FESTIVAL
NEWS

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,

OFN is thrilled to share the following recap of the 2025 Digi60 Festival from its organizing team. Congratulations to all involved! Photos from the 2025 Digi60 Festival The Festival this past weekend was a great success! With a record number of filmmakers participating this year and completely sold out shows, we are filled with gratitude for such an amazing community that is as supportive and passionate about local filmmaking as us.  The filmmakers for the 60-Day Challenge al

Music and Beyond is pleased to announce the return of its popular holiday tradition, Christmas with Music and Beyond , taking place on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre.   Some of Canada’s top instrumentalists, led by the renowned violinist Jonathan Crow, will be joined by soprano Janelle Lucyk, tenor Kerry Bursey , baritone James Coole-Stevenson the Caelis Academy Ensemble conducted by Matthew Larkin . More than 40 performers w

Mādahòkì Farm officially opened its Christmas at Mādahòkì programming last week, with support from TD Bank and Enbridge. The experience invites visitors to celebrate the season through immersive light displays, festive culinary experiences, and authentic Indigenous cultural teachings. The holiday-themed events run Thursdays through Sundays until December 28. At the heart of this year’s festivities is the Trail of Lights & Traditions . Guests are able to wander the glowing Leg

Laura Andrew (left) and Lisa Hollingshead (right) of H.O.P.E It's around lunchtime as Laura Andrews and Lisa Hollingshead of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everywhere) walk into OFN's office. It's immediately clear how accommodating they are and how little they wish to impose ("Are you sure you don't want to eat first?") despite the fact that they've come at our invitation as highly-welcome guests. As we sit down for our interview in late autumn, H.O.P.E. (most known for H.O.

A limited-time Flash Sale (November 23–December 24) offers deeply affordable prices with early access tickets for the Puppets Up! Festival. Ticket options include: Day passes for kids (aged 3-12) for just $10, Day passes for adults (aged 13 and over) for $20 Day passes for families (2 adults and 2 children) for $55. Flash Sale tickets are limited in number, so the festival invites puppet fans to purchase early to avoid disappointment. Puppets Up! says that is com

Join the Ottawa School of Theatre for the world premiere of The House Rules, a holiday show written by local playwrights for a multigenerational cast. What would the world be like without you in it? How do we rely on each other to live good lives, and to face life’s tragedies and wonders? Join us from November 27th to 30th in the Richcraft Theatre at Shenkman Arts Centre for a modern adaptation of the holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life. Written by Bruce Deachman and Megan

Gatineau, November 12th — Following the resounding success of its first edition in 2025, the world’s coldest music festival returns to Gatineau from February 12 to 14, 2026, at Place des festivals Zibi, for a second edition that promises to be even wilder. The event will deliver three nights of pure energy, bringing together some of the biggest names in the global electronic scene in a frosty, electrifying atmosphere. An international-caliber lineup The 2026 lineup promises

Ottawa Bluesfest will be part of the celebrations marking Ottawa’s 200 th  anniversary in 2026. To make sure residents and visitors are celebrating in style next summer, Ottawa Bluesfest will deliver a special day of programming on Sunday, July 19. The day will feature a full program of music, memories and civic pride. The day will be topped off with a performance by iconic Canadian rockers, The Guess Who. The City, together with its partners, Ottawa Tourism  and Ottawa Blues

ChromaQueer Film + Arts Festival will hold its inaugural event from November 7 to 9, 2025, at Arts Court in Ottawa.

The Irish Society of the National Capital Region is pleased to announce the return of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Ottawa.

MUNSTER, ON - Saunders Farm is thrilled to announce that this year’s PumpkinFest and FrightFest have marked a record-breaking Haunting Season. Thousands of guests joined us to celebrate the magic, mystery, and fun that make Saunders Farm a beloved fall tradition. We are profoundly grateful to our community for the incredible support we’ve received this season. Every year, our team strives to give back to the community that makes Saunders Farm what it is - and this year has be

Performances by Amanda Rheaume, Reuben and The Bullhorn Singers, Sebastian Gaskin, Mimi O’Bonsawin, Drives The Common Man, and many more!  Ottawa, October 29, 2025 -  The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), Red Music Rising (RMR) and Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) are proud to present the third year of the Minoshkite (Mee-No-Shkeet) Indigenous Music & Arts Festival . This year marks an exciting milestone as the festival expands to two nights, November 13th and 14th 202

Ottawa, ON — The Ottawa Canadian Film Festival (OCanFilmFest) is thrilled to announce the return of its 9th annual festival, taking place November 6–8, 2025 at the ByTowne Cinema . This year’s lineup features 17 Canadian films , showcasing the diversity, creativity, and innovation of filmmakers from across the country, including several works by local filmmakers, with one film featuring CTV Ottawa anchor, Stefan Keyes . From heartfelt comedies and gripping dramas to imaginat

The Ottawa Canadian Film Festival (OCanFilmFest) is thrilled to announce the return of its 9th annual festival, taking place November...