Bluesfest to host free daytime programming to celebrate Ottawa’s 200th birthday

Crowds begin to arrive at LeBreton Flats for Ottawa Bluesfest 2025. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa Bluesfest will host an afternoon of free music and programming to celebrate Ottawa’s 200^th birthday, as part of the final night of this year’s festival at LeBreton Flats.

Organizers announced plans for a “special event recognizing the 200^th birthday of Canada’s capital,” with free programming planned for Sunday, July 19.

The free daytime lineup between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. will include performances by Natalie MacMaster & Family, Choir!Choir!Choir!, and Les Petites Tounes, along with Blues In The Schools and Be In The Band Showcases.

• This is the lineup for Ottawa Bluesfest in July

There will also be family-friendly activities at LeBreton Flats, including circus demonstrations and aerial performances by Cirquonscient, activities with Ottawa Fire Services, and museum fun with the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

The evening lineup will feature performances by The Guess Who, Connor Price, The Sheepdogs, Elisapie, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, 4KORNERS, Banggz, LeFLOFRANCO, Mely Walide, Paolo Stante Band, Rebelle, Savannah Shea, and TYR ONE.

Bluesfest will wrap up with a “spectacular drone show to punctuate an extraordinary evening to remember with family and friends,” organizers said.

Tickets for the evening lineup are on sale at a discounted price of $40, according to Bluesfest.

The Ottawa 200 celebrations are being hosted by Ottawa Bluesfest, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism.

“The Ottawa Bluesfest team is looking forward to being a part of Ottawa 200,” Mark Monahan, Ottawa Bluesfest executive and artistic director, said in a statement.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to add to the rich cultural history of our city through music, and we look forward to contributing even more by creating great memories this year and for many years to come.”

Ottawa is marking the 200^th anniversary of the founding of Bytown in 1826.

Ottawa Bluesfest runs July 9 to 19 at LeBreton Flats.

The lineup includes headliners Cody Johnson, Limp Bizkit and Cypress Hill, Hardy, The Lumineers, Conan Gray, Myles Smith, Lord Huron, Ella Langley, Sheryl Crow, Gwen Stefani and Shaggy.

For more information, visit https://ottawabluesfest.ca/.

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