Since 1985, the Ottawa Children’s Festival de la jeunesse (OCF) has hosted an annual celebration of the best in live performing arts for children. Creating programs for children, the Festival focuses on enriching school curriculum and promoting the arts as an integral part of children’s education; strives to present work that excites and challenges audiences of all ages; and prides itself on developing and producing award winning programming that comes from across Canada and around the world. Schools, community groups, caregivers and families of children of all ages are the target audience of the Festival.

For over three decades, OCF has presented a multi-day extravaganza of the finest quality theatre, dance and music for young audiences. The abundance of award-winning artists from around the globe has made wide-eyed children out of all of us.

As one of the only festivals of its kind in Ontario to offer international, live performing arts for families and young people, we know our presence in the community is valued by all – audiences, local business and media, government funders, community partners and corporate supporters.

Aside from presenting world class performance art, the Festival prides itself on offering a variety of educational workshops and activities.

The Ottawa Children’s Festival de la jeunesse (OCF) provides a completely barrier free Festival. OCF is committed to diversity, inclusion and accessibility for all. As detailed in our Accessibility Policy, the Festival policies, practices and procedures strongly promote fairness, equality and gender equity in the treatment by staff and volunteers to all who attend the Festival. Achieving this is a priority, and we strive to create a completely inclusive experience for all residents – 2SLGBTQQIA+, Ottawa’s new immigrants, people of colour, Francophones, hearing impaired, disabled, and all equity-seeking communities and marginalized groups.