Skip to content
HighOnCity Ottawa
The Editor's Desk · Ottawa Briefing

Cool Saturday ahead—Cirque, live music, and wheelchair basketball.

Bundle up: it's dipped to 6°C. Plenty to do indoors and out before the sun sets at 7:07.

Sat · Sep 19, 2026 · Live
Cool Saturday ahead—Cirque, live music, and wheelchair basketball.

Morning, it's noticeably colder than the last few days—we're down to 6°C and mainly clear skies. That UV is still solid at 5.0, so if you're out and about, the sun's deceptive; dress in layers and you'll be fine. You've got good daylight to work with—just over 12 hours—but that sunset at 7:07 means evening plans should kick off early if you want to catch outdoor light.

A couple of things worth knowing as you head into your weekend. A motorcyclist in his 40s was killed in a crash near Osgoode earlier this week—one of those reminders to stay sharp on the roads, especially as the season shifts. On better news, the Royal has opened a mental health crisis clinic that's already logged 700 visits since Monday; if you or anyone you know has been struggling to get support, it's worth knowing it's there.

If you've been craving a night out, Ek Bar—the Toronto restaurateur's only spot out here—is closing by month-end, so if it's on your list, don't wait. On the flip side, Ruby's just opened in the ByWard Market with elegant small plates and an ambitious wine program if you're after something fresh. Arlo on Somerset has quietly grown from a pandemic wine bar into a serious restaurant over six years; worth a visit if it's been on your radar.

Tonight's got real range. Cirque du Soleil's *Luzia* is running at St Laurent Shopping Centre at 4:00 PM if you want acrobatic spectacle—that's an easy indoor option for the cooler day. CityFolk Festival kicks off at the RA Centre at 5:00 PM with live music. If you're after something different, Jesse & Joy are playing the Hard Rock Café at 7:00 PM for some Latin vibes. And if theatre's your thing, *Come From Away* is on at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe in Nepean at 2:00 PM.

Later this evening, the wheelchair basketball medal rounds are happening at The Arena at TD Place starting at 10:00 AM—the 2026 IWBF World Championships. If you haven't caught these yet, it's genuinely thrilling stuff.

Plan your evening around that sunset; bundled up, you could catch something outdoors early, then slide into something warm and live indoors as it gets dark. Stay warm out there.

★ FREE NEWSLETTER
Get the best of Ottawa–Gatineau in your inbox

The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.