Details announced for Ottawa’s 200th anniversary celebration
Posted Jul 28, 2026 07:59:27 AM.
Last Updated Jul 28, 2026 07:59:33 AM.
City of Ottawa has released its list of artists and activities for the city’s 200th anniversary celebration at Marion Dewar Plaza in front of City Hall on September 26, 2026.
The city published a full release late Monday with the details for the “Ottawa 200 Block Party”, which will begin at 10:00 a.m. and last “well past sundown”. They say the event will be free to attend, and as of now, no tickets appear to be required for entry.
The master of ceremonies for the long-awaited anniversary event will be comedian Jonathan Dion. Dion will join a number of other local performers and acts attending the event, including:
– 2025 Ottawa Awards Hip Hop Artist of the Year Cody Coyote
– Eclectic francophone singer-songwriter Mehdi Cayenne
– DJ-forward cultural programming from NO DEF Collective
– Franco-Ontarian pop songstress Jessy Lindsay
– Dynamic drag performance duo Sunshine Glitterchild and Saltina Shaker
– Ottawa-born pop and R&B artist Duava
– Acoustic blues/roots duo The Blind & The Beautiful
Organizers say the Ottawa 200 Block Party will host a variety of local food and beverage vendors, interactive art installations, live demonstrations, and a variety of experiences focused on Ottawa’s history. They also say to expect a “special performance” of “Heart of This Place (Adàwe c’est ma ville)”, the official Ottawa 200 anthem created with the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition.
Official poster for “Ottawa 200 Block Party” / Courtesy of City of Ottawa
Mayor of Ottawa Mark Sutcliffe said of the event:
“For 200 years, Ottawa has been shaped by the people who call this city home – the artists, entrepreneurs, creators, community builders, and generations of families who have helped make this city what it is today. The Ottawa 200 Block Party will be a celebration of everything that makes our city special: our stories, our cultures, our creativity and our incredible people. I hope residents from every neighbourhood in Ottawa will join us for this historic celebration and be part of a great block party.”
In an effort to reduce traffic congestion, OC Transpo has announced public transit will be free across the entire weekend on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27. You can find more details about the free weekend service on OC Transpo’s website.
Learn more about the Ottawa 200 Block Party or see a full list of vendors at Ottawa200BlockParty.ca.
Historical Background
The city of Ottawa originated in 1826 as “Bytown”, and was originally a settlement for British officers and engineers who were part of the “British Board of Ordnance”. They had been tasked with building canals to provide passage for military ships and supplies, particularly between Kingston and Montreal. Those in charge of the project advertised free housing and accommodations to those who would aid in the building of the canals, leading to the expansion of Bytown into a larger populated collective. The project eventually became what is known today as the Rideau Canal, and the land was parcelled off a year later in 1827. The now developing town alongside the Rideau Canal and the shipping access it provided eventually became the city we know today as Ottawa, ON.
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