Take transit to Ottawa Bluesfest and avoid traffic impacts

Ottawa Bluesfest is ready to rock at LeBreton Flats, with concerts from Thursday, July 9 to Sunday, July 12 and Wednesday, July 15 to Sunday, July 19. Residents and visitors travelling in the area can expect increased traffic and pedestrian activity throughout the festival.

Travel on OC Transpo is free for event ticketholders. Customers can travel on all buses, trains and Para Transpo up to three hours before and two hours after the event on the date their Ottawa Bluesfest pass is valid. Simply show your wristband or pass to the bus or Para Transpo operator or use the video-chat function on ticket machines at O-Train stations to request access through the fare gate. OC Transpo staff will also be present at key locations throughout the festival to provide complimentary fare gate access to customers who present a valid Ottawa Bluesfest ticket. 

Regular fares will apply on July 19 from noon to 4 pm during the afternoon of free programming for Ottawa 200. 

For service to and from the festival, customers can use Pimisi and Bayview O-Train stations. O-Train Line 1 will operate more frequently in the evenings when event attendees are returning home, and special westbound bus service will operate from Albert Street at Booth Street. O-Train service on Lines 1 and 2 will be extended to midnight on Sunday, July 12 and Sunday, July 19. 

Para Transpo customers will be picked up and dropped off on Booth Street, north of Vimy Place, next to the War Museum. 

OC Transpo bus routes 8 and 13 will be detoured to Lyon station due to road closures related to the event. Check octranspo.com/alerts for the latest detour information.

For more information or to plan your trip, visit octranspo.com or call 613-560-5000. You can also connect with OC Transpo through Facebook, X, Bluesky and Instagram.

The following closures will be in effect during the festival:

• Kichi Zībī Mīkan, between Parkdale Avenue and Booth Street
  • Friday, July 3: Reduced to one lane in each direction.
• Kichi Zībī Mīkan, between Parkdale Avenue and the Portage Bridge
  • Thursday, July 9 at 10 am to Monday, July 13 at 5 am: Closed eastbound.
  • Thursday, July 9 after 4:30 pm to Monday, July 13 at 5 am: Closed in both directions.
  • Monday, July 13 at 5 am to Wednesday, July 15 at 10 am: Reduced to one lane in each direction.
  • Wednesday, July 15 after 4:30 pm to Thursday, July 16 at 6 am: Closed in both directions.
  • Thursday, July 16 from 6 am to 10 am: Reduced to one lane in each direction.
  • Thursday, July 16 at 10 am to Monday, July 20 at 1 am: Closed eastbound.
  • Thursday, July 16 after 4:30 pm to Monday, July 20 at 1 am: Closed westbound.
  • Monday, July 20 at 1 am to Tuesday, July 21: Reduced to one lane in each direction.

During closures of Kichi Zībī Mīkan, motorists are encouraged to follow signed detour routes and use alternate roads where possible.

Local and business access will be maintained during the Portage Bridge and Booth Street closures until 9 pm.

Additionally, Albert Street may close between 10:30 pm and 11:59 pm on performance nights to help attendees safely exit the festival grounds.

Parking restrictions will be in effect on local streets throughout the festival. Please follow all posted signage. Major restrictions include:

• North and south side parking lanes on Wellington Street, between Vimy Place and Lett Street, are closed until midnight on Monday, July 20

For updates on construction and roadwork activity across Ottawa, or for information about traffic and travel planning, visit the City’s traffic map.