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FESTIVAL
NEWS
Your home for the latest Ottawa festival, special event and fair announcements, previews, updates, and reviews. You'll also find related industry news and research from around the world.
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From Ottawa to Ireland: Real Stories from the Next Generation of Event Leaders
Sometimes the biggest lessons don’t happen in the classroom... they happen halfway across the world. For Michael Peters and Leo Bak,...
Jul 174 min read
NCC publishes 25-year "National Capital Core Area Plan" for Ottawa's downtown core
The National Capital Commission (NCC) has published its updated National Capital Core Area Plan , a framework that lays out a bold vision...
Jun 191 min read
Night Ambassadors are coming to the ByWard Market to help ensure everyone has a safe night out
T hanks to a contribution of $35,000 from the City of Ottawa’s Nightlife Office, the ByWard Market District Authority is launching a...
Jun 51 min read
Pilot Program: Reusable Cups Take the Lead at 5K Race
Photo credits: Craig Conoley/EnviroCentre At this year’s Run to Empower, sustainability wasn’t just a side note — it was part of the...
May 293 min read
The City of Ottawa wants your opinion on its budget
The City of Ottawa wants to hear from you on Budget 2026. Draft Budget 2026 has many opportunities for you to get involved, including...
May 212 min read
City of Ottawa Special Event By-Law Review
The City of Ottawa recently published the Special Event By-law review and recommendations report . OFN's Executive Director, Tara Shannon...
May 153 min read
Ontario Investing 1.4 Million to Support Festivals and Events in Ottawa
Ottawa, ON - The Ontario government is investing $1.4 million through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support 23 festivals and...
Apr 292 min read
Ontario Investing $20 Million to Support Festivals and Events Across the Province
Investment will celebrate Canadian culture and boost local tourism and economies. Tourism, Culture and Gaming THUNDER BAY – The Ontario...
Apr 243 min read
The CLMA Calls on Government to Urgently Prioritize Canadian Artists at Home
April 10th, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario — The world is witnessing seismic shifts in political climates, social tensions, growing concerns...
Apr 103 min read
ByWard Market: How the City is reimagining Ottawa's original economic engine
Decades before Ottawa became Canada’s capital, and before it was even called Ottawa, there was the ByWard Market. Established in 1827 by...
Apr 73 min read
OFN congratulates Stan Cho on re-appointment as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
OFN would like to extend a congratulations to Stan Cho on his re-appointment as Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming! As...
Mar 271 min read
City launches new podcast series, OttaTalk, with an episode about the nightlife economy
This is OttaTalk, where City staff and residents discuss City programs, projects and initiatives.
Mar 131 min read
Support for Canada's live industry arrives: FACTOR's Promoter Program opens for one month, starting today
Quite a buzz has built up around live music in Canada in recent weeks, from the CLMA's landmark economic impact study to the ByWard...
Mar 101 min read
OFN members nominated for 2025 Ottawa Awards
The 2025 Ottawa Awards nominees have been announced, and several Ottawa Festival Network members are in the running to be recognized...
Feb 261 min read
Committee approves policy to improve access to cultural funding
The Community Services Committee approved a new Cultural Funding Policy for the City of Ottawa.
Feb 252 min read
Ottawa's new ByWard Market venue now has a name
Artist's rendering of History Ottawa's Rideau entrance exterior (Live Nation Canada via Ottawa Business Journal ) We now know what Live...
Feb 202 min read
Canadian Live Music Association Releases Benchmark Study on the Industry's Economic Impact
New Study Provides Hard Data On The Live Music Industry’s Economic Impact On Canadians, Including a $10.92 Billion Annual Contribution To...
Feb 193 min read
New standardized process for extending alcohol service hours in Ottawa
At its meeting on January 29th, Ottawa City Council provided the Director of By-law and Regulatory Services with the delegated authority...
Feb 181 min read
OFN and Volunteer Ottawa Launch New Festival Volunteer Portal
Ottawa Festival Network (OFN) and Volunteer Ottawa (VO) are thrilled to announce the launch of the Ottawa Festival Volunteer Portal , a...
Jan 73 min read
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