FESTIVAL
NEWS

Join us this July for nine nights of incredible music at LeBreton Flats.  1-Day Presale starts tomorrow, Wednesday, February 25th, at 10:00 AM ET.  All Full Festival Pass types will be available during the 1-Day Presale at our special presale pricing until 11:59 PM ONLY! Single Day Tickets will be available during our General Onsale on Thursday, February 26th at 10:00 AM ET. Pick-3 Passes will be available for purchase starting Monday, March 2nd at 10:00 AM.  Purchase your fe

Ottawa School of Theatre presents the Susan M. Flemming Playwriting Awards - a playwriting contest for aspiring writers in the National Capital Region! Thanks to an anonymous $5,000 donation from a community member in honour of Susan M. Flemming, former OST teacher and writer, OST’s playwriting contest is expanding. Winners in the 12-14 and 15-18 age categories will have the chance to see their plays performed on stage by OST students. Winners will also receive a $150 cash pr

OTTAWA, ON (February 18, 2026) – Building on the momentum of its initial 2026 announcement, the Ottawa Jazz Festival is proud to unveil the second wave of artists for its 46th annual edition, running from June 19th to 28th. The second wave of artists will be announced on Wednesday, February 18th at 10am EST, with tickets going on sale Thursday, February 19th at 10am EST. As the festival prepares to transform Confederation Park and the National Arts Centre (NAC), this latest

This year’s Festival provides cinephiles with an eclectic mix of films that have won awards and made waves in the international film circuit over the past year. In IFFO’s Official Selection, programmers curated 22 Canadian and international feature films and select a new Canadian short film to accompany each feature screening. Other film programs in the Festival include the established CFI series Canadian Masters , getting in-depth discussions with some of Canada’s greatest a

On March 3, Elizabeth Hay will sit down with Michael Ondaatje , the acclaimed author of seven novels — including The English Patient , Coming Through Slaughter , The Cat’s Table , and Warlight — a memoir, Running in the Family ; a nonfiction book on film-editing, The Conversations ; and several books of poetry, including A Year of Last Things , The Collected Works of Billy the Kid , The Cinnamon Peeler , and Handwriting . Among many international accolades, Ondaatje won the

Nuit Blanche Ottawa will make its long-awaited return on Saturday, September 26, 2026, under the theme Where Innovation Meets Art . For this new edition, the ByWard Market will be transformed into a vast, free, immersive nighttime art experience, bringing together local, national, and international artists.  Produced by Les Forains, Nuit Blanche Ottawa invites the public to experience an entire night dedicated to contemporary art, where innovation, creativity, and civic enga

It’s that time of year again! Winterlude returns January 30th until February 16th, and we’ve got everything you need to know about this iconic winter festival. What can visitors expect at this year’s festival? The 2026 edition of Winterlude will introduce new events and bring back old favourites… It’s sure to be fun for the whole family! Explore this year’s featured events below, and click here to see a full list of all the upcoming activities. 2026 Winterlude Ice-Carving Ex

Ottawa StoryTellers invites audiences to experience Recovering Romantic from its Signature Series on Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 pm at the Arts Court Studio, 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa. This live storytelling event offers an honest look at modern love with humour and heart. Recovering Romantic is an immersive performance set in the weekly meetings of “Romantics Anonymous,” a support group for people trying to make sense of dating, heartbreak and hope. Through three sessions, story

The Ottawa Jazz Festival   announces a soul-stirring evening of music and philanthropy: Jazz Night Out 2026. On April 14, 2026 , the legendary, six-time GRAMMY Award-winning Blind Boys of Alabama will take the stage at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre for a powerful performance celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stevie Wonder’s iconic album, Songs in the Key of Life . This annual event serves as a vital fundraiser for the Ottawa Jazz Festival , supporting its year-rou

The Ottawa Jazz Festival seeks candidates to fill three vacancies on its Board of Directors. Having just celebrated its 45th year, the festival is a significant event that contributes to the city’s vibrancy by bringing world-class music to Ottawa’s downtown. The ideal candidate will participate in the renewal of the jazz festival, deploying leadership skills, fundraising experience, networking abilities, organizational proficiency, and a passion for live music. Candidates wit

Save 20% on your IFFO 2026 pass! Take advantage of our Early Bird Pricing of $152 CAD until February 10. An International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) Pass includes admission to all screenings and events for a single person, plus 10% off Screen Summit and SAVE AS Passes. Read on for more IFFO Pass perks! Skip the Line Enjoy the Passholders' fastlane, no need to wait in line to access IFFO screenings. Free Merch Show your support for your favourite local indie film festival

Ottawa, ON – Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – The Ottawa Grassroots Festival (OGF) is excited to announce that three-time JUNO-nominated songwriter, composer and music producer Alysha Brilla will headline the 2026 festival on Friday, April 24 at 9PM. As the 2024 Canadian Screen Award-nominated composer for the feature film The Queen of My Dreams, Brilla’s music has earned international acclaim for its emotional depth and cultural resonance. As a songwriter, musician and producer,

Ottawa Bluesfest is thrilled to announce the evening lineup for July 19th, 2026 in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the City of Ottawa!  The Guess Who The Sheepdogs Elisapie & More! A limited number of July 19th GA Day Tickets will be available for 1 DAY ONLY, beginning Thursday, January 22nd 10AM until 10AM Friday, January 23rd, at the discounted price of $25.00 (+HST/services fees). **While quantities last! In partnership with Ottawa Tourism and the City of Ottawa. 

The Irish Society of the National Capital Region announces a NEW LOCATION for its upcoming fundraiser, A Dance Party with an Irish Twist, taking place Saturday, January 24, 2026. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the event has been relocated to: Lone Star Texas Grill (St. Laurent) 1121 Lemieux St., Ottawa Time: 6:00 pm – 11:00pm Tickets : $30 online | $40 at the door Hosted by EMCEE Gail Gavan, this high-energy evening features live performances by three classic rock b

New Spring Festival Blooming in Ottawa to kick off the Saunders Farm 50th Anniversary To celebrate its 50th year, Saunders Farm is thrilled to announce the launch of Tulipfest presented by Saunders Cider . There is always something new blooming at the farm, and this year Saunders Farm is launching a new season with Tulipfest – a brand-new spring festival opening in May 2026. Set within the farm’s stunning circular, six-acre apple orchard in Ottawa’s rural west end, this imme

We’re thrilled to share the first wave of artists confirmed for the 46th annual Ottawa Jazz Festival, returning to downtown Ottawa June 19–28, 2026, in Confederation Park and at the National Arts Centre. This initial lineup sets the tone for an unforgettable summer, featuring internationally acclaimed artists, genre-defying innovators, and some of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz and beyond. What’s New for 2026 A Reimagined Festival Experience Confederation Park

Ottawa’s food scene takes centre stage this winter with the launch of Taste Ottawa: Capital City Bites, a brand-new city-wide culinary initiative presented by Taste Ottawa, debuting for the first time during Winterlude, and graciously supported by Ottawa Tourism. Designed to celebrate the capital’s vibrant dining scene,  Taste Ottawa: Capital City Bites  brings together over 50 participating restaurants, ranging from beloved neighbourhood coffee shops and cafés to elevated fi

Following the success of its first edition, the Ottawa Black Creatives Hub Showcase returns for a second edition with support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition—a powerful night of performance, excellence, and community. The event will be held at the Shenkman Arts Centre, on February 7, 2026. Tickets are available on Shenkman Arts Centre website on which you can also access via the Hors Pair Social website. About the show In celebration of

We're at it again! The Cranium Conference and Showcase will return to the National Arts Centre and other locations in May 2026. As we continue to build the future of Soul/R&B, Hip-hop, and Afrobeat music, we look forward to welcoming musicians, producers, and music business professionals from Ottawa, Canada, and the world. The 2026 Cranium Showcase is an opportunity to display your talents for and network with local, national and international music industry professionals. A

Ottawa, ON — The Ottawa Children’s Festival de la jeunesse (OCF) today announced that Catherine O’Grady will retire at the end of December 2025 after twenty-five years of visionary leadership as the Festival’s head. O’Grady’s tenure has been marked by artistic excellence, strong community partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to accessibility and inclusion for young audiences and their families. Under O’Grady’s guidance, OCF has welcomed generations of children, educators,