Free Classes

Important: free, but you need a free ticket to get in. A friendly discussion and artistic workshop on the works of Richard Desjardins, combining show excerpts with talks about the creative process and how musical and written works are adapted for the stage, hosted by the artistic team of Théâtre de l'Œil ouvert with guest artists. Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Online booking adds a $2 fee.

Important: free, but you need a free ticket to get in. A friendly discussion and artistic workshop on the works of Clémence Desrochers, with performance excerpts and talks about how songs and texts are adapted for the stage, hosted by the artistic team of Théâtre de l'Œil ouvert with guests. Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Online booking adds a $2 fee.

Stories, rhymes and songs in English and French for children aged 0 to 5 and a parent or caregiver, followed by time to socialize, explore and play, in the Grace Thompson Room of the Stittsville branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, November 12 to December 10, 2026. Free drop in program.

Looking for work, or unemployed or underemployed? Drop in for one on one time with an Employment Counsellor from the Pinecrest-Queensway Employment Services team at the Nepean Centrepointe branch of the Ottawa Public Library. For adults. Mondays from 10 AM to 12 PM, November 9 to December 28, 2026. Free drop in program.

Story, rhyme and song time for babies up to 18 months and a parent or caregiver, followed by time for parents to socialize and babies to explore toys and books, at the Hazeldean branch of the Ottawa Public Library in Kanata. Tuesday, November 10, 2026: program from 10:15 to 10:45 AM, then stay and play until 11:15 AM; an identical session runs at 11:30 AM, so please choose only one. Free drop in.

Teens aged 14 to 18 share their opinions on teen services, help with library programming and make new friends at the Sunnyside branch of the Ottawa Public Library; it is also a way to earn volunteer hours. Second Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 PM: November 10 and December 8, 2026. Free drop in; to express interest, email the branch or visit in person.

A half hour of stories, rhymes and songs in French for children of all ages with their parents or caregivers, at the Alta Vista branch of the Ottawa Public Library in the Allan Higdon Room. Tuesday mornings, November 10 to December 8, 2026 (the event listing shows a 10:30 AM start). Free drop in program.

Intermediate English learners practise spoken English and meet new people in a relaxed, friendly setting at the North Gloucester branch of the Ottawa Public Library, in Room B. For adults, adults 50 and over and newcomers. Most Sundays from 1 to 2:30 PM, November 8, 2026 to June 6, 2027 (check the schedule for skipped dates). Free drop in, limited to room capacity.

Volunteers from United for Literacy help children aged 6 to 12 with reading, math, science, French, English and more; just bring your school homework and assignments. Bilingual, in the children's program room of the Ruth E. Dickinson branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, November 9 to December 14, 2026. Free drop in; a parent or guardian must stay in the branch for the whole session.

Stories, rhymes and songs in English and French for babies up to 18 months and a parent or caregiver, who can stay afterwards to play and chat. In the children's program room of the Main branch of the Ottawa Public Library on Metcalfe Street. Tuesdays at 10:30 AM, November 10 to December 8, 2026. Free drop in program.

Stories, rhymes and songs in French for children of all ages and a parent or caregiver at the Cumberland branch of the Ottawa Public Library in Orléans. Afterwards, families can stay to play and socialize, with activities for toddlers and their adults. Tuesdays from 10 to 10:30 AM, November 10 to December 8, 2026. Free drop in program.

Stories, rhymes and songs for families with children of all ages, with a parent or caregiver, in the Grace Thompson Room of the Stittsville branch of the Ottawa Public Library. In English. Sundays from 10:30 to 11:00 AM on November 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2026. Free drop in program.