Things to Do in Ottawa This Fall: From Leaf-Peeping to Live Shows

Fall in Ottawa = crunchy leaves, cozy nights, and way too many pumpkin spice lattes.

If you’re hunting for things to do in Ottawa this fall, you’ve got options galore — from jaw-dropping fall colours to spooky Halloween haunts and the coziest indoor escapes. Whether you’re a local planning a date night, or you’ve got out-of-town family who want the “real Canadian experience,” here’s your ultimate guide.

Spoiler alert: we’ve saved the best for last. 😉

Best Places to See Fall Colours in Ottawa

Ottawa really shows off in the fall. Everywhere you look red, orange, and yellow leaves just begging for a photo (or 50).

🍁 Gatineau Park’s Fall Rhapsody – the official hotspot for fall foliage. Don’t skip Champlain Lookout.
🍁 Major’s Hill Park – stroll with a view of Parliament Hill.
🍁 Rideau Canal Pathways – classic Ottawa, crisp air included.
🍁 Dominion Arboretum – the oldest arboretum in Canada and the perfect fall backdrop.

Fall Festivals in Ottawa You Won’t Want to Miss

Ottawa doesn’t take fall lightly. Here’s what’s on:

🎃 Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village – 7,000+ hand-carved glowing pumpkins.
👻 Saunders Farm Haunting Season – haunted houses, hedge mazes, and cider.
🍻 Oktoberfest Ottawa – raise a stein and maybe do the chicken dance.
🥘 City Harvest – Ottawa’s ultimate food festival with local chefs and bites.

Indoor Activities in Ottawa for Rainy Fall Days

When the weather says no thanks, head indoors.

🖼️ National Gallery of Canada – world-class art without needing a passport.
🏛️ Canadian Museum of History – technically across the bridge, but worth it.
🕵️ Escape Manor or Haunted Walk of Ottawa – solve puzzles or scare yourself silly.

✨ And of course… the Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Show.
Where else do you get a five-course meal AND a comedy-filled, all-Canadian musical in a cozy log cabin downtown Ottawa? (Hint: nowhere else.)

Fun Things to Do in Ottawa for Date Nights & Group Outings

Fall in Ottawa has no shortage of date night ideas:

💡 Craft breweries & cozy restaurants
💡 Live concerts and theatre shows (check NAC events)
💡 Or… kill two birds with one stone → dinner AND entertainment at Oh Canada Eh!?

Perfect for couples, friend groups, or that office team-building night where you need something everyone can agree on.

Ottawa in the fall has it all — outdoor adventures, cozy festivals, and one-of-a-kind Canadian experiences.

And if you’d rather skip the pumpkin patches and rainy hikes? Join us for the Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Show — Ottawa’s hidden gem where the food is hot, the music is loud, and the jokes are very Canadian.

🎟️ Book your tickets now — and let us handle the cooking, cleaning, and entertaining.