MAX Ottawa

Winter Pride Party
2026-02-28 21:00 - 2026-03-01 01:00 (America/Toronto) | AIDS Committee of Ottawa, 19 Main St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S1A9, Canada
🔥❄️ WARM BODIES, HOT BEATS! ❄️🔥

Get ready to turn up the heat this winter!

Join the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) for an unforgettable night of music, culture, movement, and community at our Winter Pride Party! 🌈

🎧 Hot beats & winter vibes🎲 Interactive sexual health games🎭 Cultural performances🍿 Snacks & drinks🎁 Raffles, door & game prizes

Whether you’re coming to dance, learn, connect, or just vibe, this is a space for warm bodies, bold joy, and radical celebration. Come as you are—and bring your friends!

Sunday Afternoon Bear Walk
2026-03-01 14:30 - 15:40, 2026-03-08 14:30 - 15:40 | Ottawa / Gatineau Pathways, Ottawa, Canada
Join other gay and bisexual men (including gay and bi transmen) for a one hour walk every Sunday at 2:30pm. Locations vary each week and are posted to the website through the link below.

Karaoke Night
2026-03-01 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-03-05 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-03-08 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-03-12 20:00 - 23:00 | T’s, 323 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON, 2P 0J8, Canada
Karaoke with fellow Queers hosted by Jolene.

Rainbow Registered Presents: GENDERCRAFT
2026-03-02 13:00 - 14:30 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/rainbow-registered-presents-gendercraft-2/
Gender Identity Applications

This module begins with a review of best practices related to supporting people with diverse gender identities in three areas: personal support, institutional practices, and environmental experiences.

Following this review, there is a brief discussion of current political realities facing people with diverse gender identities, discussing international context and reviewing current Canadian issues.

The bulk of the module will be a discussion of four scenarios. Each participant will have time to discuss two scenarios in detail, and review the other two scenarios as part of a debrief. Each scenario has proposed discussion questions, and most scenarios also include suggested scripts for practice.

5-Pin Bowling
2026-03-02 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-03-09 18:30 - 20:00 | West Park Lanes, 1205 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 2Z8, Canada
EVERYONE is welcome (please bring your friends!) to join us for a fun evening of 5-pin bowling at the West Park Lanes bowling alley at 1205 Wellington Street West. We play two games. The cost is $10.00, including shoe rental. It’s quite informal. You don’t have to join a team, just show up at West Park Lanes. Please come to the lanes early—at least 15 minutes early.

Rainbow Coffee Club
2026-03-04 10:00 - 11:30 | The Good Companions, 670 Albert St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6L2, Canada
Join us on the first and third Wednesday, 10:00 – 11:30 AM at The Good Companions for coffee, tea, treats, and great company.

Most meetings feature guest speakers on engaging topics.

Contact Sarah at srea@thegoodcompanions.ca for details.

Dodgeball
2026-03-04 20:00 - 21:30, 2026-03-11 20:00 - 21:30 | Notre Dame High School, 710 Broadview Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, K2A 2M2, Canada
Queer Dodgeball is all about having fun. A low-commitment activity to do with friends – you might even make new friends too!

Haven’t played dodgeball since elementary school? Don’t worry, neither have we. The rules of the game are explained before every session. Headshots are not allowed.

You need: A pair of indoor shoes! You will not be granted access into the gym without this.

How to sign up?

Sign up for the full season or for individual games through the link below. For drop-ins, select the date you’d like to sign up for and follow the prompts.

You will receive a confirmation email upon payments. You only need to fill out the waiver and health questionnaire once per season.

Pinball Women Ottawa Tournament
2026-03-04 20:00 - 23:00 | Lowertown Brewery, 73 York St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5T2, Canada
Pinball Women Ottawa (PWO) is a group in the Ottawa area for women, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals of all skill levels and ages that provides a supportive and inclusive environment to play and learn about pinball.

PWO’s monthly tournaments are on the **1st Wednesday each month at LOWERTOWN BREWERY** in the Byward Market.

When: Doors at 7pm // Tournament starts at 8pm.

Format: 3 Strikes Knockout. Group size TBD!

Additional information:

PWO has a new “pay it forward” initiative, that folks are welcome to access and/or contribute to.

Most of the machines at Lowertown are on the ground level. A few are downstairs. Please inform a TD if you need to stick to the ground floor.

Lowertown has one gender neutral & accessible washroom on the ground floor. The door must be opened manually (no automatic door).

When in the lower level room, feel free to close the sliding door to avoid disruptions from curious patrons. The lower level is not as closely monitored by bar staff as the ground floor.

Spectrum (YSB)
2026-03-05 17:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Youth Services Bureau, 147 Besserer St, Ottawa, K1N 6A7, Canada
Looking for a fun, queer chat with people your age? Want to just hang out, eat some snacks and meet new friends? Are you interested in having some discussions about sexuality, identity, homophobia and your personal experience? YSB is proud to offer Spectrum, a program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Ottawa!

Join Spectrum on Instagram

Spectrum meets every Thursday from 5-7 p.m. upstairs at our 147 Besserer St location.

How to access the program

We provide workshops, discussion groups, and art collaborations, as well as counselling services, peer mentoring, and primary care resources.

Spectrum can help with challenges like depression, anxiety and suicide while also offering practical support to navigate the mental health, housing and educational systems.

Spectrum is also a safe space for youth to:

Meet new people

Engage in workshops and discussions

Access services like showers, laundry, computers, telephones

Get referrals

Access trained counsellors and peer mentors if youth need to talk

Just hang out!

Activities include:

An introduction to our space and expectations

A queer current events discussion

Activities

Access to snack during group, showers, laundry, harm reduction supplies, telephone, internet

Access to crisis counsellors from YSB and/or our in-house counsellor from Centretown Community Health Centre

A relaxed space where youth can be out and proud!

Contact: Kate PoirierEmail: kpoirier@ysb.ca

Making Your Voice Heard: Using Mainstream Media for Queer Advocacy
2026-03-05 18:00 - 19:00 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/making-your-voice-heard-using-mainstream-media-for-queer-advocacy/
It’s becoming harder to get queer perspectives into mainstream media, but media remains one of the best (free) ways of getting our perspectives out there. Join Queer Momentum’s executive director Fae Johnstone – one of Canada’s most frequent queer commentators – for an interactive session on how to meaningfully engage media in your advocacy.

Queer Momentum’s Winter Webinars

Through our webinars, we help power-up 2SLGBTQIA+ advocates and allies with training on effective advocacy, movement-building and community organizing. These sessions are free, and intended to help you – as an activist or ally – become a stronger advocate.

This winter, we’re bringing you five sessions designed and delivered by our team, ranging from effective messaging to arts-based activism to undertaking culturally aware advocacy. We’re proud of these sessions, and excited to share them with you. All sessions will be recorded and shared with registrants – so don’t hesitate to sign up even if you can’t make it during the time-slot.

OGRC Weekly Run
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:00 | T’s Pub, 323 Somerset St W, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0J8, Canada
Join us every Thursday evening for our weekly 5 km run, starting and ending at T’s Pub. We welcome runners of all levels, with multiple pace groups to ensure everyone feels comfortable and supported. Whether you’re looking to push your limits or just enjoy a leisurely jog, there’s a spot for you in our community.
After the run, stick around at T’s Pub to unwind with a cold beer and some great company. It’s the perfect way to cap off a run and connect with fellow gay men. No pressure, just good vibes and good times!
See you at 7:00 PM—let’s hit the pavement together!

Gay Men In Recovery
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:10, 2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:10 | MAX Ottawa, 400 Cooper St. Suite 9004, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2H8, Canada
A weekly hybrid narcotics anonymous group for gay men.

To access the Zoom link, click the link below, select Thursday, and scroll down to “Gay Men In Recovery.” To enter the building, ring the intercom doorbell on the left side of the main doors if they are locked and a member will let you in.

Meeting formats and accessibility:

This meeting is closed to non-addicts. You should attend only if you believe that you may have a problem with substance abuse.

This meeting invites participation by all attendees.

This meeting is focused on the needs of gay, lesbian and transgender members of NA.

This meeting is meant to be attended by men only.

This meeting is wheelchair accessible.

Meetings virtually and in person.

BodyTalk
2026-03-05 21:00 - 2026-03-06 02:00, 2026-03-12 21:00 - 2026-03-13 02:00 | Afterlight, 129 Bank St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5N7, Canada
BodyTalk is a new queer-inclusive night featuring handpicked artists from our community and beyond, powered by @skank.party. we’ll be celebrating 💅🏼 EVERY THURSDAY

What is BodyTalk all about?

BodyTalk is a celebration of queer joy, movement, and music. It’s a space to dance, connect, and honour our bodies and identities.

Expect genre-defying sets, fresh sounds, and artists who push boundaries and tell stories through music.

At Its heart, BodyTalk is:

A safe space for queer, trans, and non-binary folks, and everyone in between

A night to discover new music beyond the mainstream

A place to build community, make new connections, and truly let go

An open invitation to express yourself fully and authentically

@b0dy_talk let’s honor our bodies, open our hearts and connect with our beloved community 🌈 💫

2SLGBTQIA+ Game Nite
2026-03-06 18:30 - 21:00 | Studio Staja, 507 Rideau St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5Z5, Canada
Drop in board game night for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks! Come by yourself or bring friends. Play any of the games in the game library. Hosts on site are happy to teach players new games. Plant based snacks and drinks available. Free to play, contributions welcome.

Poetry Night
2026-03-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Ottawa Trans Library, 1104 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y3C8, Canada
An informal evening of poetry reading and discussion. No mic, no stage! Share poems you have discovered or ones you have written in a casual atmosphere of poetry appreciation. Meeting on the first Saturday of the month at 5:30.

Bottomless Dine & Drag Dinner
2026-03-07 19:00 - 22:00 | The Vanitea Room, 551 Somerset St West, Ottawa, ON, K1R 5J9, Canada
Every week, on Saturday night, Vanitea is the destination for the no. 1 voted drag dinner, presented by beloved house host Devona Coe and a rotating calendar of featured local and visiting drag queens.Delivering their struts, gag-worthy performances & all-over sass for your Saturday night pleasure, + a fabulous 3 course tower (with meal included) and bottomless drinks!

Rainbow Registered Presents: GENDERCRAFT
2026-03-09 13:00 - 14:30 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/rainbow-registered-presents-gendercraft-3/
Gender Expression Fundamentals

This module is primarily concerned with deepening understanding of the term “gender expression”.

It explores some of the myriad ways identity can be expressed, and reviews real-life examples of gender expression being restricted, both formally and informally. The module connects gender expression to other intersectional factors of identity. Gender Expression Fundamentals concludes with three small action items and a discussion of “personal inventory” as preparation for engaging in allyship.There will also be time for Q&A.

Yoga for Grief - Queer Death Salon
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:30 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/yoga-for-grief-queer-death-salon/
Queer Death Salon is a community space for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people to come together to discuss death, dying and grief. It is a facilitated drop-in discussion space, with the purpose of building connection, skill, and resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ people navigating end of life in our personal lives and in our communities.

Join Yoga Therapist in training, Des for a trauma-informed yoga practice.

Explore yogic practices, such as pranayama/breath work, asana/physical shapes, and pratyahara/tuning inward to aid in processing grief.

Des (they/them) is a Yoga Guide and Grief Doula who lives, breathes, and plays on Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg territory, Treaty 20, and the Williams Treaties in Nogojiwanong, what is colonially know as “Peterborough, ON” in so-called “Canada.” Nogojiwanong means “the place at the end of the rapids” in Ojibwe.

Queer Death Salon takes place over Zoom, in English, with Automatic Closed Captioning

Confluence: A Live Drag Experience
2026-03-13 20:00 - 23:00 | Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6E2, Canada
Confluence will take you on an introspective journey of life, artistry and queerness via a 3 act drag show that will examine the cast’s past, present and future through live drag performances enhanced by props, dancers, visuals, lights and all the crazy fixings a drag artist could dream of in a intimate black box setting. You will also be getting to know the artists a little better through a series of candid interviews done with each artists that frames the show.

What brought us to drag? How does it make us the people we are? How do we want our art to mold the people we will become? Confluence looks to answer these questions in a mixed media drag show that blends spectacle, live performance, technology, and queerness. This is going to be unlike anything Ottawa has ever seen.

CAST: Caligula, Francis Coe, Shebiscuit, Mx.Tique, Rip Em, Vex Scandal, Karma K.

ACCESSIBILITY: Wheelchair accessible, sensory aids on location.

DISCLAIMER: Colorful lights and loud music.

EVENT: No official age restrictions but the show has a general 16+ vibe to it. It’s part of the Youth Infringement Festival but as a separate show from the rest of the plays happening so its not as youth-focused.

Out and About Saturdays
2026-03-14 09:30 - 14:30 | The Good Companions, 670 Albert Street
OSPN in partnership with The Good Companions is delighted to offer in person programming to our 55+ LGBTQ2+ community.

Join us every second and fourth Saturday of the month for a range of engaging activities, from educational workshops to social programming, all designed to foster connection, support, and enjoyment. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone can feel comfortable, respected, and celebrate.
