Things to do in Ottawa this week: July 12–18

This week splits down the middle: Sunday and Monday offer clear, warm conditions perfect for getting outside, then Tuesday's heat peaks just as rain moves in. By Thursday the sky darkens and cools, leaving Friday and Saturday damp and cool. Plan accordingly, and you'll make the most of what Ottawa's offering right now.

The biggest draw this week is Coheed and Cambria, the American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York, taking the stage at Hard Rock Casino Ottawa on Tuesday, July 14 at 7:00 PM. The band, formed in 1995, brings Claudio Sanchez, Travis Stever, Josh Eppard, and Zach Cooper—their full-throttle prog-rock catalogue spanning complex compositions and theatrical presence. The venue is about 16 kilometres outside the city in Gloucester, but worth the short drive if you're into intricate, guitar-driven rock. Fair warning: it's a 19-plus show, and Tuesday's forecast peaks at 38°C—bring water.

On the sports side, the Hamilton Honey Badgers visit the Ottawa Blackjacks at The Arena at TD Place on Sunday at 4:00 PM, a good early-week option on a clear, warm afternoon. Later in the week, Ottawa Rapid FC hosts Halifax Tides FC on Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 PM at TD Place Stadium. That's a cooler, drizzly evening, so grab a seat under cover. The Atlético Ottawa takes on Inter Toronto FC on Friday, July 17 at 7:00 PM at the same stadium—still overcast and cool, but the rain odds drop. If baseball is your thing, the Down East Bird Dawgs visit the Ottawa Titans starting Friday, July 17 and running through the weekend at Ottawa Stadium.

Beyond the marquee events, two restaurant openings deserve your attention. Pine Marten has launched in the basement of Brigid's Well on Cumberland Street, where an executive chef is running a tight rotation of housemade pickles, cured meats, and focaccia—ideal for a quick, quality bite before or after a show. Rockin' Johnny's Diner has reopened on Merivale Road after the Westgate Mall closure, now in the former Happy Greek spot near No Frills and Winners. The 1950s aesthetic remains, but with a more upscale execution—a solid bet for breakfast or a casual dinner. If you want something meatier, The Shore Club or Luxe Bistro are solid steakhouse choices for Friday or Saturday, when the cooler, damp weather calls for something warming and substantial.

Across the river in Gatineau, roughly 4 kilometres away, the Theatre du Casino du Lac-Leamy is running ABBA Celebration from Wednesday through Saturday, July 15–18, with four performances spread across those days. It's a tribute show, so if you're in the mood for a night of Swedish pop nostalgia in a casino setting, it's there—though check the box office for exact showtimes.

If you have one night to commit this week, spend Tuesday evening at Coheed and Cambria. The band's catalog is deep and rewarding live, the venue is solid, and you'll catch them on their own terms rather than as part of a festival crowd. Just arrive early: it's 16 kilometres out, and the heat means traffic.