Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Festival located?
The Ottawa Children’s Festival takes place at Lansdowne Park and at Arts Court.
Will there be parking?
At Lansdowne, underground parking and a limited number of metered street parking spots are available. Attendees must adhere to parking rules at the park and in the surrounding Glebe neighbourhood.
Alternatively, guests are invited to check out nearby parking lots and consider taking public transit. OC Transpo fare waived with valid Festival ticket.
Please visit this page for more information: https://www.tdplace.ca/getting-here-to-shop-and-dine/
The Arts Court building is located around several parking lots; the Rideau Centre parking lot located on Nicholas Street, Les Suites Hotel parking lot located on Daly Avenue, and Novotel Hotel parking also located on Daly Avenue.
What are the Festival hours?
The Ottawa Children’s Festival runs May 9-13, 2025, at Lansdowne Park, with acitivites available on the Great Lawn from 10am to 3pm.
Showtimes range from 10am to 6pm, depending on what you would like to see. The exception is our Opening Night on Thursday, May 9, in Tent 1 at 6pm. Tickets available here: TICKETS
Can I bring my infant?
Infants under 9 months are admitted for free. However, they must sit on a guardian’s lap.
Is there reserved seating?
No, please arrive early! First come, first seated.
When should we line up for the show?
We suggest you line up 15 minutes prior to the start of your show.
What if we are late to a show?
Latecomers will be admitted only at a suitable break in the performance. This will vary depending on the show.
Can we eat or drink during the show?
Lebreton Flats performances:
Water is permitted in the tent venues.
Canadian War Museum venues:
No food or drinks are permitted.
Arts Court Downtown Rideau venues:
Drinks are permitted, but no food.
Can we take photos or take videos during a performance?
You are not permitted to take photos or videos of any of the performances.
SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Please note that disturbances or noise, however small, can be distracting to the performers as well as other members of the audience. We ask that you remain seated, refrain from talking and be certain your cell phones have been turned off.
How do I know if a show is age appropriate for my child?
Guidelines have been developed to ensure that the material and the theatrical experience are age appropriate. You will find age recommendations on every performance page. Still wondering if you can bring your child to a certain show? Email us at contact@
Are there any hidden fees in the pricing?
HST and a processing fee are charged extra per ticket. A $17 ticket is $21.19 all included.
A family 4 pack of (4x $12 tickets = $48) is $60.98 all included.
Will tickets be available at the entrance?
Certainly, you can purchase tickets to any of our performances at the Box Office. Please check the schedule to make sure tickets are still available for the show.
How accessible are the performances?
All of our performances are fully accessible. Please review our Accessibility Policy HERE.
We also have some performances for people with special needs. Email us at contact@
Are there bike racks at the Festival?
Lansdowne Park boasts 250+ bicycle parking rings that can accommodate up to about 500 bicycles. Plus, they have a self-serve bike repair station located across from the Horticulture Building. Map.
If you plan to bike as a group, please let us know ahead of time and we will arrange for an area where your bikes can be locked. Here is a detailed map of potential bike route to take you to Lansdowne Park. Map.
Other Resources:
At Arts Court, there are several bike racks on Nicholas Street and two bike racks in front of the steps on Daly Avenue as well as bike racks at the Mackenzie King entrance of the Ottawa Art Gallery.
Can we take transit to get there?
YES! Use the OC Transpo Travel Planner to chart your journey. Bus stops are approx. 3 minutes’ walk from Bank Street to the festival located at the Great Lawn and Horticulture Building.
OC Transpo service is FREE to and from the festival for ticket holders. Show your purchased event ticket to board transit (buses or LRT) from 3 hours before and 3 hours after the event.
