Unity Through Live Music: Ottawa Jazz Festival Unveils Second Wave Lineup for 46th Annual Festival and Commits to Reduced General Admission Rates

OTTAWA, ON (February 18, 2026) – Building on the momentum of its initial 2026 announcement, the Ottawa Jazz Festival is proud to unveil the second wave of artists for its 46th annual edition, running from June 19th to 28th. The second wave of artists will be announced on Wednesday, February 18th at 10am EST, with tickets going on sale Thursday, February 19th at 10am EST.

As the festival prepares to transform Confederation Park and the National Arts Centre (NAC), this latest announcement reinforces a commitment not just to world-class music, but to the well-being and affordability of the Ottawa community.

Music as a Sanctuary: Prioritizing Affordability 

In a period of global uncertainty where the dollar often doesn’t go as far as it used to, the Ottawa Jazz Festival is taking a bold stand. While many events are raising costs, the Festival is lowering General Admission ticket prices for 2026, ensuring that the transformative power of live music remains accessible to an even wider audience. Festivals and community gatherings play an important role in our well being and sense of inspiration. By streamlining the festival layout to bring the two main outdoor stages closer together in Confederation Park, the event creates a seamless “musical campus” that celebrates both international stars and local talent. This unified footprint invites the entire community to step away from the noise of the world and find sanctuary in a shared, intimate experience. 

"We believe that music is a fundamental human need, especially when the world feels unpredictable," says Petr Cancura, Executive & Artistic Director. 

Second Wave Artist Announcement

The second wave of artists brings a genre-blurring mix of legends and modern innovators to the downtown core. Tickets go on sale Thursday, February 19 at 10am EST. Artist pages will be live on Wednesday, February 18th at 10am EST.

• St. Vincent ft. The NAC Orchestra

• DOMi & JD Beck

• GALACTIC ft Jelly Joseph

• Hiromi’s Sonicwonder

• Bob James

• Joe Farnsworth's Big Room Quartet

• Orrin Evans Trio

• Bobby Previte's Pocket Orchestra plays Bitches Brew

• Leenalchi

• GeminiCrab : Malika Tirolien & Caulder Nash

• ADHD

• Jermaine Holmes

• Witch Prophet

• Fawn Wood

• Brittany Davis & Black Thunder

• MA:Q

• Curtis Nowosad’s Noisy World

• Angelique Francis Band

• Nick Schofield

• Peter Hum Sextet

• Mark Ferguson Quartet

• The Robert Lee Group... and more will be announced soon!

These artists join the previously announced first wave, which featured Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, WILLOW, and Ibrahim Maalouf, to name a few. 

Ticketing Information 

Tickets for the second wave of artists go on sale Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 10 am EST. 

Festival-goers can also take advantage of the redesigned 2026 pass structure, including the Spotlight Day Pass for front-row access and the enhanced Premium Lounge (formerly the Gold Circle Tent), which offers a lounge-inspired atmosphere and an expanded artisanal cocktail menu. 

For full festival details, ticket information, and future lineup announcements, visit ottawajazzfestival.com.