Ottawa Children’s Festival Announces November 2026 Dates and Programming: Introducing the Black Bird Festival of the Arts for Young People

The Ottawa Children’s Festival de la Jeunesse is pleased to announce its return this November with a special edition of the festival, reimagined as the Black Bird Festival of the Arts for Young People, presented by the Ottawa Children’s Festival.

Taking place November 12–15, 2026, at the Canadian War Museum, this unique event will bring together exceptional Canadian and international artists in a curated program designed to inspire young audiences and their families.

The Black Bird Festival reflects a moment of renewal and resilience for the organization, offering an intimate and powerful artistic experience while the Festival prepares for its full return in May 2027.

Featured Companies

Audiences will experience a dynamic range of theatre and physical performances, including shows from:

• Gale Force Theatre (Nova Scotia) – Known for bold, visually striking productions, Gale Force Theatre brings contemporary storytelling rooted in Atlantic Canada, combining inventive staging with strong narrative and humour. 

• Les Soeurs Kif-Kif (Quebec) – Vibrant and engaging performances blending circus, theatre, and movement, Kif-Kif Sisters create playful, high-energy work that celebrates imagination, connection, and joy. 

• Cause and Effect Theatre (British Columbia) – This company delivers thoughtful, visually rich theatre that explores human connection and transformation through inventive staging and compelling storytelling. 

• Upper Cut Dance Theater (Denmark) – Uppercut Dance Theater creates physically dynamic performances that explore relationships and shared space with precision, humour, and striking visual composition.

A Festival Reimagined

The Black Bird Festival of the Arts for Young People continues the Ottawa Children’s Festival’s long-standing commitment to presenting high-quality professional performing arts for young audiences. This November edition offers a focused, immersive experience while maintaining the Festival’s core values of accessibility, artistic excellence, and cultural diversity.

“The Black Bird is a symbol of resilience, imagination, and song,” says Catherine O’Grady, Executive Producer. “This festival invites young audiences to gather, to wonder, and to reconnect with the power of live performance.”

About the Ottawa Children’s Festival de la Jeunesse

Founded in 1985, the Ottawa Children’s Festival de la Jeunesse is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through world-class performing arts. The Festival presents theatre, dance, circus, music, and multidisciplinary work from Canada and around the world, creating meaningful artistic experiences for children and families.