April 11 – 13 at the EY Centre
Shop 200 outdoor and lifestyle products and services, including a dedicated Canadian-made goods section
Plus, meet renowned Canadian wildlife rehabilitator Hope Swinimer and contractor Michael Holmes Jr. at the Main Stage
(Ottawa, ON – March 31, 2025) – The Canadian staycation is gaining attention as travel to the United States drops and provinces turn their eye towards attracting domestic tourism, while falling interest rates offer an attractive option for prospective buyers who are considering dipping their toes into the cottage market. Cottage country in Ontario and Quebec offer an abundance of opportunity to get back to nature, rediscover our beautiful provinces and support local economies. The Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show, which returns Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13 to the EY Centre, is gearing up to help visitors get ready for the ultimate summer staycation, with 200 experts and exhibitors offering advice on everything from buying a vacation property and exploring cottage rentals to transforming your backyard into an oasis.
Visitors can connect with builders, contractors, realtors and gardeners, and discover cottage rentals, small space structures, innovative building products and eco-friendly solutions. In addition, they can shop for pre-season deals on the latest boats, docks, water toys, furniture, backyard entertaining and gardening inspiration – all designed to help make the most of the great outdoors. Plus, the General Store is dedicated to Canadian-made goods, offering the best handcrafted, artisan products, including ironwork, art, décor, tasty treats, and one-of-a-kind gifts, all from local makers and small businesses. Tickets are on sale now at shows.cottagelife.com
Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show Program Highlights
Cottage Life Main Stage
- Renowned Canadian wildlife rehabilitator and star of Cottage Life TV’s hit series Hope for Wildlife: The Next Generation, Hope Swinimer, shares her extensive knowledge on threats to wildlife, tips for co-existing, and a behind-the-scenes peek into the new season of her series, now airing on Cottage Life every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, currently on free preview.
- Cottage Life magazine’s Senior Editor, Alysha Vandertogt, discusses six common cottage problems and how to solve them.
- Tony Armstrong educates on colourful options in cottage landscaping with low maintenance options from container gardens to meadows.
- Cottage Coach Adam Holman goes head-to-head with television personality Michael Holmes Jr. (Holmes on Holmes: Building a Legacy on Cottage Life TV) in a hot sauce challenge as Holman grills Holmes with fun and fiery questions about what it’s really like working with family on TV and the most memorable renovations they’ve done together. Plus, they’ll share the essential dos and don’ts for your next cottage or backyard reno.
- Cottage succession planning lawyer Peter Lillico draws on his 40+ years of experience to guide you through the process of creating a smooth and seamless succession plan for your cottage. He will also offer valuable recommendations on how children can share responsibilities and actively contribute to the planning process.
- Award-winning designer Sue Pitchforth shows how to bring personality to your outdoor spaces with fresh design ideas.
See HERE for the full lineup and presentation topics.
Cottage Real Estate Centre
Looking for land for a new build, a turnkey rental, or a move-in-ready cozy cabin? The Cottage Real Estate Centre is a one-stop shop featuring realtors from across Ontario and Quebec’s cottage regions, ready to share their expertise on the state of the market, cottage ownership, changing rental regulations and more. Plus, discover listings from across Ontario.
Shop local Canadian-made at General Store
Shop the best handcrafted, artisan, and niche Canadian-made goods, including ironwork, art, décor, tasty treats, and one-of-a-kind gifts, all from local makers and small businesses.
Cottage Life Booth
Meet the friendly faces behind Cottage Life magazine. Chat with the wordsmiths who bring every issue to life, and shop merchandise you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re looking for a unique keepsake or a gift for a fellow cottager, there’s something special for everyone. Plus, Cottage Coach Adam Holman demonstrates how to build your very own ring toss game.
No visit to cottage country is complete without a taste of Kawartha Dairy! Stop by the booth to savour FREE samples of this beloved local staple while quantities last!
Backyard Party
Mix and mingle in the show’s social hub. Enjoy life-size Cottage Games including giant Connect Four, life sized Jenga, ladder ball and more! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a beverage from Cottage Springs. Additionally, showgoers can purchase drinks to go, right from the Backyard Party!
Cottage Life, a division of Blue Ant Media, has been the definitive source for weekend living entertainment since 1988. A true multi-platform brand, Cottage Life is comprised of: the nationally celebrated Cottage Life magazine; six bespoke e-newsletters; a specialty TV channel available across Canada; and a live events business, including the annual Spring and Fall Cottage Life Shows in Toronto and the Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show. cottagelife.com. Follow us on: Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest/YouTube
Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor, and channel operator. The company also produces consumer shows nationwide. Collectively, Blue Ant Media’s consumer show business hosts over 200,000 people annually at the National Home Show, Fall Home Show, Home + Backyard Show, Spring Cottage Life Show and Fall Cottage Life Show in Toronto; Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show; Spring Baby Show Toronto; Fall Baby Show Toronto; Fall Baby Show Vancouver; The Women’s Healthy Show and Seasons Christmas Show in Toronto. https://blueantmedia.com. X⼁Instagram⼁ LinkedIn
Show Hours:
Friday, April 11: 12 pm to 9 pm
Saturday, April 12: 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday, April 13: 10 am to 5 pm
Location:
EY Centre
4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 2N6
Admission:
General Admission (18+): $13.50
Youth (12-17): $9
Child (4-11): $6
Under 3: Free
Ticket Packages and Specials
PRESTO Perks: Your Ticket to Exclusive Savings! As a PRESTO cardholder, enjoy $5 off General Admission when you use the code PRESTO at checkout! This exclusive online offer is available for all show days, from April 11-13, 2025.
“2 for 1” Friday admission discount: two adults can enter for the price of one adult after 5 pm
Seniors Friday Ticket (65+): $11
Family Pass: two General Admission tickets and up to four Child and Youth tickets: $40
Visit shows.cottagelife.com to purchase tickets.
Social Media:
Instagram:@cottagelife
Facebook: @cottagelife
#cottagelife #cottagelifeshow