Bottomless Dine & Drag Dinner
2026-01-10 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-01-17 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Toronto) | 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!

The Neighbours’ Not-So-Serious Meet
2026-01-11 11:30 - 14:30 | Montpetit Hall – uOttawa, 125 University Private, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Have you been wondering what you need to know to prepare for and do a race? This swim clinic “The Introduction to Racing” is for you. The swim clinic will focus on introducing and practicing racing skills and swim meet protocols in a supportive environment.

After a warm up and instruction for 30 minutes, the following format will be repeated 4x to give you plenty of chances to learn and improve your racing skills:

30 minutes of racing in a dual meet format

10 minutes cool down and instruction with Nepean in the even number lanes and the Speedeaus in the odd ones .

You can swim as many or as few races as you wish. The heats will be sorted by stroke.

50m Choice

100m Choice

25m Choice

4x50m Free or Medley Relay

The Nepean Masters will be providing the swim meet officials and stopwatches but all swimmers are expected to help with the timing in between their races. This is an unofficial swim meet so the times won’t count officially, but it will give you an idea of what your times are for the events that you try.

Photos and videos will be taken during the event. If you don’t want to be in them let us know. After the friendly rivalry is over, everyone is invited to celebrate at a social at a nearby pub.

Free for Members of Rideau Speedeaus & Nepean Masters

All Ages Drag King Brunch
2026-01-11 12:00 - 14:30 | Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 3W4, Canada
Capital Kingdom presents All Ages Drag King Brunch : January 2026 Edition

New year, new kings!Are you tired of hosting family and friends during the holidays? Join us for our first brunch of the year. We’ll host, Irene’s will cook and serve, and you just sit back and enjoy the show!

⏰ Doors at 11:30 am | Show at 12:00 pm

(The venue has a ramp outside and a washroom located on the main floor. Other washrooms on the lower level.)

Transmasc Hours
2026-01-11 14:00 - 18:00 | Ottawa Trans Library, 1104 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y3C8, Canada
We are kicking off the new year with an afternoon of arts & crafts – supplies are provided for painting, bracelet making/beading, and knitting/felting! Feel free to bring your own projects or indulge in puzzles or coloring : ) We’ll have another voice crack karaoke session in the last hour!

RSVP: link belowWHO: anyone on the transmasc spectrum

Sunday Afternoon Bear Walk
2026-01-11 14:30 - 15:40, 2026-01-18 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.

The Neighbours’ Not-So-Serious Social
2026-01-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Father & Sons Restaurant, 112 Osgoode St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6S1, Canada
🏊‍♂️ After THE NEIGHBOURS’ NOT-SO-SERIOUS MEET, join us for a casual get-together with the Nepean Masters at Fathers & Sons 🍻👉 You don’t need to attend the meet to join the social — everyone is welcome!📍 2nd floor, King Edward & Osgoode🗓 January 11 | 🕒 3:00 PM🏊‍♂️ Après LA RENCONTRE PAS TROP SÉRIEUSE DES VOISINS, joignez-vous à nous pour un rassemblement décontracté avec les Nepean Masters chez Fathers & Sons 🍻👉 Pas besoin de participer à la rencontre pour venir au rassemblement — tout le monde est bienvenu !📍 2e étage, King Edward & Osgoode🗓 11 janvier | 🕒 15 h

Karaoke Night
2026-01-11 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-01-15 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-01-18 20:00 - 23:00 | T’s, 323 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON, 2P 0J8, Canada
Karaoke with fellow Queers hosted by Jolene.

5-Pin Bowling
2026-01-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-19 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.

Queer Lifting Club
2026-01-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-01-19 18:30 - 20:30 | St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 400 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1R5A2, Canada
Wanna lift weights with queer people??

Come lift with us! First-time lifters welcome! ALL 2SLGBTQIA+ people welcome! No exceptions.(drop-in, free, NO registration required)

January drop-in schedule:☆ Mondays, Jan. 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Location: 400 Sparks St. (St. Peter’s Lutheran Church) Ottawa, ON

We provide snacks, water, masks, and weightlifting equipment! See the link in our bio for a full list of our equipment.

Waivers:– Everyone is required to sign a waiver upon entry. No deadnames allowed on the waivers.– For those who’re under 18 years of age, make sure a legal gaurdian can sign your waiver. There’s no mention of “queer” on the under 18 waiver.– Waivers can be viewed ahead of time through the link in our bio.

Entrances:– Wheelchair accessible entrance faces Sparks St.– Part of the entrance measures only 35 inches in width.– Entry instructions posted on the door at both entrances.

Masks:– Wearing masks is mandatory.– We provide kn94 masks.– Feel free to remove your mask to eat or drink, but we ask that everyone respects the space of the people around them while doing so.– Windows will be open for air flow.

Transportation:– Free parking in the church’s driveway beside the parking lot.– Close to Lyon Station by train/bus.– Bikes can be kept in the church hall.– Paid parking in the parking lot.– Free street parking on nearby streets.

Restrooms:– Two private, gender neutral restrooms. One is wheelchair accessible.– Pads and tampons available for anyone who needs/wants them.

Quiet area:The church itself serves as a quiet area with seating and low-lighting.

Write Your Grief
2026-01-13 19:00 - 20:30 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/write-your-grief/
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.

Participants will be led through a short meditation/reiki offering to ground and center in the space, followed by some intentional and prompted writing time, where we’ll pick a source of grief, or grief itself, and write letters. There will be optional time for sharing about the experience itself or what you’ve written and some additional prompts for continued writing practice. Participants are also invited to submit completed letters to a queer grief zine for publication.

Facilitator Melissa Delizia, MSW, LSW, DSW (she/they) is a writer, witch, social worker, educator, death doula, and Reiki Master Teacher whose work lives at the intersection of sacred care, social justice, and transformative education. Their practice centers queer and transgender experiences of death, dying, grief, and ritual, with a deep commitment to equitable, accessible, and community-rooted death care.

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

Dodgeball
2026-01-14 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.

Drag Me To 2026
2026-01-14 20:00 - 23:00 | LIVE! on Elgin, 220 Elgin St #2, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1L7, Canada
Eden Moore is joined by a fabulous cast of local drag artists for Drag Me To Live’s first show of the New Year: “Drag Me To 2026!”

Drag Me To Live! is back with it’s first show of the New Year: “Drag Me To 2026!“

Joining fabulous hostess Eden Moore this month are the charming Bratt Pitt, ONDS Winner Shebiscuit, the stunning Skyler Sapphire, and the iconic Eh!va Fracture (in their Drag Me To Live! debut!)

Show starts 8:00pm, with doors at 7:00pm!

Spectrum (YSB)
2026-01-15 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

OGRC Weekly Run
2026-01-15 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
2026-01-15 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.

Over the Rainbow Meet & Greet
2026-01-16 18:00 - 21:00 | The Good Companions, 670 Albert St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6L2, Canada
Join us every 3rd Friday of the month (unless noted) for a casual, relaxed night out. Enjoy a meal, drinks, good company, and a game of pool or darts.

We will be offering pizza and salad ($5.00 – $15.00) in addition to our alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase.

Vogue Fem Workshop and Session
2026-01-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Routhier Community Centre, 172 Guigues Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5K4, Canada
Join us this Friday for a Vogue fem workshop AND session with Legendary Overall Motha Maldita Siriano @rdanah 💚

Location: Routhier Community Center: Robert studio (second floor)

New Year Movie Night
2026-01-16 19:00 - 21:00 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/new-year-movie-night/
Join us for our first virtual Wheelie event of the year, a movie night!

📍 Virtual (Register at link below!)

🎥 Queens of Drama⏳️ 1hr 27min🎭 Musical, ComedyFrench, with English Subtitles.

Register at the link below to get to zoom link!

Drag Night! At Zak's Diner Elgin
2026-01-16 20:00 - 22:00 | Zak’s Diner Elgin, 220 Elgin St., Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1L7, Canada
Drag Night! is back at Zak’s Diner Elgin for 2026! Hostess Eden Moore is joined by the current reigning 2025 Ottawa Royal Court!

Drag Night! is back by popular demand at Zak’s Diner Elgin – and we are kicking the year off with an unforgettable line-up!

Joining fabulous hostess Eden Moore this month is none other than the current reigning 2025 Ottawa Royal Court, which consists of the rockin’ & twisted Banshii Waylon (Mx. Capital Pride 2025), the sultry, sports-sedan diva Portia Zum Zum (Ms. Capital Prider 2025), and the charming & charismatic Zak Zinya (Mr. Capital Pride 2025)!

This all-star cast is ready to impress with comedy, camp, glamour, charisma, high-energy performances, & show-stopping looks- all to be enjoyed with your favorite delectable diner dishes!

Show starts at 8:00pm, with doors open at 7:30pm.

HOTT STUFF
2026-01-16 22:00 - 2026-01-17 02:00 | The 27 Club, 27 York St, Ottawa, ON, K1N 5S7, Canada
Winter doesn’t stand a chance!

Ottawa’s steamiest 2SLGBTQ+ quarterly event is back—and this time, we’re taking over The 27 Club, our new home with room for 250 bodies ready to thrive, move, and melt the cold straight off the streets.

Step into the shadows, into the heat, into the pulse. The lights drop. The bass cuts through the dark. Music, breath, bodies—closer than ever.

Behind the decks, your HOTT STUFF residents return:

Diskommander delivering the deep, driving beats, and JC Simon turning the night into a full-throttle fever.

This is the night to shed your layers. To lose yourself. To spark the kind of mid-winter heat Ottawa never sees coming.

Be there—before it sells out.

Magic the Gathering
2026-01-17 17:00 - 20:00 | Ottawa Trans Library, 1104 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y3C8, Canada
Join the Ottawa Trans Library community for an evening of Magic: The Gathering Commander! This is a laid-back, cozy space for players to relax, play, and connect. Whether your experienced or still learning the ropes, bring your own deck and enjoy some fun, casual games in a welcoming community atmosphere.

Pyjama Party feat. Chantal Celine, Jahmeema, & Ella
2026-01-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Art House, 555 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R5K1, Canada
Pull on your favourite pair of pyjamas and enjoy a cozy night of intimate live music featuring performances from local artists Chantal Celine, Jahmeema, and Ella.

Doors at 5:00, show at 6:00.

Bios

Chantal Celine is an indie folk & pop artist from Gatineau, Québec with 15 years of soulful songwriting under her belt. She pairs honest and endearing lyrics with ear-catching production, as she creates a fusion of folk-y acoustic and electronic indie elements. Chantal’s live performances feature herself, her guitar and her feelings, and have been described as cozy, intimate, and an unexpected cure for a Friday-night hangover. She is currently focusing on writing new material, and aims to release a single in 2026.

Accolades

Chantal supported artist Mallory Chipman at Motel Chelsea in Aug 2025. Jahmeema has played various notable events and venues including SAW Gallery, SHAW Centre, the NAC, and BluesFest

Social Media

@chantalceline.music@jahmeema@frell_latte

Your ticket guarantees you a seat in the house but not necessarily a seat with a direct line of sight to the performers. We recommend coming early to snag a spot or if you need accommodations, like a guaranteed seat for accessibility reasons, to please email us at events@thearthousecafe.ca at least 72 hours before the event.

Ticket refunds or date transfers are not available.

IMPORTANT ACCESSIBILITY INFO

We provide gender-neutral washrooms. We have one wheelchair accessible washroom. There is no wheelchair ramp. There is a set of 8 stairs to get into the building (7 steps, small landing, and then an 8th step). Once inside, the whole cafe floor is flat, with the exception of our small room to the side, which is a small step down.

We are licensed to provide alcohol, but serve a variety of non-alcoholic options.

Older & Bolder for 2SLBTQ+ Women
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | The Good Companions, 670 Albert St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6L2, Canada
Older & Bolder is a monthly drop-in discussion group for older 2SLBTQIA+ women (50+), sponsored by Ottawa Senior Pride Network (OSPN). This is an opportunity to connect, share life experiences and discuss the joys and challenges of this stage of life. It is facilitated by longtime members of OSPN.

Coordinators – Susan Holmes, Holly MacKay, Georgette Sauvé

Contact: Older & Bolder email: older.yet.bolder@gmail.com

2SLGBTQIA+ BIPOC Social
2026-01-20 17:00 - 20:00 | AIDS Committee of Ottawa, 19 Main St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S1A9, Canada
We’re kicking off our first social of the new year with community, connection, and important conversations. 💬❤️Join us for a warm group check-in, plus an open discussion on sexual health, safer sex, and the resources available for our communities. Whether you’re new to Canada or newly exploring the community, this is a perfect space to learn, share, and connect.

🙌 Newcomers are especially welcome!👯‍♂️ Bring your friends, too!👌🏾Food, good vibes, and community support included.

See you there! 🌟
