Live Music Festivals in Ottawa
There is no shortage of live music in the National Capital Region - over 60% of all annual festivals, fairs and special events have a live music component in their program. Everything from folk, jazz, rock, and electronic, to classical, blues, and hip-hop is celebrated. Here's a run down of signature events for all music fans to have on their festival lineup.
February
IglooFest Gatineau
Every winter, Igloofest brings together thousands of electronic music fans. With its icy backdrop, striking architectural setup, and a lineup featuring some of the most sought-after DJs, Igloofest has become one of the coolest and most talked-about events in Canada.
March, June, September, December
Pique
A forward-thinking, artist-driven event series like no other, Pique brings together diverse artistic communities to explore, experiment and connect. Expect an evening of adventurous music, immersive art, and unexpected discoveries.
March
Kiwanis Music Festival
The Kiwanis Music Festival has been in continuous existence since 1945. In 2026, about 8,000 talented youth musicians performed for audiences over 15,000 people.
April
Ottawa Grassroots Festival
Founded in 2012 by Bob Nesbitt and a passionate team of volunteers, the festival has grown into a beloved community event. It's a music festival dedicated to cultivating community at the local level through a vibrant annual festival of concerts and participatory workshops.
May through September
Bistrofest Ottawa
Bistrofest is a free outdoor music festival celebrating the incredible original talent right here in our community. No tickets, no barriers, just great music, great people, and a shared love of live performance.
June
Ottawa Jazz Festival
Founded in 2012 by Bob Nesbitt and a passionate team of volunteers, the festival has grown into a beloved community event. It's a music festival dedicated to cultivating community at the local level through a vibrant annual festival of concerts and participatory workshops.
July and August
Ottawa Chamberfest
Ottawa Chamberfest brings together the boldest names in ensemble and solo performance for musical celebration in the nation’s capital. The world’s largest festival of its kind, Ottawa Chamberfest celebrated 30 years of changing lives through music in 2024.
July
Music and Beyond
Music and Beyond is a classical music and arts festival that began in July 2010. Each year, the festival offers a variety of programming to highlight exciting connections between classical music and other art forms.
July
Ottawa Bluesfest
Since 1994, Ottawa Bluesfest has presented a wide variety of world-class local, regional, national and international musicians. As one of Canada’s foremost music festivals, the event attracts over 30,000 fans to LeBreton Flats for multiple nights throughout Ottawa's summer.
July through October
Music in the BIAs
Across the city, live music pops up in the streets through a variety of initiatives supported by our business improvement areas (BIAs) and the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC).
In Vanier, residents and visitors can enjoy Akoustik, a free outdoor music series that presents twenty-one artists across ten Wednesdays in the summer.
In the downtown core, Songs from the Shed and Live from the Booth animate Sparks Street with a free lunchtime concert series during weekdays and a new pop-up DJ and electronic music series on Saturday evenings.
City Sounds Live is a travelling music festival presented by OMIC in partnership with BIAs and co-curators in various neighbourhoods around Ottawa. The 2024 City Sounds Live program saw a total of 99 individual artists paid through 55 different performances across 20 concerts.
August
Panda Fest
A hard-hitting heavy metal and punk music festival in Ottawa hosted by Pandamonium Promotions. For it's fifth edition, Panda Fest hosted 22 bands across three days in the ByWard Market in 2026.
August
Broncs and 'Tonks
A new festival for Ottawa in 2026, Broncs and 'Tonks brings out Ottawa's wild side with top country music hits. One unforgettable day of rodeo, country music and a whole lot of good times.
September
CityFolk Festival
CityFolk is a multi-day celebration of music, dance, and community featuring an eclectic mix of musical performances on various stages. It is family-friendly, community-focused, culturally diverse and committed to eco-friendly initiatives.
September
Black & Bluegrass Festival
Founded in 2013 as a means to promote shows for bands who play a fusion of genres like Folk, Bluegrass and Punk Rock, Black & Bluegrass festival creates a scene with artists from in and around Ottawa that invoked this brand of off the beaten path, nomadic street music.
September
Ottawa Latin Jazz Conference
The Ottawa Latin Jazz Conference celebrates the strength and creativity of Canada’s multicultural diaspora. Presented by Latin Hub Canada, the conference offers an immersive experience for students, musicians, and music lovers with a special focus on Afro‑Cuban rhythmic traditions and Latin jazz education.
October through December
Ontario Festival of Small Halls
The Ontario Festival of Small Halls brings world-class music to the heart of Ontario’s rural communities, celebrating the charm and intimacy of cherished venues across the province. Since its debut in 2014, the festival has grown from just three halls to dozens of locations, hosting acclaimed Canadian and international artists in warm, historic spaces where audiences and performers connect on a personal level.
October
Gatineau Hills Fiddle Festival
The Gatineau Hills Fiddle Festival (GHFF) is a traditional music festival held annually in Chelsea, QC, Canada. The mission of the GHFF is to promote traditional fiddle music in the local community by presenting concerts, workshops, and jam sessions as part of an annual festival.
Capital Music Week
Capital Music Week is Ottawa’s premier music industry event, a citywide takeover that showcases the soul of the capital city through live music and inspiring events. CxMW is your chance to discover new local and international artists and genres – and to align the city’s local music scene.
October
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Ongoing
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa
Immerse yourself into the electrifying world of live music and entertainment where every beat resonates with your soul. Get front-row access to the most coveted concerts, spectacular sports events, and live performances that make memories to last a lifetime. Shows take place year round.