Ottawa 200 Day: here’s what you need to know

Updated on August 10, 2026

On September 26, 2026, Ottawa will mark a major milestone: the 200th anniversary of the city's founding. What began as Bytown along the Ottawa River has grown into a vibrant capital shaped by generations of residents, diverse communities and cultural traditions. Now, visitors are invited to be part of the celebration as Ottawa 200 Day brings together live performances, public art, community gatherings, exhibitions and unforgettable experiences across the city.

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a day trip to the capital, Ottawa 200 offers countless ways to connect with the people, places and stories that have shaped the city over the past two centuries. Here's what you won't want to miss!

What is Ottawa 200 Day?

Ottawa 200 Day marks the official bicentennial of Ottawa on September 26, 2026. The anniversary serves as the culmination of a year-long celebration featuring signature festivals, artist-led projects, exhibitions, community initiatives and cultural programming across the city.

Learn more about Ottawa 200

On Ottawa 200 Day, Ottawa's streets, museums and public spaces will come alive with free experiences that reflect the city's history and unique culture. From morning family activities to late-night arts festivals, visitors can create their own celebration while exploring the capital.

Extended hours at the Ottawa Visitor Centre

The Ottawa Visitor Centre will be open from 9 am to 8 pm on September 26, available to help visitors find their way around downtown with special Ottawa 200 maps, answer questions and make recommendations for things to do in celebration of Ottawa's 200 years! You can also contact the Ottawa Visitor Centre in advance for any questions relating to the Ottawa 200 Day celebrations.

Experience the heart of Ottawa 200 at the Ottawa 200 Block Party

At the centre of Ottawa 200 Day is the Ottawa 200 Block Party, the City of Ottawa's official bicentennial celebration at Marion Dewar Plaza.

Designed for all ages, the block party invites visitors to explore, play and create through a full day of live entertainment, hands-on activities, interactive art installations, local food and community programming. The celebration will feature the Ottawa 200 anthem, Heart of This Place | Adàwe c'est ma ville, alongside performances by local musicians, family-friendly activities, public art demonstrations and engaging experiences led by community partners from across the city.

Explore the family zone, watch artists create live murals, participate in interactive installations, test your knowledge at Ottawa-themed trivia and enjoy an evening lineup of performances that culminates in a high-energy finale with a surprise musical guest.

Whether you're travelling with kids, exploring with friends, or celebrating with family, the Ottawa 200 Block Party offers one of the most immersive ways to experience Ottawa's 200th birthday.

SoundScape Festival

Step into a one-of-a-kind celebration of music, art and innovation as SoundScape transforms the Plaza Bridge for four weeks. Enjoy three unique live performances and an immersive media installation beside the Rideau Canal. Reserve your tickets in advance.

The first special performance on August 27, 2026 features performances from musical guests Puppy Sierna, OK Naledi and Tone Cluster.

Pique returns with free admission

Produced in partnership with Nuit Blanche Ottawa and the Ottawa 200 celebrations, Pique returns for its 21st edition on September 26. For the first time in the festival's history, admission will be free, inviting visitors to experience adventurous music, immersive art and creative interventions throughout Arts Court. Make sure to arrive early and reserve your ticket in advance.

Nuit Blanche Ottawa

As day turns to night, Nuit Blanche Ottawa transforms public spaces into illuminated artistic playgrounds. Contemporary installations, light-based artworks and jaw-dropping performances will animate downtown Ottawa from dusk until dawn, creating one of the most memorable experiences of Ottawa 200 Day.

Ottawa 200 Day at the Ottawa Art Gallery

From September 24 to 27, the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) will host a series of free activities celebrating Ottawa's bicentennial. Visitors can participate in drop-in art workshops, explore a curated Mini Market featuring local creators and take part in community art-making activities throughout the weekend.

On September 26, OAG programming extends beyond the gallery walls with an art tent at the Ottawa 200 Block Party, where visitors can create their own landscape-inspired artwork. After sunset, the gallery façade becomes a canvas for Odāwā Yesterday: Odāwā Chìnàgo, an original animated work by artist and writer Jay Odjick that explores Indigenous history, presence and continuity in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

Ottawa 200+ Bytown Together at the Bytown Museum

On September 26, the Bytown Museum will present Ottawa 200+ Bytown Together, a full day of free programming that honours the people who have shaped, and continue to shape, Ottawa. Situated near the historic Rideau Canal, the museum offers visitors a chance to connect with the city's origins while participating in bicentennial celebrations.

Gauge: A City Measured in Time

One of the most distinctive Ottawa 200 projects is Gauge: A City Measured in Time, a large-scale textile installation created by Greta Grip and Lee Jones. The exhibition transforms data about Ottawa's past, present and future into a living knitted artwork. Through themes such as population growth, timber exports and community narratives, visitors can experience Ottawa's history through an innovative artistic lens at the Bytown Museum.

What's in a Frame? 200+ Years of Community Portraits

Running from 2026 to 2028, this exhibition at the Bytown Museum explores local stories of resilience, diversity and community through portraiture. Together, these exhibitions offer visitors a deeper understanding of the individuals and experiences that have shaped Ottawa from its earliest days to the present.

Make It an Ottawa 200 Weekend

Ottawa 200 Day promises to be one of the most significant moments in the city's history, bringing together residents and visitors in a shared celebration of community, culture, creativity and connection.

While September 26 is the official anniversary date, the celebrations extend throughout the surrounding week and beyond.

Visitors can pair Ottawa 200 Day with experiences such as the Ottawa International Animation Festival, O-Town Animated, Daniel Lanois at Bronson Centre, public art installations, museum exhibitions and special bicentennial programming taking place throughout the city. Start planning your Ottawa 200 weekend now and be part of a once-in-a-generation celebration as the capital marks 200 years.