Ottawa’s 200th anniversary to be celebrated with a special day at Bluesfest

Ottawa Bluesfest will be part of the celebrations marking Ottawa’s 200th anniversary in 2026. To make sure residents and visitors are celebrating in style next summer, Ottawa Bluesfest will deliver a special day of programming on Sunday, July 19. The day will feature a full program of music, memories and civic pride.

The day will be topped off with a performance by iconic Canadian rockers, The Guess Who.

The City, together with its partners, Ottawa Tourism and Ottawa Bluesfest, encourages residents and visitors to stay tuned for more details about the big day and other announcements celebrating Ottawa 200: the 200th anniversary of Bytown.

Annual civic events will embrace the Ottawa 200th – Celebrate Together theme throughout this milestone year, reflecting Ottawa’s progress, creativity and diversity. Plans will include innovative programming and collaborations with heritage, cultural, Indigenous and community organizations. More details will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, visit ottawa.ca.

Some of these plans are included in Ottawa’s 2026 Budget, which will be tabled at the Council meeting of Wednesday, November 12. The 2026 Budget is scheduled for final approval by Council on Wednesday, December 10.

Quotes

“Ottawa 200 will be an incredible celebration for our city. It’s a chance to honour our history, showcase our creativity, and bring residents and visitors together in a way only Ottawa can. The Ottawa 200 day at Bluesfest next July will be a great moment for our community to enjoy some amazing music from an iconic band. It’s going to be a fantastic year for our city. I want to thank Ottawa Bluesfest for being such a big part of it.”

Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa

“This announcement sets the tone for an extraordinary year ahead as Ottawa celebrates its bicentennial. Welcoming The Guess Who to Bluesfest is more than a concert - it’s a cultural milestone interwoven with additional performances and festivities that launches a year of signature experiences. We’re proud to collaborate with our partners to ensure these celebrations are inclusive and accessible, these eyes turned to affordability will be sure to invite both residents and visitors alike to be part of Ottawa’s 200-year story.”

Michael Crockatt, President and CEO, Ottawa Tourism

“We're extremely excited to be a partner in this celebration and look forward to programming a great day of music on Sunday, July 19, 2026.”

Mark Monahan, Executive Director, Bluesfest