The long weekend is here and you can make the most of that extra day off with fun outdoor activities around Ottawa.
You can hang on to summer with a colourful day trip and by visiting a new rooftop patio or ease into the fall season with apple picking farm adventures.
Here are seven things to do this weekend in Ottawa to celebrate Labour Day.
Watch balloons fly over a carnival
Price: $17.99-$34.99 for a day pass, $54.99 for a 5-day pass
When: September 1 to 5, 2022
Address: La Baie Park, Rue Saint-Antoine, Gatineau, QC
Why You Need To Go: The FMG - Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival takes place all weekend. You can admire new balloon designs as they float up in the sky and even book a balloon ride to reach new heights. There is also a firework show, live concerts and an amusement park with rides.
Watch a movie outdoors
Movie screening in the Byward Market at sunset.
Capital Pop-Up Cinema | Facebook
Price: Free
When: September 1, 2022
Address: Byward Market, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Capital Pop-Up Cinema is Ottawa's only travelling theatre and the next show is this weekend. The free event offers concessions but you're also able to bring your own along with lawn chairs. It is showing Clueless on September 1, Isle of Dogs on the ninth and Beetlejuice on the 23.
Pick fresh orchard apples
Price: Free admission, $27.50 for an 11-pound apple bag
When: Open August 27, 2022
Address: 10175 Clark Rd., Mountain ON
Why You Need To Go: There are a number of picturesque apple orchards around Ottawa including Mountain Orchards. Not only can you pick a bag of fresh apples but you can also enjoy farm activities including a wagon ride and corn maze. The bakery store has fresh treats like butter tarts and donuts.
Admire lights on Parliament Hill
Price: Free
When: Until September 5, 2022
Address: Wellington St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Northern Lights sound and light show is back this summer after a two-year hiatus and this is the last weekend to watch the evening spectacle on Parliament Hill. It begins at 9 p.m.
Enjoy a rooftop patio drink
Price: 💸💸
Address: 379 Preston St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The season for outdoor dining is a short one in Ottawa so why not hit up a rooftop patio before the seasons change? The Prescott opened a new patio in August so you can enjoy your meatball sandwich or chicken fingers as you gaze down on Little Italy.
Day trip to a rainbow wharf
Price: Free
Address: South Lancaster, ON
Why You Need To Go: The South Lancaster Wharf is a picturesque waterfront lined with colourful boathouses and you'll feel like you're on the East coast. It's close to the city of Cornwall so you can make a full day of the adventure.
Join a massive paint workshop
Price: Free (donations strongly encouraged)
When: September 4, 2022, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: Confederation Park, Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can paint outside while listening to music during this mental health fundraiser. A paint kit with paints, a canvas and brushes will be provided but you can also bring your own.
Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, centre, applauds with Parti Québécois elected members following a swearing in ceremony at the legislature in Quebec City, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
This composite of handout images shows Canadian Armed Forces members, left to right, Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, Pte. Shaun Farrell, Pte. Aidan Goulding and Sgt. Morgan Wong, who died during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Facebook, Nadine Dunford; Patricia Farrell; Wylder Goulding; Canadian Armed Forces (Mandatory Credit)
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith arrives to speak during a news conference in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 22, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A recent paper by the Quebec English-speaking Communities Research Network, which operates out of Concordia University in Montreal, shows that young English-speaking adults are more likely to leave Quebec. The CHU de Quebec, Université Laval, Hotel Dieu de Quebec hospital top right, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 in Quebec City.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot