The City of Ottawa will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Bytown’s founding with a special music event presented by Ottawa Bluesfest, special programming at festivals and events, and the launch of the “downtown Arts, Culture and Entertainment District” next year. In 2026, the city will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Bytown’s founding, which was on Sept. 26, 1826. Bytown was renamed Ottawa in 1855, when it was incorporated as a city. Sheilagh Doherty, Ottawa’s director of Economic Development Services, released a memo on Thursday outlining the plans to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Bytown’s founding in 2026, followed by the 200th anniversary of the ByWard Market in 2027. The city will use the theme “Celebrate Together” for the anniversary celebrations over the next two years. “In 2026, Ottawa will proudly celebrate the cultural achievements and diverse communities that have shaped Bytown’s history,” Doherty said. “The City will work with heritage, cultural, Indigenous, Francophone, youth, and community organizations across Ottawa to support and deliver dynamic, interactive, and inclusive public events and activations that bring together shared stories and ignite civic pride. “In 2027, the ByWard Market will take centre stage and celebrate its rich cultural heritage and commercial vitality.” The 2026 programming highlights will include a signature music event delivered by Ottawa Bluesfest, outdoor youth and family-friendly events at Marion Dewar Plaza, the launch of the “downtown Arts, Culture and Entertainment District” with mural and asphalt art projects, and 200th anniversary programming and/or branding integrated with existing festivals and events. The celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the ByWard Market in 2027 will include “continued collaboration with local festivals and events’ to attract programing in the ByWard Market, activations and experiences in the market and a “Rideau Canal commemoration and farm-to-table experience.” As part of the 200th anniversary celebrations, the ByWard Market public realm plan to renew William Street is scheduled to be completed. “Events will offer a mix of free public access and ticketed experiences,” Doherty said. To fund the celebrations, $200,000 a year has been allocated through the Municipal Accommodation Tax in 2024 and 2025, along with continued funding in 2026 and 2027. More details on the events planned for the Bytown anniversary celebrations in 2026 will be released in January. 200th anniversary logos The memo also released the logo for the 200th anniversary celebrations. “The Ottawa 200 logo will anchor a visual identity program featuring city-wide pageantry, partner kits and marketing to help the whole community Celebrate Together,” Doherty said. “A comprehensive communications plan will support anniversary celebrations and include feature stories, social media, website, media events, podcast content, marketing campaigns, photography/videography, and community and Indigenous engagement and storytelling.”
