The Guess Who will take the stage at Ottawa Bluesfest next summer as part of a special night celebrating the 200th anniversary of Bytown. Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Tourism and the City of Ottawa announced plans for a special day of programming on Sunday, July 19 as part of the celebrations to mark Bytown’s 200th anniversary in 2026. “The day will feature a full program of music, memories and civic pride,” the city said in a statement. “The day will be topped off with a performance by iconic Canadian rockers, The Guess Who.” The band recently announced a celebratory Canadian tour for 2026, with Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman touring together as the Guess Who for the first time in 23 years. The Guess Who tour will include stops in Moncton, Halifax, Laval, Toronto, Hamilton, London, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. “Welcoming The Guess Who to Bluesfest is more than a concert - it’s a cultural milestone interwoven with additional performances and festivities that launches a year of signature experiences,” Michael Crockatt, president and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, said in a statement. “We’re proud to collaborate with our partners to ensure these celebrations are inclusive and accessible, these eyes turned to affordability will be sure to invite both residents and visitors alike to be part of Ottawa’s 200-year story.” More details on Ottawa 200th – Celebrate Together celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Bytown will be announced in the coming weeks. 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.
