FESTIVAL
NEWS

The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation (ODBF) is proud to announce the recipient charities of the 2026 ODBF Pledge Challenge and to officially launch its annual summer fundraising campaign in support of essential local programs. The ODBF Pledge Challenge raises critical funds for Ottawa-based charities delivering frontline services to thousands of residents across the city. Funds will be raised through June 30 in support of: Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (Walk This Way program), N

The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival returns to Mooney’s Bay Park this weekend, June 19-21! Here are five reasons to stop by the park this year. Be sure to share your photos using #OttFestLive! Challenge Cups: Celebrate community through competition The heart of the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival beats through its Challenge Cups — thrilling races that celebrate diversity, community spirit, and shared purpose. These signature races offer organizations, cultural

Canada is ready to celebrate in a big way! Make the most of your day filled with music, discoveries and memorable moments with family and friends. A sea of red and white in Canada’s Capital Region Grab your flag, wear your colours and join the celebration! In Ottawa and Gatineau, enjoy a full lineup of shows, ceremonies and activities for all ages, capped off by the iconic Tim Hortons Canada Day Fireworks. Canada Day activities include… Om Canada! Festive Avenue Ottawa Senato

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is celebrating its one-year anniversary with 10 days of music, celebration and community connection. From June 26 to July 5, the property will mark this milestone with headline concerts, Canada Day fireworks, prizes, promotions and a meaningful local music donation, reinforcing Hard Rock’s commitment to live entertainment and the Ottawa community. The celebration is anchored by major live performances at Hard Rock LIVE, featuring globally recog

JUNE 11, 2026 — OTTAWA, ON — This July, Ottawa will host a cultural event of profound international significance as Odesa Classics, Ukraine’s celebrated international music festival, makes its North American debut as part of Ottawa’s Chamberfest 2026 summer festival. Odesa Classics was founded in 2015 by acclaimed pianist Alexey Botvinov and quickly became one of Europe’s leading classical music festivals. Each summer it welcomed globally renowned artists and orchestras to O

For the first time ever, the festival grounds at Confederation Park will be completely open to the public during Ottawa Jazz Festival, from June 18–28, 2026! Drop by nightly starting at 5:00 PM to soak up the vibrant atmosphere, grab food and drinks before the show, and check out cool activations from partners like Nordik Spa. And if you hear something you love? Tickets for performances inside our gated concert venues will be available for purchase on site at our Box Office o

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, is proud to unveil the official programming for Canada Day 2026. On July 1, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are invited to celebrate in their own communities, as well as in the heart of Canada’s Capital Region. Wherever we are, Canada Day remains a unique opportunity to come together, create precious memories and proudly show our colours. Canada

From July 16 to 26, the Festival Parasol will once again transform the P5 parking lot of the Hotel-Casino Lac-Leamy into a true festive oasis in the heart of the Gatineau summer. Following a successful first edition under its new identity, the event promises an even more immersive experience this year with an enhanced music lineup and the addition of Sundays to the schedule! Festival Parasol is keeping everything that made it a success: a full-on vacation atmosphere, vibrant

Festival weekend at Wesley Clover Parks features educational experiences, Competition Pow Wow, ReconciliaACTION Drone Show, live entertainment and more Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, ON – May 28, 2026 – The 2026 Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) returns this June with a vibrant celebration of National Indigenous History Month, culminating in the Festival’s signature weekend event on June 20–21, at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa. Produced by Indigenous Experience

Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with four Gatineau craft breweries: À La Dérive Brasserie Artisanale, 5e Baron, Brasserie du Bas-Canada and Brasserie artisanale Gallicus. This partnership is rooted in a long-term vision: building lasting connections with local businesses that embody the richness and pride of our region. Every beer poured on the festival grounds is an opportunity to honour local enterprises and celebrate the br

The festival will feature a wealth of artists at a wide array of intimate sites in communities across Ontario, during the months of October, November, and December. Along with five shows at longstanding The Ontario Festival of Small Halls venue, Almonte Old Town Hall, music fans will be pleased to see Small Halls returning to Carleton Place Arena and Carp Agricultural Hall, as well as performances in Meaford, Fergus, and the Peterborough region! Buy your tickets here. Full Sc

Ottawa, ON - The Ottawa Jazz Festival is proud to announce CF Rideau Centre as the Title Sponsor of its 46th annual edition, taking place June 18–28, 2026. This year’s Festival will feature an expanded schedule, including the addition of a new opening day on June 18, offering audiences even more opportunities to experience live music in the heart of downtown Ottawa. CF Rideau Centre, owned and operated by Cadillac Fairview, is Ottawa’s premier shopping and lifestyle destinati

Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy is proud to announce the launch of Taste the Sky, an immersive and festive gourmet experience that is part of the programming for their 29th edition. Every evening, a local chef reinterprets the flavours and culinary traditions of the featured country through a creative and festive open-air tasting experience. Festival-goers are invited to reserve their experience now at https://feux.qc.ca. An Experience to Be Lived as Much as Tasted Tast

DOWNTOWN BIA ANNOUNCES RIBFEST 2026 Ottawa, ON — May 13, 2026 – The Downtown BIA and Sparks Street Mall Authority announce the return of the original Ottawa Ribfest for five days of award-winning local food and live entertainment to kick off the summer season. This family-friendly event takes place on Sparks Street from May 27 to May 31, 2026. Photo: Downtown BIA “Ottawa Ribfest is a much-anticipated activation in the downtown core that attracts visitors to Sparks Street for

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – CityFolk organizers today announced plans for the 2026 edition of the perennially popular event, including a stellar lineup and a new, centrally located and highly accessible festival site at Ottawa’s RA Centre, off Riverside Drive. Ottawa’s favourite fall festival will remain a ‘must-see-and-be-seen’ experience in the nation’s capital while maintaining broad appeal for all music fans, young and old, alike. “It’s another exciting turning point in our festi

This summer, Topique returns on June 12–13, 2026 as Pique’s knowledge forum, enriching the festival’s 20th edition with a focused program of panels, artist talks, screenings, and demonstrations. Taking place at the Arts Court, the two-day gathering brings together artists, cultural workers, and makers from Uganda, Hong Kong, the United States, and across Canada to engage in timely conversations around equity, sustainability, and collective futures in the arts. Across discipli

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is proud to partner with the Ottawa Food Bank to host the 10th anniversary Food Sort Challenge, presented by Mondeau Bathroom and Kitchen, a division of Boone, on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa

Join Us May 9th for Opening Day! The moment you’ve been waiting for is here - dated Tulipfest tickets are officially on sale 🌷 Join us starting May 9 as Saunders Farm comes to life with nearly half a million tulips in bloom. Wander through our six-acre orchard, take in over 40 stunning varieties, and enjoy a day of food, drinks, and amazing springtime atmosphere. From May 9th - 24th, we’ll be open EVERY DAY from 10 AM – 8 PM (rain or shine!), with the exception of May 11. W

There’s even more music to look forward to this summer! The Ottawa Jazz Festival has added an extra day of programming on June 18, 2026, to bring you even more live music in the heart of Downtown Ottawa. This extra day of music is thanks to the generous support of Ottawa Tourism. This expansion allows the festival to further boost our city's vibrant cultural scene and welcome even more visitors to the downtown core. Headlining on June 18th is Grammy Award-winning artist Wycle

Ottawa Chamberfest announces its 2026 Summer Festival, running July 23 to August 2, featuring a wide-ranging program of international and Canadian artists, bold new music, major chamber collaborations, and free community events across 11 days in the Nation’s Capital. Set against Ottawa’s bicentennial year, the 2026 edition reflects a city celebrating 200 years of history, growth, and cultural expression. At its core, the festival invites audiences to step away from the everyd