The Great Glebe Garage Sale
The tradition of the Great Glebe Garage Sale lives on! Plan to spend the day on Saturday, May 24.
The Great Glebe Garage Sale
A community tradition returns!
By Sam Woods
Spring is in the air, and that means it’s almost time for one of Ottawa’s most beloved community events: The Great Glebe Garage Sale! A community staple since its creation in 1986 by the Glebe Community Association, this neighbourhood-wide event has grown into a much-anticipated tradition for residents and visitors alike. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the Glebe transforms into a bustling hub of treasure hunters, bargain seekers and community spirit.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned veteran, the Great Glebe Garage Sale (together with the Bank Street merchants’ sidewalk sale) has something for everyone. This annual event invites Glebe residents to set up garage sales on their private properties, creating a sprawling, sidewalk-adjacent marketplace filled with everything from vintage furniture and retro clothes to books, toys, kitchen gadgets and hidden gems you didn’t know you needed!
As the new GCA coordinator (and fervent longtime attendee) of this cherished event, I’m thrilled to see the community come together once again for a day of fun, reuse and fundraising. Not only is the event a fantastic opportunity to declutter and find bargains, it also supports a great cause. Participants are encouraged to donate a portion of their proceeds (10 per cent) to the Ottawa Food Bank – you can use your garage sale haul to give back to those in need.
Tips for sellers
Here are a few tips to make this year’s sale a success.
- Private Property Only, Please
To keep the event safe, orderly and respectful of public spaces, all sales must be held exclusively on private property. That means front yards, driveways and garages are fine but no selling on the sidewalks or streets. This guideline helps ensure pedestrian safety and prevents congestion that could interfere with emergency access to the neighbourhood.
- Thinking of Selling Food? Get a Permit First!
Food lovers are a big part of what makes this event so vibrant – from lemonade stands to homemade cookies and BBQs. But if you’re planning to sell any type of food or drink, you must obtain a food vendor permit from the City of Ottawa. This ensures public health standards are met and keeps everyone safe while enjoying their snacks.
- 3. Spread the Word – and the Joy!
Part of the fun of the Great Glebe Garage Sale is the energy it brings to the Glebe. From chatting with neighbours to haggling with friendly buyers, it’s a social highlight of the season. If you’re planning to host a sale, let your friends and neighbours know and share your participation on social media. The more, the merrier!
- Plan Ahead for Cleanup – New Garbage Limits in Effect
After sale day, it’s up to residents to responsibly dispose of any unsold items. The following week, May 26-30, is a regular garbage collection week in Ottawa. Please be aware that the City of Ottawa has implemented a new three-item limit on curbside garbage collection.
Anything beyond this limit will not be collected unless tagged with a purchased garbage tag. We encourage everyone to plan ahead: donate reusable goods to local charities, post leftovers on community sharing sites or save items for another sale. Let’s keep the Glebe clean and clutter-free – and reduce landfill waste while we’re at it!
Why It Matters
The Great Glebe Garage Sale isn’t just a fun, feel-good neighbourhood event – though it is definitely that! It’s a testament to the power of community for a great cause! Year after year, we see people of all ages and backgrounds come together for a day that promotes sustainability through reuse, supports local causes like the Ottawa Food Bank and builds lasting connections through simple, friendly exchange.
If you’re new to the Glebe, this is a perfect way to get to know your neighbours. And if you’ve lived here for years, it’s a chance to celebrate what makes the Glebe such a special place to call home.
On behalf of the organizing team, thank you for helping make the Great Glebe Garage Sale a continued success year after year. I can’t wait to see what treasures await us all this year, and I hope to see you out there, rain or shine!
Sam Woods is the new coordinator of the Great Glebe Garage Sale for the Glebe Community Association.