Hawkesbury: local rooms, events and more

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Town and around · Ontario · 12k people

Hawkesbury

Locals say Hawkesbury area

Where the river meets the maple groves, and two cultures blend.

Deep RedForest Green

Welcome to the Hawkesbury area, where the Ottawa River brings two provinces together. Come for the maple syrup and stay for the friendly small-town vibe and easy access to both big cities.

Clubs for Hawkesbury

No clubs for Hawkesbury yet.

The room

Hawkesbury Quiet now Where the river meets the maple groves, and two cultures blend.

One room for everyone around Hawkesbury. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hawkesbury. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Ottawa River Waterfront Boardwalk and views across the river to Quebec.
Hawkesbury Marina Boat launches and docks on the Ottawa River.
Le Chenail Cultural Centre Riverfront venue for concerts and community events.
Prescott-Russell Trail Multi-use rail trail through the area.
L'Orignal Old Jail 19th-century jail turned heritage museum.

Outdoors Walk or bike the Prescott-Russell Trail
Outdoors Boat or kayak on the Ottawa River
With kids Picnic at the waterfront park
With kids Visit the L'Orignal Old Jail
Evenings Live music at Le Chenail
Evenings Pub trivia at a local bar
Locals love Sugar shacks (cabane à sucre)
Locals love Riverfront parks

Through the year

Hawkesbury Fair August Agricultural fair with midway rides and local exhibits.
Winter Carnival February Outdoor activities, ice sculptures, and community gatherings.
Maple Syrup Festival March–April Sugar shack tours and maple taffy on snow.
Canada Day Celebrations July 1 Fireworks and family events along the riverfront.
Music in the Park Summer Free outdoor concerts in summer.

Humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best time to be out is late spring through early fall; winter offers skating and skiing, spring brings maple syrup, and fall is for foliage. Best: Late spring through early fall

Talk like a local

“The Hawk”: Nickname for the Hawkesbury Hawks team or a local hockey fan.
“The river”: The Ottawa River, central to local life.
“The bridge”: The interprovincial bridge connecting Ontario and Quebec.
“Cabane”: Short for cabane à sucre, a sugar shack.

Getaways

Montréal Big-city culture, dining, and festivals, 81 km away.
Ottawa–Gatineau National museums and Parliament Hill, 87 km away.
Cornwall Historic waterfront and the Seaway International Bridge, 61 km away.
Lachute Small-town charm and nearby Argenteuil hills, 23 km away.

Local flavour

Teams

Hawkesbury Hawks Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL)

Also rooting for Ottawa Senators (NHL), Montreal Canadiens (NHL)

Eat and drink

Maple syrup Produced in local sugar bushes
Tire d'érable (maple taffy) A springtime treat on snow
Poutine Popular across Quebec and Ontario border
Tourtière French-Canadian meat pie
Sugar pie A maple-infused dessert

Where people go

Sugar shacks (cabane à sucre) Seasonal maple syrup operations
Ottawa River waterfront Scenic views and recreation
Historic downtown streets
Hiking trails in the Outaouais region Forests and hills nearby

Heritage and traditions

The Hawkesbury area is proud of its bilingual, Franco-Ontarian heritage and its close ties to Quebec across the Ottawa River, with a strong tradition of maple syrup production and a tight-knit community that celebrates both cultures.

This time of year in Hawkesbury

Fall colours Autumn September–October – hiking and driving to see autumn leaves

Say it like a local: “C'est tu” — Is it? (Est-ce que)

Festivals

Hawkesbury Fair August Agricultural fair with exhibits, rides, and local food
Winter Carnival January or February Outdoor winter activities, ice sculptures, and family fun
Maple Syrup Festival March or April Celebrates maple season with sugar shack visits and syrup tasting
Canada Day Celebrations July 1 Fireworks, concerts, and community events on July 1
Music in the Park Summer Free summer concerts in local parks
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day June 24 French-Canadian cultural celebration with bonfires and music

Landmarks with a story

L'Orignal Old Jail A 19th-century jail turned museum, one of the oldest in Ontario
Le Chenail Cultural Centre A former mill on the Ottawa River now hosting cultural events
Hawkesbury Heritage District Downtown streets with historic buildings and a small-town feel
St. Alphonsus Church Historic Catholic church in Hawkesbury with a prominent spire
Calumet Village A Quebec village across the river with historic homes and a ferry connection

Food traditions

Maple syrup and tire d'érable Spring sugar shack tradition; hot syrup poured on snow to make taffy
Poutine Fries, cheese curds, and gravy – a Quebec classic enjoyed on both sides of the river
Tourtière French-Canadian meat pie, a holiday staple
Sugar pie Sweet dessert made with maple or brown sugar
Fèves au lard Baked beans with pork, a traditional French-Canadian side dish

Music and arts

Franco-Ontarian folk music Fiddle tunes and songs reflecting the area's French heritage
Visual arts at Le Chenail Exhibitions and workshops in the cultural centre

A little history

1800s Founded in the early 1800s
19th century Timber trade on the Ottawa River
Late 1800s Paper industry established
1822 L'Orignal Old Jail built
20th century Bilingual and bicultural identity developed

Rivalries

Hawkesbury Hawks vs. Cornwall Colts Junior hockey rivalry in the CCHL.
Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens NHL fan rivalry splits the region.
Ontario vs. Quebec Friendly cross-river banter between provinces.

Game day Hawkesbury Hawks hockey games
Game day Pond hockey
Outdoors Walk or bike the Prescott-Russell Trail
Outdoors Boat or kayak on the Ottawa River
With kids Picnic at the waterfront park
With kids Visit the L'Orignal Old Jail

The Hawkesbury area is bilingual, with many locals speaking both English and French, often mixing them. The French spoken has a distinct Outaouais/Quebec accent, and English speakers may sprinkle in French words.

Only here

The Hawkesbury Hawks Junior A hockey team brings the community together.
L'Orignal Old Jail is one of the oldest jails in Ontario and a quirky museum.
The Ottawa River offers both Ontario and Quebec views from the same spot.
Maple syrup season turns the area into a sweet-smelling wonderland.

New here? A few tips

Learn a few French phrases – many locals are bilingual and appreciate the effort.
Try tire d'érable at a sugar shack in early spring – it's a local rite of passage.
Be aware of the Ontario–Quebec border: crossing the bridge can mean a change in time zone (Quebec is on Eastern Time, Ontario too, but check for any differences).
Embrace the winter – outdoor skating and the Winter Carnival are highlights.
The Prescott-Russell Trail is great for walking or biking in warmer months.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

ArgenteuilQuebecWhere the river meets the Laurentians LachuteQuebecWhere the Laurentians meet the river.Vaudreuil-SoulangesQuebecWhere the river meets the maple groves Prescott-RussellOntarioWhere the maple runs and the French echoes in the fields.Petite-NationQuebecWhere the river whispers through maple groves La Rivière-du-NordQuebecWhere the river winds through pine and maple.Salaberry-de-ValleyfieldQuebecA warm town on the St. Lawrence Sainte-Agathe-des-MontsQuebecA year-round playground of lakes and peaks.

Hawkesbury. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.