Ottawa Jazz Festival Launches $400,000 "Keep The Music Playing" Campaign To Secure Future Of Iconic Event

Ottawa, ON (October 29, 2026) —  For 46 years, Ottawa Jazz Festival has served as an essential pillar of the region’s cultural life, bringing the community together through the extraordinary power of live music. Today, the non-profit charitable organization is launching Keep the Music Playing, a vital $400,000 fundraising campaign asking the community to help secure its future and write its next chapter.

Like many performing arts organizations, Ottawa Jazz Festival is facing significant financial pressures due to rising production costs and an increasingly challenging funding environment. In response, festival leadership is proactively reimagining operations, strengthening strategic partnerships, and building a more sustainable model to ensure extraordinary musical experiences remain in Ottawa for generations to come.

The Keep the Music Playing campaign aims to raise $400,000 by December 1, 2026 to navigate this crucial transition, address immediate financial needs, and build a resilient foundation for the years ahead. From showcasing major international headliners and celebrating Canadian talent to nurturing emerging artists and fostering youth through t

he Jazz Youth Summit, the festival's impact relies on community support.

"The Ottawa Jazz Festival belongs to everyone who believes in the power of live music—our audiences, volunteers, artists, businesses, and friends," said Petr Cancura, Executive and Artistic Director of the Festival. "Whether someone attended one concert or hundreds, volunteered their time, or simply believed a vibrant arts scene makes Ottawa a better place to live, every contribution matters."

As a registered non-profit charity, the festival relies on community generosity. Donations of $20 or more are tax-deductible, and contributions at every level — whether $25, $250, or $2,500 — go directly toward preserving this cherished Ottawa tradition.

How to Support

Community members and businesses wishing to contribute to the $400,000 goal and ensure the festival’s future can make tax-deductible donations online or learn more by visiting the festival website.

About Ottawa Jazz Festival

Founded in 1980, the Ottawa Jazz Festival is a non-profit charitable organization that has enriched Canada’s National Capital Region for over 45 years. Each summer, the Festival transforms downtown Ottawa into a world-class destination for live music, showcasing international headliners, celebrating Canadian talent, and nurturing emerging musicians through the Jazz Youth Summit. Dedicated to artistic excellence, community connection, and downtown economic vitality, the Festival ensures live music remains an essential pillar of Ottawa’s cultural landscape. Learn more at ottawajazzfestival.com.