Ottawa 200 Block Party unveils free, family-friendly entertainment for landmark anniversary celebration

The Ottawa’s 200 Block Party will bring together exciting voices in music, comedy, art and culture for a free celebration at Marion Dewar Plaza on Saturday, September 26

The countdown is on for the Ottawa 200 Block Party on Saturday, September 26 at Marion Dewar Plaza. Today, the City of Ottawa released the official lineup for the big day celebrating Ottawa’s 200th anniversary.

Leading the celebration will be comedian Jonathan Dion, serving as master of ceremonies for a day packed with live and cultural performances, food, art, history, games and trivia.

The party starts at 10 am and continues well past sundown. 

In addition to a special surprise headliner that will be announced closer to the big day, the lineup of local performers includes:

• 2025 Ottawa Awards Hip Hop Artist of the Year Cody Coyote
• Eclectic francophone singer-songwriter Mehdi Cayenne
• DJ-forward cultural programming from NO DEF Collective
• Franco-Ontarian pop songstress Jessy Lindsay
• Dynamic drag performance duo Sunshine Glitterchild and Saltina Shaker
• Ottawa-born pop and R&B artist Duava
• Acoustic blues/roots duo The Blind & The Beautiful

Access to the event is free.

Beyond the stage, the Ottawa 200 Block Party will feature local food and beverage vendors, interactive art installations, live demonstrations, Ottawa history experiences and a special performance of Heart of This Place (Adàwe c’est ma ville), the official Ottawa 200 anthem created with the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition.

Further details on the Block Party, including the vendor list is available at Ottawa200BlockParty.ca.

The Block Party won’t be the only reason for you to come downtown on September 26. You can also enjoy: 

• Ottawa 200 programming at the Bytown Museum
• Ottawa REDBLACKS vs Calgary Stampeders at Lansdowne Park
• The Ottawa International Animation Festival and Ottawa 200+ Culture to the Core at the Ottawa Art Gallery
• SoundScape Festival at Plaza Bridge
• Pique at Arts Court
• Nuit Blanche in the ByWard Market

Make a day of it and leave the car at home. OC Transpo will be free all weekend, Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, making it easier for everyone to join the celebrations across the city. Plan your trip at octranspo.com.

On September 26, 1826, Ottawa was founded as Bytown. Two hundred years later, we’re celebrating the people, places and stories that have shaped our city. Visit Ottawa200.ca to discover more ways to take part.

 

Quotes

“For 200 years, Ottawa has been shaped by the people who call this city home - the artists, entrepreneurs, creators, community builders, and generations of families who have helped make this city what it is today. The Ottawa 200 Block Party will be a celebration of everything that makes our city special: our stories, our cultures, our creativity and our incredible people. I hope residents from every neighbourhood in Ottawa will join us for this historic celebration and be part of a great block party.” 

Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa