Fringe 2025 Is Back and Bolder Than Ever

Ottawa Fringe 2025 returns with an exciting blend of live performances, community connections and new bilingual friendly shows! After several years of rebuilding, the festival is not just back, it’s thriving, with more artists, venues and more chances for people to discover something unexpected.  

“We've kind of grown back over the last few years to our pre-pandemic numbers,” says Alain Richer, Executive Director of Ottawa Fringe. “The amount of shows involved is looking like the same number of artists that we had back in 2018 and 2019, which is a very exciting regrowth.” 

This year’s festival runs from June 12 to 22 and features 58 shows across nine venues, with nearly 375 performances. With shows starting every half hour and ticket prices capped at 14 dollars, audiences are encouraged to explore widely and take risks. And the best part? Every dollar from ticket sales goes directly to the artists. 

“100 per cent of box office revenue returns to artists,” says Richer. “It’s a $14 ticket, and the Fringe actually gets zero cents. Which is not a very smart business model. But here we are.” 

Ottawa Fringe has long stood by its artist-first model, relying on funders, sponsors, and a modest five dollar festival pin to make the rest happen.  

A Fringe Pin is a five dollar pin that is required to get into any show. All the pin revenue goes back to Ottawa Fringe so that they can continue putting on amazing festivals year after year.   

You can buy a Fringe Pin online at checkout when you buy your box office tickets or at any box office. For more information visit Ottawa Fringe’s box office webpage.  

This year marks the introduction of a new francophone category, a move that reflects the festival’s growing commitment to linguistic and cultural inclusion. Seven French-language shows will be featured, some with English captions, offering an accessible and bilingual experience for a wide range of audiences.   

One of the shows is going to be doing three of their performances in French with English captions and three in English with French captions.  

“There’s so much hidden bilingualism in Ottawa,” says Richer. “We discovered that many of our audience members were already bilingual—we’d just never interacted with them in French.” 

Some of the French shows are a part of Fringe’s Community Series. Now in its second year, the Community Series creates space for free events to “celebrate marginalized voices and hyper local collaborations,” says Emma Ferrante.  

Emma Ferrante pictured left

Ferrante is the Associate Artistic Director for Fringe and one of the people in charge of the Community Series.  These events are designed to reduce barriers and welcome new audiences who may not have previously connected with Fringe. 

“They’re 100% free,” Ferrante explains. “You don’t even need a Fringe Pin to enter that space. We want people to come who maybe have never even interacted or engaged with our festival before.” 

Among the most anticipated events are Beats & Bibs, a family-friendly club experience with reduced sound levels, and Cabaret-aoke, a wild mash-up of karaoke, drag, and burlesque that puts performers and audience members on stage together.  

“Cabaret-aoke is something we dreamed up to take karaoke to the next level,” says Ferrante. “You get to sing with a live burlesque dancer or drag queen performing beside you.” 

Other events include Silent Disco, with DJs from the Black collective Pass the Vibes, and Freaky Fringe Friday, a spooky collaboration with another OFN member Saunders Farm.  

The main hub for the festival is the Fringe Courtyard at 67 Nicholas Street, where local vendors, open seating, and a bar create a dynamic hub for gathering, relaxing, and promoting shows. 

Check out the Silent Disco!

“The fringe is like a space for possibility,” Ferrante says. “It’s where ideas can be born and seen by an audience for the first time. And once you’re there, and you feel that kind of energy, you get hooked.” 

This year’s festival also continues its Open Doors program, a unique initiative that offers waived fees, production bursaries, and mentorship to artists who are BIPOC, gender-diverse, trans, or disabled and producing their first show.  

For those who’ve never attended, Richer has a simple invitation: start with what you know and then try something new. 

 “Fringe has an overwhelming amount of performances, yes. But it’s also a place to take a chance. Run times are under an hour; tickets are $14, and it might not be for you, but you really haven’t lost much,” says Richer.  “A fringe experience is really fun if you get to see three shows: start with something safe, take a risk in the middle, and end with something you know you’ll enjoy.” 

Ferrante echoes the spirit of openness and discovery. “Fringe is here. We’re not going anywhere. Whether you’re just chilling on the patio, vibing at a community event, or buying a $14 ticket to support an artist—you’re helping keep the arts alive in Ottawa.” 

The message is simple: come out, take a chance, and be part of something special. Ottawa Fringe 2025 is more than a festival. It’s a community waiting to welcome you. 

To learn more about Ottawa Fringe check out their website  and follow them on social media: Facebook Instagram