pass. No appointment needed. Your free pass gives you three visits to participating facilities.

Access

  • Weight and cardio rooms
  • Squash and racquetball courts
  • Aquafitness classes
  • Indoor cycling classes
  • Public skating sessions
  • Group fitness classes

Details

  • Passes begin on your first day of use and must be used within 30 days.
  • Passes can only be used at participating locations.
  • Users must not have been a member of the City of Ottawa fitness within the past six months.
  • Users must be 13 years or older. 

Participating facilities

Birthday party packages

Skip the work and plan your next birthday party with the City of Ottawa. Our recreation facilities offer a fun, safe and affordable place to party with friends and family. Private rooms, well equipped kitchens, and at some locations, even event coordinators are available. All your birthday parties can be simple and stress free. Contact your neighbourhood recreation centre for more information.

Party in our pool

Splish! Splash! Under the watchful eye of well trained lifeguards, our indoor swimming and wave pools offer group rates for the perfect spot to host a birthday party. Select pools have rooms to rent to complete the party with your snacks and cake. Contact your neighbourhood pool for more information.

Party on the ice

Slip on your skates for a private rental or join a public skating session! After enjoying your ice activity, rent a room at select arenas to serve your hot chocolate and cake. To book ice time contact our City Wide Allocations staff.

Specialized parties

Many recreation facilities offer themed or specialized parties to make your child’s birthday a special one! Qualified staff will customize games, sports and crafts for a perfect celebration! Our Arts Centres offer creative workshops such as multi-media, drama, jazz dance, pottery and even clowning! Contact your neighbourhood recreation centre for more information.

Gift certificates

With such a huge variety of recreation and cultural offerings, a City of Ottawa gift certificate is a great choice for everyone.  Use them for registered programs, like courses and camps, drop-in activities and memberships.

They are not sold online, but they can be applied to an online account to be redeemed for use when registering for a program on our registration website.  

Where to purchase:

Theatre gift certificates

Gift certificates for events at City of Ottawa's theatres can be purchased through Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe and Shenkman Arts Centre websites or in-person during box office hours.

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