Nine things you should know about free family events at Ottawa Bluesfest Sunday, July 19

This article was originally published by the City of Ottawa

We assume you already plan to celebrate Ottawa’s 200th anniversary with free, family-friendly fun at Ottawa Bluesfest. But, in case you’re still undecided, look closer at what’s going on at Lebreton Flats on Sunday, July 19, between noon and 4 pm.

Day 200!

Sunday, July 19 is the 200th day of 2026. You have an opportunity to celebrate Ottawa’s 200th anniversary on the 200th day of the year. That’s just cool! You can’t pass that up.

Music on stage

Of course there’s music. It’s Ottawa Bluesfest! You can enjoy a full afternoon of headliners, like Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy & Family, Les Petites Tounes, and Choir! Choir! Choir! You will also see some of the best in young and up-and-coming local musical talent from Bluesfest’s own Blues In The Schools and Be In The Band programs.

Join the circus for a day

Cirquonscient will bring the festival grounds to life with stunning aerial acts showcasing strength, creativity and breathtaking movement, high above the crowd. Between performances, artists will roam the site, engaging festival-goers with stilt walking, poi spinning, flowing fans, ribbons and hula hoops. Join the mini circus workshop, where children and families can try out a variety of circus props.

Museum fun by Ingenium 

Hands-on activities and engaging experiences will bring science, technology and Canadian innovation to life for all ages, courtesy of Ingenium – Canada’s museums of science and innovation.

• Canada Agriculture and Food Museum: Discover fascinating items from the museum to learn about Canadian farming, animals and agriculture in a fun, engaging way for all ages.

• Canada Aviation and Space Museum: Through a fun, interactive experience, learn what it takes to guide Canadarm2 in orbit and explore key milestones in Canada’s space story.

Canada Science and Technology Museum: Explore the science of perception, coordination and motion with our buzzer game, experience your brain being tricked by inversion goggles, and try to aim an invisible stream of air with our giant air cannon.

Ottawa Fire Services Ambassadors

Any day is a good day for fire safety. Come talk with members of Ottawa Fire Services, pick up some SWAG and learn a thing or two about fire safety.

Canadian War Museum 

Once you get to Lebreton Flats consider visiting the nearby Canadian War Museum. It’s right there and children are free! 

Design and colour your own paper tanks in the LeBreton Gallery and discover the evolution of Canadian military rations from the War of 1812 to the Afghanistan War. Through storytelling, hands-on displays and interactive participation, explore how food preservation, nutrition and logistics have shaped meals for our armed forces. Do not miss their new exhibition Close to Conflict – Canada and the American Civil War, that explores the ways that the American Civil War (1861 to 1865) shaped Canadian society, politics and military - and why its legacies still matter today.

Evening programming 

The evening show at Ottawa Bluesfest is a paid, ticketed event, and you will have to buy tickets in advance if you plan to go. The show runs from 5 to 11 pm and features The Guess Who, Connor Price, The Sheepdogs, Elisapie, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, 4KORNERS, Banggz, LeFLOFRANCO, Paolo Stante Band, Rebelle, Savannah Shea, and TYR ONE.

Evening finale

After the evening lineup, Ottawa Bluesfest will wrap up the night with a mesmerizing drone show. You won’t want to miss this.

Transit information

For service to and from Ottawa Bluesfest, OC Transpo customers can use Pimisi and Bayview O-Train stations. O-Train Line 1 will operate more frequently in the evenings when event attendees are returning home, and special westbound bus service will operate from Albert Street at Booth Street. O-Train service on Lines 1 and 2 will be extended to midnight on Sunday, July 12 and Sunday, July 19. 

During the free daytime programming, regular OC Transpo fares will apply. All children and youth aged 18 and under ride free all summer long.

Attending the evening show? Travelling on OC Transpo is free for event ticketholders. Customers can travel on all buses, trains and Para Transpo up to three hours before and two hours after the event on the date their Ottawa Bluesfest pass is valid.

Learn more about what’s happening for Ottawa’s 200^th anniversary.