City: Ottawa
Top Things to do in Ottawa
Top Restaurants in Ottawa
What to do and see in Ottawa, Canada: The Best Performances
Canada's capital is a compact, clean, cleverly planned center of culture and politics and a destination for every season. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and turns into the world’s largest skating rink when frozen in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.
Restaurants in Ottawa
1. Odyssey Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Odyssey Theatre is Ottawa's premiere open-air theatre company. Our plays are noted for imaginative use of masks, fusion of art forms and cultures, and innovative staging. Presented every summer ion Ottawa's historic Strathcona park on the banks of the Rideau river, five minutes from downtown, our Theatre under the Stars provides a charming natural setting that attracts a broad audience from across the nation's capital and tourists seeking a unique entertainment experience. "Odyssey Theatre is one of the most innovative, invigorating and consistently intelligent theatre companies in Canada..." - CBC Radio
2. Murder Mystery Ottawa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 364 reviews
A Murderously fun experience! Join us Saturday nights from September to May for two terrific shows upstairs in our showroom at The Prescott, 379 Preston Street in Little Italy. HARI-KARAOKE is a gut-bustingly funny mystery theatre performance about a karaoke contest that HITs the high notes but ends with a shocking surprise! You'll be dancing, laughing and cheering as the competition heats up. THE CODFATHER: At this memorial service we put the FUN back in funeral! Join the "Family" as they mourn the passing of The CodFather. There's a killer at large and a body is bound to drop before long! Our killer comedies are unforgettable fun. This is POPCORN THEATRE -No rubber chicken here! Complimentary popcorn is the only food served during the show so arrive early and grab dinner before the show at the Prescott. Show starts at 8pm and runs until just about 10pm which leaves you time to enjoy the surrounding nightlife. Our hilarious whodunnits are rated PG, gun play but no bad language.
Reviewed By LPICHETTE - Kanata, Canada
From the moment you are welcomed in to the venue, actors are in complete character. It's an excellent entertaining evening, and the TWIST at the end is brilliant. When you think it's going to be a "run of the mill" murder mystery evening.. it's not. Well written script and excellent actors.
3. The Comedy Magic Show
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Don't miss some of the most magical nights in Ottawa! Starring Michael Bourada, one of Ottawa's foremost magicians and an award-winning entertainer, the show will prove that magic is for adults too. You'll see stunning magic, mind blowing mental feats, hilarious illusions and endless audience interaction.
4. Changing of the Guard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 432 reviews
Formal ceremony taking place daily during the summer on Parliament Hill that shouldn't be missed.
Reviewed By debrakgrose - Port Perry, Canada
Catch the thrilling spectacle of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Come early (9:45 am) to learn about the symbolism, history and proceedings of this free ceremony. Changing the Guard takes place on the East Lawn of Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Canada, every morning, beginning at 9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., from late June through late August, and provides a colourful spectacle of pomp, pageantry and music. The parade begins at the Cartier Square Drill Hall with the drum major, followed by the band, and the two divisions of the 'new guard'. Turning north onto Queen Elizabeth Drive, the parade continues underneath the Laurier Avenue bridge and then turns left onto the ramp leading onto Laurier Avenue (Ottawa). then North onto Elgin Street. While the New Guard is en route to Parliament Hill the Old Guard forms up behind the East Block with the colour. They set off at approximately 9:45 a.m. with the Pipes and Drums of the Ceremonial Guard leading. They march to the east lawn and move into position, then they await the New Guard arriving. The New Guard marches north on Elgin Street up to the National War Memorial and onto Wellington Street before the parade arrives on Parliament Hill precisely at 10 a.m. At this time the band begins to play "The 10 Provinces March" by Howard Cable. The parade marches onto the east lawn of Parliament, with the band centred at the northernmost edge of the lawn and facing south. The old guard is in position on the west side of the east lawn and faces the east block, while the new guard marches to the east side of the lawn and faces west towards the old guard. After the old and new guards are formed from three ranks into two and independently dressed off for proper alignment, the two sergeants of the guard – commanders of the two divisions of new guard – advance to be inspected by the company sergeant-major. Following inspection, the number two division sergeant marches to his position while the number one division sergeant stands still. The new guard is then given the order "Get on parade", at which point they advance to the tune of "The British Grenadiers" from the band, and form up dressed off the sergeants of the guard. The new guard's persons and weapons are inspected by the company commander, and they are stood at ease. Following the inspection of the new guard, the old guard is inspected. After this inspection, the sergeants of the guard and division seconds-in-command are ordered to 'take post' – the sergeant of the guard marches from the right flank to directly behind the guard, while the second-in-command marches from the left flank to the right. The parade is then called to the present arms for the marching on of the regimental colours. With the colours marched on, the new guard advances at the slow march, ceremonially 'taking up the ground' from the old guard. The old guard and new guard salute each other at present arms. Following this, the old guard commander presents the key to the Guard Room at Rideau Hall to the new guard commander. The parade is then formed into three ranks and marched off at the slow march, transitioning into the quick march. The order of march differs only in that the old guard is now at the rear. This large-scale production includes a regimental band and pipers. If you love pipes, drums, and full Regimental band then this is a must see event in the summer in Ottawa
5. GigSpace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
GigSpace Performance Studio is dedicated to creating inspired artistic performances, while providing an intimate listening room for discerning audiences. Featuring musicians from across Canada, the United States, Ireland, France, Brazil and the Ottawa/Gatineau area. GigSpace seats 46 persons and has a cash bar serving local craft beer, red and white wine. GigSpace is a not-for-profit organization with charitable status.
6. Kanata Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By 997bjp - Ottawa, Canada
This was my first time seeing a play at the Ron Maslin Playhouse, We saw "Don't Dress For Dinner". The actors enthusiastically portrayed their roles. It was a light comedy, clever dialogue, good directorship of the play, good lighting and stage props. I have seen plays at The Shaw Theatre in Niagara -on-the-Lake, several theatres in London, and at the NAC and Centrepointe in Ottawa, and I was impressed at the professionalism of this production and the venue. I would definitely encourage attending these plays at the theatre and supporting local theatre.
7. Vineyards Wine Bar & Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 30 reviews
8. Elgin Street Improv
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
9. Molly McGuire's
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
10. The Rainbow
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 13 reviews
