Events

Throughout the festival, experience a constant flow of free original theatre, music, storytelling, and more–performed by children, youth and professionals of Ottawa–all inspired by a love and concern for the …

An Italian pick-up truck, a distinctly un-cooperative live chicken and a newly-laid egg play leading roles in this enthralling and hilarious version of Little Red Riding Hood.  Highly original and …

Baobab Community will host a West African hand drum workshop! Participants will play drums and small percussion instruments, as well as learn short chants and simple body steps, through a …

Kids and kids at heart come explore the wonderful world of circus in hands-on workshops. You’ll be led by experts to learn a variety of circus art forms such as …

Countries Shaped Like Stars is the whimsical love story of Gwendolyn Magnificent and Bartholomew Spectacular as told through a tin-can telephone. With performer-operated lights, brimming water glasses, whirly winds and a …

Impromptu Playground celebrates play in urban space through architecture and design, reminding us that play is possible and permissible anywhere and at any age. The dynamic maze is a play …

Choreographer-dancer ‘Crazy Smooth’ explores street dance tradition in a modern performance setting. His work exudes a deeply rooted authenticity, a learned understanding of his medium with a daring, imaginative approach. …

Welcome, educators!

The Ottawa International Children’s Festival is committed to engaging, entertaining and stimulating the imaginations of children and youth. For over 20 years, tens of thousands of students and educators …

A collection of ladders bathed in shadow acts as the backdrop for this story of one boy’s quest to uncover his family’s darkest secret. His brothers, full of fiery and …

Watch yourself be transformed before your very eyes, and become a work of art for a day! Always a hit at the Festival, these costumed face painters will amaze you …

Let’s Talk Science is an award-winning, national, charitable organization that delivers science learning programs and services that turn children and youth on to science, keep them engaged in learning and develop their …

Assuming the characters Pansy and Sandi, two professional educators adopt the dress and demeanor of witches to engage young audiences with interactive storytelling, jokes and dancing. The pair really weave …

You’ve never experienced a petting zoo like ours. Instead of goats, rabbits, sheep and hens, the Long and McQuade Instrument Petting Zoo includes horns, trumpets, drums, keyboards and guitars. …

Exercise your creativity and join the Lumière Festival Artists in the lantern making process.  Walk away with a beautiful lantern which you can bring with you to the Evening of Light Celebration …

Make your Mark gives children and youth a chance to see professional graffiti artists at work and become artists themselves!

Participants will paint their names or initials on cardboard bricks during …

The Dairy Farmers of Canada strives to educate families about life on a farm, the dairy process and how their milk gets from farm to table. Families are able to …

The Otesha Project is a youth led charity that uses experiential learning, theatre, and beginner-friendly bicycle tours to empower Canadians to create a more equitable and sustainable future. Ideal for …

Visit our dining area for a picnic! Bring your own food or choose from a variety of snacks and meals offered by our local vendors. You can spread out a …

For nearly two decades, Step Afrika! has been dedicated to elevating stepping, a casual form of tap dancing that has long been popular at historically black colleges, from a campus …

Ottawa StoryTellers exists to promote the art of storytelling in our community, to nurture and inspire both beginning and experienced storytellers, and to provide tellers and listeners of all ages …

Maurice Sendak’s beloved story comes to life in Kim Selody’s Dora-nominated production, where the audience is immersed in Max’s make-believe world. Travel across the ocean, crash through the forest and …