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BlokJam Set to Bring Ottawa's Biggest Block Party to the ByWard Market This September

NextFest 2026 winning festival celebrates hip-hop culture with a free, bilingual, all-ages block party on September 5



OTTAWA, ON — August 13, 2026 — BlokJam, Ottawa's newest hip-hop block party, will take over ByWard Market Square on Saturday, September 5, 2026, for a free, all-ages day of programming celebrating all four pillars of hip-hop culture: DJing, rap, dance and graffiti. Delivered entirely bilingually, the one-day festival is the result of months of work by a team of young Ottawa-Gatineau creatives who won the Ottawa Festival Network's (OFN) inaugural NextFest competition.


NextFest challenges teams of young festival producers, aged 18 to 25, to design and pitch an original one-day festival concept for the National Capital Region. Ten teams took part in the program's first year, working through training sessions on programming, marketing, budgeting and working with the City before submitting final proposals to a jury of industry experts. BlokJam was selected as the winning concept, earning full funding and hands-on mentorship to bring the festival to life. NextFest is supported by the City of Ottawa's Economic Development Department, the City's Nightlife Office and the City of Ottawa's 200th Anniversary Fund.


Julien Fontaine, co-founder of BlokJam presenting during pitch night at NextFest 2026.
Julien Fontaine, co-founder of BlokJam presenting during pitch night at NextFest 2026.

The BlokJam team was already active in Ottawa's local event and nightlife scene and had been looking for a way to take that experience to the next level. NextFest arrived at the right moment, giving them the opportunity — and the support — to turn that ambition into a full-scale festival. Since being named the winning team, BlokJam has been working around the clock to bring its vision to life ahead of the September 5 event.


“With this festival, we hope to create a stronger sense of belonging to the National Capital Region — a space where young creative minds can express themselves and be inspired by other like-minded creatives,” said the BlokJam team.


BlokJam credits OFN's guidance throughout the NextFest program as a key part of getting the festival off the ground, from learning the fundamentals of event production to navigating the practical work of managing a first-time festival.


“We are inspired by this team's vision and their passion for bridging the gap between Ottawa and Gatineau. With a fully bilingual, multi-disciplinary festival, BlokJam will highlight the local talent we have in the National Capital Region and motivate people to cross the river and dive into something new. We couldn't be more excited to see their vision come to life on September 5,” said Tara Shannon, Executive Director, Ottawa Festival Network.


Looking beyond September 5, the BlokJam team is already eager to pay the experience forward, offering their support to the next generation of local festival producers who will follow in their footsteps through future editions of NextFest.


About BlokJam

BlokJam is a free, one-day, all-ages hip-hop block party taking place September 5, 2026, at ByWard Market Square in downtown Ottawa. Rooted in the linguistic and cultural diversity of the National Capital Region, BlokJam brings together all four pillars of hip-hop — DJing, rap, dance and graffiti — in a bilingual celebration that bridges Ottawa and Gatineau, amplifies anglophone, francophone and newcomer artists, and creates sustainable opportunities for emerging talent. Follow BlokJam on Instagram @blokjam.



About NextFest & the Ottawa Festival Network

NextFest is a festival concept competition created by the Ottawa Festival Network (OFN) for young people aged 18 to 25 to gain hands-on experience in festival planning and production, from initial concept through to a fully realized, fully funded one-day festival. Launched in 2026 as part of OFN's new Innovation Hub, NextFest is designed to incubate emerging festival producers and build a sustainable, resilient festival ecosystem across the National Capital Region. NextFest is supported by the City of Ottawa's Economic Development Department, the City's Nightlife Office and the City of Ottawa's 200th Anniversary Fund. The Ottawa Festival Network is a not-for-profit organization that supports and champions Ottawa's festival sector. Learn more at ottawafestivals.ca.


With Thanks to Our Sponsors & Partners

UTG Digital Media, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, the City of Ottawa's 200th Anniversary Fund, the Ottawa Festival Network, the ByWard Market District Authority, the City of Ottawa's Economic Development Department, and the Ottawa Nightlife Fund.


Media Contact

Scarlet Torraka, Festival Co-Founder, BlokJam

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