Things to do in Ottawa this week: June 1–7, 2026

This week splits into two distinct stretches: a cool, clear start that warms steadily through midweek, then a damp final push into the weekend. That arc shapes everything — get your outdoor plans in before Friday's drizzle, and save the theatres and indoor shows for when the rain closes in.

The headline act is Alyssa Edwards at Algonquin Commons Theatre on Friday at 8 PM. Edwards rose to international attention as a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race and has built a career as a choreographer and performer with genuine star power; her Ottawa stop is the kind of booking that draws beyond the usual drag crowd. Friday night carries a 21 percent rain chance and a high of 24 degrees, so it is still passable, but the real outdoor window closes after that.

If live music is your thing, Friday is stacked. illScarlett plays Rum Runners at 8 PM, marking 20 years as a Canadian reggae and rock fixture — a hometown milestone worth witnessing. Earlier that evening, Family Man and local outfit Neon Ghosthouse take the stage at The 27 Club at 7:30 PM. For something quieter, Dan Bern and Canadian singer-songwriter Orit Shimoni perform at Live On Elgin on Saturday at 7:30 PM; tickets start at $31.

Theater lovers should catch Singin' In The Rain at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, running through Sunday with five performances across the week. It is a solid crowd-pleaser if you want a polished evening indoors.

Monday and Tuesday stay cool and clear — highs of 21 and 23 degrees respectively — making them ideal for outdoor moves before the warmth peaks. Wednesday and Thursday are the week's standout days: overcast but dry, with highs climbing to 26 and 28 degrees. That is when you take a long lunch, hit a patio, or simply walk the Rideau Canal pathway. If you have not yet made it to Owl Park, this is the window.

Sports anchor the midweek calendar. The Ottawa Titans host the New York Boulders for two games at Ottawa Stadium on June 3 and 4, while the REDBLACKS take on the Edmonton Elks at TD Place on Saturday at 7 PM.

For dining, Starling Restaurant and Bar offers an easy, warm welcome if the weather turns; their wine list is solid and the room inviting. If midweek sun holds, Luxe Bistro has excellent sightlines and a more formal vibe for a special dinner. THE ALBION ROOMS RESTAURANT splits the difference — gastropub comfort with real craft — and works in sun or cloud.

One clear call this week: if you care about drag or live performance at all, Alyssa Edwards on Friday is not a miss. She is a genuine draw, the show will move fast, and it lands in that last window before the weekend weather softens. Book it early and plan your patio dinner accordingly. Everything else flows from the forecast — let the sun guide the rest.