Ottawa Gatherings Co.
How to Make Friends in Ottawa (Even If You’re Shy or New to the City)
How to Make Friends in Ottawa (Even If You’re Shy or New to the City)
Let’s face it: making friends as an adult isn’t always the easiest thing to do— especially you try to start over again in a new city. If you are new to Ottawa, you might be looking for all sorts of ways on how to meet people or how to go from “acquaintance” to “actual friend.”
You know what's the good news? You’re not alone! And better yet — Ottawa is full of warm, welcoming communities just waiting for you to join. Presenting to you our step-by-step guide on how to make friends in Ottawa, even if you’re starting fresh!
1. Go to Events Before You Feel “Ready”
A common trap is waiting to settle in before putting yourself out there. The very best you can do is get to an event early on within your first few weeks. Even something casual can foster a real connection.
That is what Gatherings Co. about — making meeting new people feel easy!
Check out our upcoming social events!
2. Use Social Media to Your Advantage
Instagram and TikTok aren’t just for memes — they’re great tools for finding what’s happening locally. Try searching hashtags like:
#OttawaEvents
#NewInOttawa
#OttawaMeetup
You’ll discover everything from paint nights to park picnics hosted for people looking to meet new people and have a blast!
3. Say “Yes” to One Thing Each Week
Commit to attending one event per week — it could be a meetup, live show, or even a volunteer session. The more you show up, the easier it becomes to connect. Set it as a weekly goal for yourself!
Some good starters:
Trivia nights
Group fitness classes
Language exchanges
Café crawl events
4. Use the “+1 Strategy”
Let’s say you meet someone cool — invite them to the next event you’re going to. It can sound like:
“Hey, I’m going to this thing on Thursday — don’t know anyone else going. Want to come with?”
It’s casual, non-awkward, and builds on your first connection. Who knows, you might just end up being friends forever!
5. Be Open to Different Types of Friendships
You might not click with the very first people you meet — and that’s totally okay. But those people might introduce you to others. Stay open and curious. A thriving social life is built over time, not in one weekend.
Helpful Links:
It’s not about being the most outgoing — it’s about being consistent. If you keep showing up, you will start building your Ottawa community.
👉 Start with one event. Click here to join us — we can’t wait to meet you.