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It feels good to be back
Come rediscover the core of our city in Ottawa’s urban neighbourhoods. Each offers an eclectic and unique mix of shops, restaurants, summertime experiences and people that give our city character and can brighten your day. We hope to welcome you back soon!
Neighbourhood Features
Sparks Street
Sparks Street BIA (SSBIA) is proud to be one of the most vibrant commercial districts in Ottawa. SSBIA came into existence when local business and property owners joined together to improve, promote, and undertake projects that create a stronger and more competitive commercial district. We organize, finance, and complete local improvements and promotional events. SSBIA hosts a variety of Ottawa’s most recognizable festivals including Ottawa Ribfest, Ottawa International Buskerfest, Sparks Poutinefest, and Winterlude. Improving the street within the eye of the Public Realm Plan for Sparks Street, the BIA creates inviting spaces and programming for visitors to enjoy such as the Green Zone, our Little Library reading area, the iconic OT_AWA letters, our Songs from the Shed series, interactive art exhibits, water bottle refill stations, and more.
July/Aug/Sep/Oct
Songs from the Shedevery Tuesday/Thursday 12-2pm local live performers
July 22 – 24
Ottawa Asian Festival / Night Market
July 29 – Aug. 1
ByWard Market
The ByWard Market is Ottawa’s number one tourist attraction, and is the premier destination for shopping, dining, arts, entertainment and professional services for residents and visitors. This area averages 50,000 visitors per weekend in the summer months. It is home to over 600 businesses, and a local market with artisans and many stands.
Bank Street
Representing history, culture, and growth, the Bank Street BIA connects the downtown core to real life. With its close proximity to Parliament Hill, famous Canadian museums and heritage sites, the community of Bank Street attracts residents and tourists alike. We’re a bold and vibrant community, and we’re proud to celebrate our heritage.
City at Night Street Pop-Up
City At Night, Ottawa’s electronic dance music venue is launching a street pop-up from July 15th – 17th weekend. Sip, lounge, and dance away under the night sky with some of the Nations Capitals most prominent dance music DJs and international guests.
Downtown Rideau
Ottawa’s original commercial street is today the urban nexus of downtown shopping, dining and entertainment in Canada’s capital. From Rideau Centre’s 160+ retailers to colourful local businesses to the National Arts Centre, Ottawa Art Gallery and Arts Court, Downtown Rideau never slows down.
Until July 24
Portals: Reflections in Light, is an exciting new interactive art installation located in Ogilvy Square adjacent to the Rideau Centre. Five colourfully painted giant rings filled with light and infinity mirrors will provide you with a sense of traveling through time as you explore and discover the heart of downtown Ottawa. Experience it for yourself, capture the moment and share it with others!
Website link:
https://downtownrideau.
Vanier
The Vanier BIA represents over 466 property and business owners across along our unique main streets: Beechwood Avenue, Montréal Road and McArthur Avenue. Our mission is to represent, enhance and promote a prosperous business area while also celebrating our diverse, vibrant and culturally rich streets and neighbours. Vanier BIA proudly represents the most culturally diverse mix of businesses in the city, set amongst a thriving IndigiCity, and anchored in strong Franco-Ontarien roots. Making Vanier is the neighbourhood where creativity, arts and cultural difference are celebrated.
The Vanier HUB is a community space offering summer-long programming! From July to October, the Vanier BIA and its partners will deliver diverse, inclusive, and bilingual programming. From daytime programming for youth to evening and weekend programming for the whole family you’ll find sports, music, movies, and even a campfire series for that urban camp experiences.
Little Italy
Welcome to Little Italy, where life is beautiful! One of Ottawa’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Little Italy is the place to live, work and play. With a refurbished main street, diverse cuisine, retail and services, Little Italy is a centre for life and culture! All roads lead to Preston Street.
In partnership with Freewheeling Craft, the Preston Street BIA is excited to host the Preston Street Market this summer, bringing back a rich history of weekly markets in Ottawa’s Little Italy. With over 200 shops, services and restaurants, only steps from Dow’s Lake and LeBreton Flats, the Preston Street Market is one more reason why Little Italy is the best community in Ottawa to live, work and play. This series brings emerging makers and creators to a vibrant market atmosphere in Little Italy and features exclusive programming such as free community yoga. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to the Preston Street Market – held every Sunday, all summer long!
The Glebe
This summer, rediscover the Glebe. In the heart of Ottawa, the Glebe is a leafy neighbourhood just south of Parliament Hill and Centretown. We’re home to some of Canada’s best independent shops and restaurants, Lansdowne Park and the winding Rideau Canal.
Chinatown
Visit Chinatown and experience the exotic culture, flavours, warm hospitality, and the diversity that it has to offer. With endless authentic dining gems and the most welcoming local businesses, your memories here will be unforgettable.
Great news! Ottawa’s long-awaited night market is coming back to Chinatown! July 22 nd through 24 th, Ottawa Chinatown will be a melting pot of cultural foods and street vendors, featuring non-stop multicultural performances including the dragon and lion dance, live music, K-pop, and so much more! Enjoy this family friendly weekend event in our very own Chinatown! For more information, visit https://ottawachinatown.ca/nightmarket/.
Westboro Village
Westboro Village is a long-established shopping district located just west of downtown Ottawa. Walk the tree-lined main street to shop in one-of-a-kind boutiques and contemporary stores, spend time in welcoming outdoor spaces, dine at the trendiest spots and enjoy the natural beauty and scenery in one of Ottawa’s oldest neighbourhoods.
From its humble beginnings, this business district has transformed today into a vibrant community brimming with shops and services, historic landmarks and murals surrounded by an urban neighbourhood with residential parks and natural recreational amenities.
Come play, work, and shop with us in Westboro Village.
Kite Nights
To help bring our community back together for summer of 2022, we are hosting Kite Nights for four Fridays in July.
More information is on our website or on Facebook Events.
https://westborovillage.com/celebrating-kitenights-in-westboro/
Somerset Village
Somerset BIA is perhaps one of the smallest BIA’s in the country. Our small area runs along Somerset St from Bank to O’Connor. Studded with an array of restaurants this vibrant community is found in the heart of Ottawa’s historical LGBTQ+ village. We are known for our nightlife and beautiful Victorian heritage buildings.
Elgin Street
One of Ottawa’s most historic streets, this summer Elgin is bustling with sidewalk cafés, fine dining, one-of-a-kind local shops, nightlife, festivals and more. From the National War Memorial in the north to the Canadian Museum of Nature in the south and City Hall in between, Elgin links major national and civic sites.