Free Classes

Granny Squares for Warmth is a drop in crochet group at the Ruth E. Dickinson Library in Barrhaven, where people gather to crochet granny squares together. It is a sociable afternoon for anyone who enjoys crochet. It meets Tuesdays at 3 PM, with the series listed until June 8, 2027, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

The Constance Bay branch of the Ottawa Public Library offers a family storytime followed by Stay and Play time, for preschool children with a parent or caregiver. It is a welcome weekday meet up for young families in rural West Carleton. It runs Tuesdays at 10:30 AM until December 8, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

The Vanier branch of the Ottawa Public Library holds a bilingual family storytime (Contes et chansons en familles) on Tuesday mornings, with stories and songs for children of all ages with a parent or caregiver. It is a warm weekday outing for little ones in Vanier and Overbrook. It runs Tuesdays at 10:30 AM until December 15, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

The Orléans Writing Group meets on Tuesday mornings at the Orléans branch of the Ottawa Public Library, a drop in gathering for local people who like to write. Bring your notebook or laptop and whatever you are working on. It meets Tuesdays at 10 AM until December 29, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

The Ruth E. Dickinson Library in Barrhaven hosts an evening French conversation group for adults who want to practise speaking French in a friendly setting. It is a good way to keep your French going and meet neighbours. It meets Mondays at 7 PM, with the series listed until June 21, 2027, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

Starry Night Storytime is an evening storytime at Nepean Centrepointe Library, with cozy stories and songs for children of all ages with their parents, perfect before bedtime. It runs Mondays at 6:30 PM until December 7, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

The small Rockcliffe Park branch of the Ottawa Public Library holds a Monday morning family storytime with stories, songs and rhymes for children of all ages with a parent or caregiver. It pairs nicely with a walk to the nearby Rockeries and Rideau Hall grounds. It runs Mondays at 9:30 AM until December 28, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

The Hazeldean Library in Kanata hosts Exploratory Writing Workshops, a weekly Write With Us session with prompts and friendly sharing for anyone who wants to try creative writing. Beginners and experienced writers are both welcome. It runs Sundays at 2:30 PM until December 27, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

Slow Stitchers and Handcrafters is a relaxed drop in circle at the Ruth E. Dickinson Library in Barrhaven where people bring their own embroidery, knitting, mending or other hand projects and stitch together. It is a calm, social way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It meets Sundays at 2 PM, with the series listed until June 2027, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

The Capital Region Writers Group meets at the Ottawa Main Library for a weekly write-in, where local writers bring a project and work side by side in good company. It is a nice motivation boost for anyone working on fiction, poetry or a memoir. It runs Sundays at 1 PM until November 29, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

The Ottawa Main Library on Metcalfe Street offers a bilingual family storytime (Contes et chansons en famille) on Sunday mornings, with stories and songs for children of all ages with a parent or caregiver. It is an easy downtown outing on a cold weekend. It runs Sundays at 11 AM until December 13, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.

Nepean Centrepointe Library hosts a Sunday morning family storytime with picture books, songs and rhymes for children of all ages with a parent or caregiver. The branch is part of the Ben Franklin Place civic complex, so it is easy to add a walk in the park afterwards. It runs Sundays at 10:30 AM until December 13, 2026, and it is a free drop in program with no registration.