Hip-Hop, R&B music abound as Cranium Festival 2026 begins
Posted Sep 9, 2026 01:39:25 PM.
For the 7th time since the festival debuted in 2019, the Cranium Festival returns to Ottawa from Wednesday until Sunday, bringing top artists in a variety of musical genres with it.
Cranium Festival 2026 is a major musical event hosted by not-for-profit organization ‘Cranium Arts Project’ which features hip-hop, R&B, afrovibe and soul acts at a variety of theatres and performance spaces throughout Ottawa from September 9 until September 13.
The 5-day concert series includes a number of ticketed shows, as well as two free performance days on September 12 and September 13.
Festival Lineup
Cranium Festival 2026 will take place at the following venues, with the following artists taking the stage on each day.
Day 1 will take place from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. at Red Bird Live located at 1165 Bank Street. Performing artists include:
- Che_Nous
- GeeFaizel
- Capital Syndicate
- Hosted by Nico from “Zoo Legacy”
Day 2 will take place from 7:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. at Bronson Centre located at 211 Bronson Avenue. Performing artists include:
- Talib Kweli
- Jev.
- King K-LV
- Yujen
- DJ Karven
- Cheko7even
Day 3 will take place from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. at SAW located at 67 Nicholas Street. Performing artists include:
- Lindasson
- SLM
- Romeo Don’t Die
- Simora
- Avery Jane
- DJ Kam
- Hosted by Bojangles
Day 4 will feature a free outdoor show that will take place from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Ogilvy Square located at 3 Nicholas Street. Performing artists include:
- Spade
- DJ Killah Bex
- Keysha Freshh
- Mathematik
- Saynt Jaysn
- DJ Mercilless
- DJ Mel Boogie
- The Outsiders
- Talia Aoude
- Mayaspoken
- Bella Blaq
- Christophelle
- Mauvey
- DJ Prosper
- DJ Velvet
- Vladimir Jean Gillies
Day 5 will feature a free outdoor show that will take place from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Ogilvy Square located at 3 Nicholas Street.
- The Lionyls will be the sole performing artist.
More information on and tickets for the 7th Annual Cranium Festival can be found at the festival’s website. Links to each day’s ticket portal can be found via the following link.
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