Ottawa 200 Day and the Ottawa 200 Block Party

Posted by: City of Ottawa

Party like it’s 1826! On Saturday, September 26, 2026 the city will celebrate Ottawa 200.

Here’s a summary of the schedule for Ottawa’s 200th birthday party at Ottawa City Hall.

It all begins at 10 am with the opening of the Family Fun and Interactive Art Zones.  These sections of the block party will be open all day, from 10 am to 10 pm. Visitors of all ages can enjoy:

  • Interactive games
  • Art exhibits in a variety of media, such as clay, landscape, woodwork and audio 
  • Exploring a construction vehicle and a vintage OC Transpo bus
  • Learning more about Ottawa

You don’t want to miss the opening ceremonies at 10:45 am, featuring pow wow drumming and singing, jingle dancing, hoop dancing and a performance of the Ottawa 200 anthem Heart of This Place | Adàwe c’est ma ville.

From noon to 5 pm, the Performance Zone really comes alive with performances by: 

  • Izzy Rose – 12:15 pm
  • The Blind & The Beautiful – 1 pm
  • Jessy Lindsay – 2:30 pm
  • Brad Lafortune – 3:15 pm
  • Mehdi Cayenne – 3:30 pm
  • Propeller Dance – 4:25 pm

Included in the afternoon, our emcee, stand-up comedian Jonathan Dion, will lead conversations about Ottawa history and sports trivia and give away a few prizes.

Performances continue into the evening with:

  • Sunshine Glitterchild & Saltina Shaker – 5:30 pm
  • Duava – 6:45 pm
  • Cody Coyote – 7:45 pm
  • Special surprise headliner – 8:15 pm
  • NO DEF Collective Block Party & guests – 9 pm

There will be a variety of food and drinks at the Ottawa 200 Block Party.  The local menu includes offerings from The Whalesbone, Dominos, Suzy Q, No Go Coffee Co., City Seltzer, The Merry Dairy and Kîssam Patisserie, for all ages to enjoy, while adults can partake in the beer garden featuring Dominion City, Beyond the Pale, 1818 Farm & Cidery and Darkhorse Mobile Bars.

Of course, the Block Party won’t be the only reason for you to come downtown on Saturday, September 26th. You should also visit: 

Don’t be surprised if you see or hear military activity while you visit any of these events. The Canadian Armed Forces will be racing Assault Boats on the Rideau Canal all afternoon. Each of four races will begin with the firing of an artillery cannon at Parliament Hill. Big noises for a big day downtown!

You can leave the car at home because OC Transpo will be free all weekend, Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, making it easier for everyone to join the celebrations across the city. Plan your trip at octranspo.com.

However you choose to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bytown, Saturday, September 26 promises to be a memorable day that will go down in downtown Ottawa history.