Ottawa 
Events Description
Bif Naked, Tyler Shaw and Jamie Fine Lead Nine-Day Capital Music Week in Ottawa
More than 100 artists across 25 venues will take over Ottawa this fall as Capital Music Week (CxMW) returns for its second year October 2–10, headlined by JUNO Award-nominated artists Bif Naked and Tyler Shaw, with multi-platinum Ottawa artist Jamie Fine serving as 2026 Ambassador.
From Southam Hall and major concert venues to neighbourhood cafés, public spaces and unexpected corners of the city, CxMW will bring nine days of live music, showcases, industry events and cultural programming to Ottawa.
Bif Naked will open Capital Music Week on October 2, performing her new dance single Hey Little Frankie as part of a DJ and drag show hosted by Jamie Fine and featuring Canada’s Drag Race alum Saltina Shaker. The following day, Bif returns for a second, more intimate appearance, hosting and performing at a Women in Music song circle alongside Kellylee Evans and Capital Music Awards nominees.
“Ottawa has an incredible music community, but for too long we’ve been telling our story in pieces,” says OMIC Executive Director Melanie Brulée. “Capital Music Week brings it together. It’s about putting artists in the spotlight, connecting them with new audiences and industry, and inviting people to experience Ottawa through its music. We want to build a city where artists can build careers, audiences can discover something new, and music is part of how Ottawa sees itself and how the rest of the country sees us.”
Across the nine days, CxMW will feature performances by Bif Naked, Tyler Shaw, Logan Staats, Ya Levis, Amanda Rheaume, and Pierre Kwenders, alongside dozens of artists from Ottawa and beyond. Programming ranges from concerts and showcases to music documentaries, photography exhibitions across multiple cafés, workshops, panels, and an Ontario Music Cities Boat Cruise.
The 7th annual Capital Music Awards, presented by the National Arts Centre, will take place Friday, October 9 at Southam Hall. Co-hosted by Tyler Shaw and Kellylee Evans, the awards will recognize a record 58 nominees across 13 categories and feature six diverse live performances, including Ottawa 200’s official anthem, written and performed by Jessica Pearson, Yao and Amanda Rheaume.
CxMW also brings artists and music professionals together through two conferences. The Independent Music Business Summit offers a full day of panels, workshops and networking focused on building sustainable careers and businesses in music.
Canada After Dark, Canada’s national summit on nightlife and the nighttime economy, returns October 7–8 at the National Arts Centre. Co-presented with the City of Ottawa’s Nightlife Office, the summit brings together Canadian and international leaders to explore the economic, cultural and social potential of cities after dark.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe will once again officially proclaim Capital Music Week, recognizing the growing role of music in the city’s cultural identity and economy.
Presented in partnership with Godzspeed under the theme “Our Soul Is Our Sound,” Capital Music Week celebrates the artists, venues and communities shaping Ottawa’s sound while creating new opportunities for audiences to discover them.
Who is it for?
All ages
HOW MUCH
Tickets : FREE – $147.50
Free and ticketed events. Details available at www.capitalmusicweek.com
How to get tickets?
WHEN & WHERE
Date:
Friday, October 2 2026 – Saturday, October 10 2026
Venue & Address
All Around The National Capital Region, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON, K1P 5W1
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation varies by location
