What's on in the Outaouais in September

Published on August 31 2023

The month of September slowly ushers in fall, and with it, cooler temperatures, early fall colours and, of course, the fragrance of delicious apple desserts cooking somewhere.

Treat Yourself to the Last Harvests

September is the ideal month to take a tour of the Outaouais’ vineyards to wander between the vines of different varieties of grapes. Step aboard the Aventure Outaouais minivan and set off to explore the Pontiac Wine and Cider Trail in an all-inclusive package. Visit two vineyards and one cider mill, including the Domaine de Pontiac Village and the Little Red Wagon Winery as well as the Coronation Hall Cider Mills and enjoy on-site tastings of their wares. Enjoy the tastes of the Outaouais in moderation!  

Take a stroll in one of the region’s orchards and take the opportunity to pick your own apples. Bring friends or family along to enjoy other goods such as apple butter or candy apples. The Verger Merleau is the place to be when it comes to apples and apple-based products like cider. Meet with Michel Merleau and taste the best that apples have to offer.  

Visit the region’s different public markets and stock up on local produce and products before they’re no longer in season. Take a walk to Potager Eardley, where you can purchase homemade kombucha, pies baked to perfection and fresh vegetables. Have fun seeing the farm animals or playing in the play area and grab a taste of artisanal gelato while you’re at it.  


GO OUT WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS

Learn the art of farming in the middle of downtown at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. The whole family will be captivated by its many exhibitions, from barns to the most complex agricultural innovations. In particular, you can discover aquaculture and the expertise of those who transform fields into lands of abundance. 

During your hikes in the forest of the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, admire the evolving works of art that change with the seasons. This one-of-a-kind experience, called Land Art, seeks to make this emerging form of contemporary art known while making the most of the great outdoors. Take a look at the work of the 2023 edition’s artists along the recreational trails of the Lacs Cèdres in Messines and Lac Mud in Gracefield as well as Le Régalis path in Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-GatineauThe Land Art from previous years is still accessible on neighbouring paths. 


Thanks to Expérience Outaouais, enjoy a personalized package of two nights of glamping and outdoor activities in Kenauk Nature. In the heart of this immense nature reserve, sail on the magnificent Lac Papineau, wander on the pedestrian paths or try other exciting experiences. When the stars come out, relax in the comfort of your ready-to-camp unit that is both convenient and rustic. 

Make the most of the last beautiful, warm days in the great outdoors thanks to Escape Tours and Rentals. Hop on a rental bike and meander along downtown’s most beautiful roads. For an adventure on the Ottawa River, rent a boat or take a paddleboarding lesson.  


A Jam-Packed Calendar

Attention all car and speed enthusiasts, the Club automobile défi Outaouais is the event for you. See you in Petite Nation from September 8 to September 10 for the Rallye Défi, an event of international renown. Watch a performance car rally on gravel and asphalt roads where the drivers reach speeds of over 190 km/h over 20 races.   

From September 8 to 10, celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Riverside Festival, which will take place at the Canadian Museum of History. Artists of international renown come to town and invite you to light up the dance floor to the sound of their music: Seven Lions, Two Friends, Zeds Dead and more. Switch to festival mode, this is going to be totally wild! Get your tickets now. 


Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Zones Théâtrales! This event by the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre will take place from September 11 to 16 at the Canadian Museum of History. Take part in free cultural events, watch performances and take a look at astonishing works  dealing with several topical subjects. The crème de la crème of Quebecois and Franco-Canadian theatre will be there.     

Passionate about nature and running? It’s time for you to register for the Coureur des bois Challenge organized by PERO – Pôle d’excellence en récréotourisme en Outaouais. Take part in the September 3 race in Gracefield, the September 17 race in Grand-Remous or the October 1 race in Messines. Different routes are available according to your desired level of difficulty.  Register online now! 


From September 15 to 17, meet at the Gatineau airport for Aéro Gatineau-Ottawa, a festival showcasing sixty planes, on the ground as well as in the air. Take the chance to see vintage aircraft and all kinds of demonstrations involving not only airplanes, but also parachutists. The Snowbirds will also be part of the show.  

Come support world-class women’s cyclists during the Gatineau Tour, which will take place on September 15, 16 and 17. The three impressive competitions will keep the crowd on its toes: the individual time trial, the road race and the British Grand Prix criterium. 


Follow the trail called On the artists’ path and take a tour of the workshops in an event organized by the  Studio Tour group to discover the spaces over twenty Chelsea and Wakefield artists and artisans use to practise their craft. The artists will open their workshops doors to you on September 23, 24 and 30 as well as on October 1.  

Looking for a new athletic challenge in the field? This September 30, bring your family to the first ever trail des draveurs race. On the magnificent paths of Nakkertok forest, choose one of the walking or racing courses according to your level of experience. 

From September 29 to October 1, attend the Symposium Gatineau en couleurs and take a look at the talented work of 70 renowned artists. See detailed sculptures and stunning paintings from all over Quebec and Ontario.  

Other things to discover in the Outaouais

Take to the Outaouais’ roads with none other than Marguerite, a convertible!  A rental service and a myriad of guided experiences are offered by Ottawa Classic Rides. Choose a personalized package and take a trip to the beautiful destinations in the region.  

More interested in a nautical getaway? Go pontooning on the magnificent Lake McGregor with Location de Ponton Lucky Jack, located in Val-des-Monts. Spend the day peacefully sailing with friends and enjoying the wind in your hair. What a lovely way to have a good time! 


For nature adventurers, explore the new bike trail network of Montebello Mountain Bike. Hop on your fat tire bike or your mountain bike and race down 25 km of paths. Traversing ancestral lands, choose a trail according to your level of experience and pass the time surrounded by nature. It’s an accessible activity for the whole family. 

To get even more suggestions, take a look at our full program on our Events page. 

 

Reserve a package with Expérience Outaouais and discover everything the Outaouais has to offer in September. 

Categories

Things to do

OTHER ARTICLES THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU
Share
Facebook Twitter Email