City of Ottawa - Develop Culture - October 2026

 

Applications Opening Soon for the Commemoration Working Group As the first term of the City of Ottawa Commemoration Working Group comes to a close, the City is preparing to welcome a new cohort of members and invites interested individuals to apply.  The Commemoration Working Group is a department-led advisory body that collaborates with the Recreation, Cultural and Facilities Services Department on commemorations and commemorative names on municipal land. The group brings together experts in memory studies, individuals with extensive knowledge of Ottawa’s collective histories, and people with lived experience in commemorative practice.  Members play an important role in supporting the implementation of the City’s Municipal Commemoration Policy. The group provides advice on commemorative and naming practices that are fair, equitable, and inclusive, while respecting human rights, mutual respect, truth and reconciliation, and principles of sustainable development. Through its work, the group helps ensure that Ottawa’s commemorations reflect the city’s diverse communities, and their histories, stories, and legacies.   Applications for the next membership cycle will open soon. Individuals interested in contributing their expertise and perspectives are encouraged to learn more about the opportunity.  For information on the application process and timeline, please contact Yadollah Parmoun at yadollah.parmoun@ottawa.ca.

Events

Recap Anishinabe Algonquin Days

Written by: Dylan Whiteduck

Kwey! Pìjàshig kakina!   The first-ever Anishinabe Algonquin Days were held on September 18 and 19 at Lansdowne Park. The event was developed in collaboration with the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, which designed the event format and content, and supported by the Indigenous Relations Branch, Cultural Development and Initiatives Unit, Special Events, and the Lansdowne Park (RCFS) teams, with additional support provided by the Conseil des Écoles Catholiques du Centre-Est and the Conseil des Écoles Publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario. The free event featured more than 90 Anishinabe Algonquin facilitators, vendors, artists, leaders and community members, and welcomed 1,147 registered guests, including 438 secondary school students from all four school boards and more than 170 City staff. The event was open to the public and saw additional visitors across both days.   Friday began early with a sunrise ceremony, attended by members of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation and City staff. The sacred fire was lit, and the Horticulture Building was smudged by Elder Francis Sarazin (Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation), who also smudged students, teachers and visitors who wished to participate. There were a variety of speakers across both days, including Grand Chief Verna Polson (Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council), Chief Greg Sarazin (Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation), Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg), Chief Vicky Chief (Timiskaming First Nation), Elder Fred McGregor (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg), Elder Albert Dumont (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg) and Kyrstin Dumont (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg). Both days featured drumming by Eagle River Singers, Spirit Wolf Drummers and Mokasige Drum Group.     Friday’s programming also included Ottawa’s first ever Anishinabe Algonquin musical showcase, featuring musicians and singers from across the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. The evening featured live performances by Lyle Odjick, Alicia Kayley, DJ MKWA and Makhena. Some guests were able to spend the time between the event and the concert by participating in an RCFS-led Public Art bus tour to the opening ceremony of two Anishinabe Algonquin artist designed benches featured along the Byron Linear Park.  As a proud Anishinabe Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, it was truly an honour to be part of this event and to work alongside the City of Ottawa. This event brought joy, respect and pride to our people. Events like this, grounded in a Nation-based approach, provide meaningful opportunities to learn about the territory, strengthen relationships, and deepen understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. I look forward to future events that continue to create the same sense of connection, respect and pride.  If you were unable to attend the event, please watch APTN’s coverage of the event or read Elder Albert Dumont’s reflection.

Events

Celebrating Vanier’s Francophone Heritage  As part of the Vanier Culture in Action strategy, the City is working with community and cultural partners to turn shared priorities into action.  Starting in October, the City and community are celebrating Vanier’s Francophone heritage, strengthening local cultural partnerships and creating new opportunities for residents to connect with the community’s stories with three connected initiatives highlighting an important chapter in Vanier’s Francophone history.  On October 16th, a new commemorative plaque recognizing St-Charles Church will be unveiled. The church holds a special place in the community’s history as the founding site of the Ordre de Jacques-Cartier in 1926.  That history will also be explored through Muséoparc Vanier’s temporary exhibition, L’Ordre de Jacques-Cartier : 100 ans de mystère et d’influence, opening October 29, 2026, and running until spring 2028.  The story is also taking the stage in Patenteuses, a new musical comedy from Créations In Vivo inspired by the Ordre. Through music, humour and satire, four women infiltrate the historically male-only organization, exploring questions of heritage, identity and inclusion. The City is supporting the production through a strategic cultural partnership, helping bring programming to Vanier, local schools and the broader community.  Patenteuses premieres at MIFO on October 22. Learn more about Patenteuses and upcoming performances at Créations In Vivo

New cultural places and spaces data coming to Open Ottawa  On October 19, the City will publish the next round of cultural data on Open Ottawa, featuring more than 800 cultural places and spaces across Ottawa.  Available in both English and French, the dataset brings together information about the physical places that make up Ottawa’s cultural landscape. Places are organized into broad categories such as venues, studios, heritage, community and learning spaces, with additional subcategories and tags providing more detail about each location.  This release focuses on cultural places and spaces; data on cultural organizations and groups is already available through Open Ottawa.  This is the first phase of an evolving cultural inventory, and the data will continue to be refined and expanded.  Explore Open Ottawa: https://open.ottawa.ca/

Join AHDB at the Creative Opportunities Conference The Arts and Heritage Development Branch (AHDB) team will be attending the Creative Opportunities Conference (COC) on Sunday, November 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ottawa Art Gallery, 10 Daly Avenue, Ottawa.  This event brings together artists, students, cultural workers, and community organizations from across Ottawa-Gatineau to explore opportunities in the arts and culture sector.   AHDB staff will be participating in the Creative Opportunities Info Fair, where attendees can learn about City programs, funding opportunities, and initiatives that support Ottawa's cultural community.  Whether you're an artist, student, or community member interested in arts and culture, we invite you to stop by the AHDB table, ask questions, and connect with our team.   We look forward to meeting members of Ottawa's creative community and sharing information about the work happening across the sector.  Sunday, November 8  10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Ottawa Art Gallery, 10 Daly Avenue, Ottawa  Visit the AHDB team at the Creative Opportunities Info Fair!

Upcoming Fall 2026 deadlines Grow Grant deadline: October 21, 2026  Funding for individuals and organizations that are from or support Indigenous and/or equity seeking communities.  A great category if proposing a festival or a celebratory event with artistic programming, arts workshops, arts services or capacity building opportunities.  Learn more about this program:  Program information and deadline dates - Equity and inclusion in the arts fund | City of Ottawa   Arts funding program deadline (Fall deadline): November 4, 2026   This program supports the creation, production, presentation, exhibition and dissemination of the arts for Ottawa’s local not-for-profit arts and festival sectors.    Eligible applicants can either apply for a project, annual operating funding or multi-year funding.   Learn more about this program:  Program information - Arts funding program | City of Ottawa    Creation and production fund for artists: December 2, 2026   This fund supports local artists for the creation and production of new work or the completion of works in progress.   Creation projects: Creation projects are the development and realization of new artistic work.   Production projects: Production projects are focused on the preparation and presentation of completed artistic work.    Learn more about this program:  Program information and deadline dates - Creation and production fund for artists | City of Ottawa

City of Ottawa - Accessibility Spotlight - Special Edition

 

Trick or Treat with the Mayor 2026

Join the Mayor of Ottawa at the annual Trick or Treat with the Mayor event, scheduled on Saturday, October 17 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Ottawa City Hall.     This safe and accessible Halloween event will again be in support of the Ottawa Food Bank's Baby Basics Program. The Baby Basics Program supports the most vulnerable members of our community by providing items such as formula, baby food and diapers to families in need.     The City of Ottawa is proud to partner with Treat Accessibly again this year to help make trick-or-treating accessible and inclusive for everyone. In this spirit, the event will include many features to make it more accessible, including several non-edible treats, wheelchair accessible queues and entrances, and reduced sound levels and lighting effects. Additional information is available on the event webpage at Trick or Treat with the Mayor.

City of Ottawa Recreation - Celebrating Indigenous culture

 

Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture by visiting an exhibit, a show or workshop

She Carries a Song   An intimate and powerful evening of folk music, story-telling, and spirit from three celebrated Indigenous voices on Wednesday, October 14 at Shenkman Arts Centre. Celeigh Cardinal (Cree), Mimi O’Bonsawin (Abenaki), and Lacey Hill (Oneida/Mohawk) — come together in this intimate and moving performance that weaves voice, story, and song into a shared circle of strength.

Cultivating Community: Agriculture Rooted in Ottawa’s History  Take a trip to the Barbara Ann Scott Gallery to discover the rich agricultural heritage of Ottawa through stories of resilience, innovation, and connection. Cultivating Community explores how farming has shaped—and been shaped by—both Indigenous and settler communities. From traditional practices to modern urban agriculture, this exhibit highlights the power of community in cultivating the land and a shared future. This exhibition runs until Friday, November 13, 2026. Note: Exhibition closed on September 30.

Exhibition: Decolonize This Place Decolonize This Place is currently exhibited at Shenkman Arts Centre until Friday, November 13, 2026. This exhibit brings together Indigenous artists from Kitigan Zibi and Timiskaming First Nations to explore and challenge the boundaries between what Western institutions have historically categorized as fine arts and crafts. Through a decolonial lens, the exhibition questions hierarchies that have often separated Indigenous cultural and artistic practices from dominant definitions of contemporary art. Featuring beadwork, moccasins, digital illustration, painting, sculpture, traditional tools, and other forms of artistic expression, the exhibition presents these practices alongside one another without imposing colonial distinctions of value or artistic legitimacy. Instead, the works highlight the relationships between art, culture, identity, land, knowledge, and community.   The exhibition recognizes Indigenous artistic practices as living and evolving forms of expression. Traditional knowledge and techniques exist in conversation with contemporary materials, experiences, and approaches, demonstrating cultural continuity while resisting expectations of what Indigenous art should look like. By centering the voices and practices of Indigenous artists, Decolonize This Place seeks to reclaim institutional space for Indigenous expression and resurgence. The exhibition invites audiences to reconsider established artistic categories and engage with art as a space for cultural revitalization, dialogue, self-determination, and cross-cultural understanding. Note: Exhibition closed on September 30.  Image: Jay Odjick

Beading Workshop with Stephanie Tenasco Join Algonquin beadwork artist and language advocate Stephanie Tenasco for a hands-on introduction to the art of beading on Saturday, November 14. Beyond learning a new skill, this workshop offers an opportunity to deepen participants’ understanding and appreciation of beadwork as a living Indigenous art practice, connecting creativity, culture, knowledge, and community.

City of Ottawa - Discovery Rec (September 2026)

 

Workshops for fall With a new season, comes new activities. Get ready for Thanksgiving or Halloween with Pumpkin Patch Workshops for various ages or create a special table this year for dinner with a Thanksgiving Floral Centrepiece Family Workshop at Fairfields Hertitage House on Saturday, October 10. Other workshops include: Best Friend Bracelet Workshop, Cupcake Decorating, Dinosaur Discovery, Henna Basics and more!

Save the date Winter programs will be online on Tuesday, November 3. Swimming lessons will be open for registration on Tuesday, November 17 and all other programs on Thursday, November 19, both at 9 pm.  Ottawa 200 Block Party The countdown is on for the  Ottawa 200 Block Party! Just us on Saturday, September 26 at City Hall’s Marion Dewar Plaza 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. Access to the event is free for all ages, and you can leave your car at home because transit is free citywide the entire weekend.  In addition to a special surprise headliner that will be announced closer to the big day, the lineup of local performers includes:    Cody Coyote    Mehdi Cayenne    NO DEF Collective    Jessy Lindsay    Duava    The Blind & The Beautiful   In between performances, you and the kids can enjoy the Family Zone. Play water games, get up-close-and-personal with a construction vehicle and learn a thing or two about horticulture, claymaking or woodcarving before you leave your mark on the interactive mural.

What's happening Lansdowne Park Full Moon Yoga – Saturday, September 26 Roller Skating – Tuesdays until December 29 Shenkman Arts Centre Matinée Café: Silk Road Diaries – Tuesday, October 13 and Wednesday, October 14 Nepean Museum Storytime at the Museum – Saturday, October 10, Saturday, November 14 and Saturday, December 12 Make It! – Saturday, September 26 and Saturday, October 17 Curiosity Café: Community Connections for older adults – Thursday, October 1, 8 and 15 Pinhey’s Point Historic Site Live History Performance – Saturday, September 26 and Saturday, October 3 Guided Nature Walk – Saturday, October 10

City of Ottawa - Accessibility Spotlight - September 2026

 

Reminder: Temporary Ramps for Local Businesses

The City of Ottawa’s Corporate Accessibility Office is excited to launch a pilot program that provides free temporary ramps to eligible local businesses.  The City is partnering with the StopGap Foundation to help reduce accessibility barriers at businesses with a single-step entrance. These ramps support greater inclusion by helping individuals who use mobility devices, have limited mobility, as well as those with strollers to access local businesses more easily. This not only reduces barriers for customers but also allows for increased revenue and economic opportunities for local businesses. Who can apply?  Businesses located within the City of Ottawa boundary are encouraged to review the program requirements and submit an application if they meet the eligibility criteria. Applications will be accepted throughout the year. As ramp design and construction are carried out by StopGap volunteers, ramps will be designed and constructed as soon as practicable. For more information about the program or eligibility requirements, please contact the City of Ottawa’s Corporate Accessibility Office at accessibilityoffice@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424, extension 33544.  On-demand sign language interpretation New for the 2026 Municipal Elections, video-remote sign language interpretation (VRI) will be offered on demand at all Special Advance Voting Day locations from October 1 to 4, and by request to the Elections Office during Advance and Voting Days. During Special Advance Voting Days, an iPad will be available at all voting places that can connect to remote sign language interpretation (both American Sign Language [ASL] and Langue des signes Québécoise [LSQ]). Election workers will assist electors through the voting process with the support of the VRI service. On Advance Voting Day (October 16) and Voting Day (October 26), electors who would like ASL or LSQ interpretation can contact the Elections Office at elections@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2660 to make the required arrangements for VRI.  Décoeur Drive Traffic Calming The City of Ottawa is conducting a traffic calming study on Décoeur Drive between Mer-Bleue Road and Tenth Line Road to address concerns about vehicle speeds and improve safety for all road users. Proposed measures include speed cushions, pedestrian crossing improvements, and cycling infrastructure to help create a safer and more accessible corridor. The project team is seeking community feedback on the proposed options through an online survey. We encourage people with disabilities to participate and share their experiences in the area to help inform the final design. For more information and to complete the survey, visit the project page and contact the Project Manager at nick.agro@ottawa.ca if you have any questions.  Para Transpo Talk on September 27 Join OC Transpo’s Customer Care team at Para Transpo Talk on September 27 from 10 am to 2pm at Hurdman Station!  Para Transpo Talk is a series of drop-in events that are open to all Para Transpo customers, their families, companions and support persons. Everyone is welcome, no matter how often you use Para Transpo.  This event will take place during OC Transpo’s Free Transit Weekend as part of the Transit Showcase at Hurdman Station.  Staff will be available to answer your questions and concerns about anything related to Para Transpo. Find more information about the upcoming events on the OC Transpo news page.

City of Ottawa - Cycling in the City - September 2026

 

As summer comes to an end and more people return to work and school, cycling can help you avoid increased road congestion while enjoying a reliable commute. If you're new to bike commuting, explore the Ottawa-Gatineau bike map, GeoOttawa, or route-planning apps such as Cycling Guide and Transit. You can also ask an experienced cyclist for advice or try your route on a weekend before commuting during the week.     Let’s Bike Month recap

Let’s Bike Month wrapped up at the end of June with another successful campaign. This year, 2,780 participants on 204 teams logged more than 600,000 kilometres of riding, equivalent to travelling nearly 15 times around the world. Together, participants eliminated more than 13,000 car trips and avoided approximately 77 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. More than 100 prizes were awarded thanks to the support of local sponsors. The Ottawa Hospital registered the largest team with 101 members. Most importantly, 136 participants were new to cycling this year, demonstrating the campaign’s success in encouraging more people to choose active transportation. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.   Bruce Timmermans Award winners  The City of Ottawa announced the recipients of the 2026 Bruce Timmermans Awards in June. Kate Walker received the individual award, while Békanecycles received the organizational award.    Kate Walker has been a volunteer board member of the Ottawa-based bicycle advocacy organization Vélo Canada Bikes since 2016. She has served as Chair since 2023, helping promote everyday cycling in Ottawa and across Canada. During her time with the organization, she supported three national bike summits held in Ottawa. She also helped develop policy documents leading to Canada’s first National Active Transportation Strategy and the $500 million Active Transportation Fund. She developed the annual Pedal Poll/Sondo Vélo, Canada’s national bicycle count.  Békanecycles is an Instagram blog started when Pascal René rediscovered a passion for cycling. He uses the platform to promote life on two wheels and to connect with cyclists worldwide. In recent years, Békanecycles has organized or supported several group rides, including Vélo-Friday, the Move & Groove glow ride, and an annual Father’s Day ride. Under Pascal’s leadership, the initiative has expanded to reach new communities, including immigrants, people in lower-income communities and people of colour. These efforts have created inclusive cycling events that focus on confidence-building, safety, movement and community connection. Max Keeping Bridge Record Usage!   Several of Ottawa's automatic cycling and pedestrian counters recorded unusually high activity this spring. On May 8, the counter on the Max Keeping Bridge recorded approximately 3,600 crossings, six times as many as the typical May weekday average. The increase coincided with the Ottawa Titans home opener and reflects strong use of walking, cycling and transit connections in the area.   Another location that saw a similar spike in usage during May was the Flora Footbridge. This bridge connects the neighbourhoods of Old Ottawa East and the Glebe and provides a useful route to travel towards the downtown core without riding on a busy road. On May 23, coinciding with the Great Glebe Garage Sale and Ottawa Race Weekend, over 6700 trips were recorded, twice as many trips as an average Saturday in May.      New O-Train Pathways and Signage Recent O-Train expansion work has added new cycling and pedestrian connections throughout the city. A new four-kilometre pathway segment between South Keys and Leitrim Road now provides a continuous route connecting the Sawmill Creek and Osgoode Link pathways. Cyclists can ride from downtown Ottawa to Bowesville Road and Bowesville Station (21 kilometres) or to Osgoode (37 kilometres) along this southern pathway route. New wayfinding signs have also been installed to help users navigate.   In the east end, a new pathway between the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway and Blair Station improves access to local neighbourhoods, transit stations and nearby destinations along Ogilvie Road. Both routes can be seen on GeoOttawa under the Active Transportation layer (east and south).   Lowertown Neighbourhood Bikeway Route Cyclists travelling through Lowertown can now cross King Edward Avenue at York Street using new cycling infrastructure. Changes to the intersection, combined with new bike lanes on York Street and Beausoleil Drive, create a more comfortable east-west connection through the neighbourhood and provide an alternative to busier roads.     Ottawa River Pathway Reopens  A key section of the National Capital Commission’s Ottawa River Pathway behind Parliament Hill has reopened after being closed since 2022 for escarpment stabilization work. The restored pathway improves access to downtown destinations and connects users to the new East Wharf dock, the 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument and the Rideau Canal pathway network for accessing Ottawa's downtown.      Bike Night will be back in 2026  The National Capital Commission's Bike Night returns on September 12. The free event features an 11-kilometre nighttime cycling route along Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Colonel By Drive. Riders of all ages and experience levels are welcome and can complete as many or as few loops as they choose. Participants are encouraged to wear helmets, reflective gear and bike lights. You can find more information about this free event on the BikeNight webpage.     Findlay Creek Cycling Facilities  Major infrastructure upgrades are underway in Findlay Creek, including watermain and sewer replacements and the widening of Bank Street. The project will add sidewalks and separated cycling facilities to improve safety and provide more travel options for residents. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2027.   Construction Roundup  Throughout summer, construction activities are continuing at several high-profile locations along the City's cycling network.   On Laurier Avenue West, a new protected intersection at Elgin Street and a raised westbound cycle track are being added to improve cycling safety. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.  New cycling facilities are being installed between Riverdale Avenue and Collins Avenue as part of the first phase of the Bank Street Renewal project. Most of the corridor will feature raised, separated cycle tracks. Construction is currently underway between Riverside Drive and Collins Avenue; adding bike lanes to the Billings Bridge and intersection works at Riverdale Avenue will begin later.   A new protected intersection featuring crossrides and bike signals is being installed at the intersection of Prince of Wales Drive / Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Preston Street to improve safety and continuity for cyclists travelling through the area.  Free supervised bike parking available at upcoming community events Free, supervised bike parking will be offered at several local community events this summer and fall through the City's Cycling Safety Awareness Program. The Hello Velo program provides organizers with free use of bike racks, giving residents a convenient option to bike to local events. Events were selected to cover a range of areas and audiences to help spread awareness of the Hello Velo program and encourage more people to cycle to local events.  Upcoming events with bike parking provided by the Cycling Safety Awareness Program include:  Council on Aging’s Walk of Ages, Saturday 12 September   Convent Glen Woods Community BBQ, Sunday 13 September   Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association’s Pumpkins in the Park, Saturday 17 October   Visitors at these events can make use of the free, supervised bike parking available on site, or visit the event booth to pick up free lights, bells, and other cycling safety items. If you would like to organize a bike parking area at your upcoming event, please refer to the City's Hello Velo webpage for more information.