The Feeling of Free

Family programming Music Theatre Workshops Summer events

Some of our best shows aren’t on the stage this summer. They are in and around the NAC, floating down the Rideau Canal or happening in our public spaces. Whatever you choose to do, it will be fun for everyone. Plus, everything is free!

Upcoming events

  1. Free In-person
     © Spirales estivales

    Dance Artists Liz Winkelaar and Geoffrey Dollar combine their creative and pedagogic minds to bring a unique, accessible, and free class series to the National Arts Centre public spaces this summer. Combining elements of Gyrokenisis®, contemporary dance, breathwork,…

  2. Free In-person
     © Miguel De Armas

    Live from the Canal Showboat is renowned Cuban pianist Miguel de Armas whose rich and sophisticated musical heritage, gleaned over many years of study, performance, and creation has brought him international acclaim. He is joined by five local…

  3. Free In-person
    Luana est assise sur un fauteuil blanc aux détails dorés et lit un livre d'histoires. Elle porte un costume de théâtre et elle semble surprise par ce qu'elle lit. © Luana

    Happening Weekly! Join us on Mondays for story time with Luana. Delight in tales that will sweep you away on journeys through magical worlds where you will meet enchanting characters. All accompanied by crafts and games.  This event occurs in French only.…

  4. Free In-person

    Experience classical and chamber music in a family-friendly environment with Chamberfest’s Bring the Kids! series. Featuring some of Chamberfest’s top musicians, Bring the Kids! concerts are tailor-made for short attention spans, little ones that need to…

  5. Free In-person

    Chamberfest’s City Series Chamberfest’s City Series brings chamber music out to our community all year long! City Series programming is in partnership with local community organizations and featuring local and regional artists, all with…

  6. Free In-person
    Trois jolies femmes qui te regarde. © Les Fireflies

    ASL will be available for the July 31 performance. Les Fireflies are comprised of three exceptionally talented, award-winning fiddlers, multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters. Samantha Robichaud, Louise Vautour and Christine Melanson have performed all over the…

  7. Free In-person
    Trois jolies femmes qui te regarde.  © Les Fireflies

    Les Fireflies are comprised of three exceptionally talented, award-winning fiddlers, multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters. Samantha Robichaud, Louise Vautour and Christine Melanson have performed all over the world in their solo careers, and have now come together…

  8. Free In-person
     © SoulRhythms

    Let your soul shine as we travel throughout Africa & The Caribbean on an exciting journey through movement & dance. From traditional to modern Afro-Caribbean folklore-based movement, the Cultural Arts Studio will lead you through an…

  9. Free In-person
     © Spirales estivales

    Dance Artists Liz Winkelaar and Geoffrey Dollar combine their creative and pedagogic minds to bring a unique, accessible, and free class series to the National Arts Centre public spaces this summer. Combining elements of Gyrokenisis®, contemporary dance, breathwork,…

  10. Free In-person
     © Curtis Perry

    Experience classical and chamber music in a family-friendly environment with Chamberfest’s Bring the Kids! series. Featuring some of Chamberfest’s top musicians, Bring the Kids! concerts are tailor-made for short attention spans, little…

  11. Free In-person
     © Toddler Tuesdays

    Arts & crafts, singing, dancing, stories, and more! Toddler Tuesdays are the perfect morning activity for caregivers and children, ages 18 months to 4 years! Join instructor Jesse Kahat in Peter Herrndorf Place for learning, exploration,…

  12. Free In-person
     © Nicole Presentey et John Kofi Dapaah au Ottawa Chamberfest.

    Join us in the NAC’s Atrium, for a mixed program about Love, Loss, and Exile, including a piece by the same name, with poetry by Afghani women composed by composer Juhi Bansal.  We don’t often think of poetry as rebellion, but…

  13. Free In-person
     © Moneka Arabic Jazz Group

    Moneka Arabic Jazz is a project reflecting the life and artistic journey of its founder, Ahmed, from Baghdad to Toronto. It showcases melodies from his homeland, Iraq, interwoven with the African groove and rhythms inherited from the Moneka Family.  Ahmed often…

  14. Free In-person
     © Moneka Arabic Jazz Group

    Moneka Arabic Jazz is a project reflecting the life and artistic journey of its founder, Ahmed, from Baghdad to Toronto. It showcases melodies from his homeland, Iraq, interwoven with the African groove and rhythms inherited from the Moneka Family.  Ahmed often…

  15. Free In-person
     © SoulRhythms

    Let your soul shine as we travel throughout Africa & The Caribbean on an exciting journey through movement & dance. From traditional to modern Afro-Caribbean folklore-based movement, the Cultural Arts Studio will lead you through an…

  16. Free In-person Video
     © Chancz Perry

    Unleash your creativity and embark on an exhilarating journey of movement and improvisation with our engaging workshop. Join renowned theatre artist Chancz Perry as he equips participants of all levels with the tools to explore the world of theatre games like never before.…

  17. Free In-person
     © Spirales estivales

    Dance Artists Liz Winkelaar and Geoffrey Dollar combine their creative and pedagogic minds to bring a unique, accessible, and free class series to the National Arts Centre public spaces this summer. Combining elements of Gyrokenisis®, contemporary dance, breathwork,…

  18. Free In-person
     © Toddler Tuesdays

    Arts & crafts, singing, dancing, stories, and more! Toddler Tuesdays are the perfect morning activity for caregivers and children, ages 18 months to 4 years! Join instructor Jesse Kahat in Peter Herrndorf Place for learning, exploration,…

  19. Free
     © Diyet & The Love Soldiers

    Diyet & The Love Soldiers is alternative country, folk, roots and traditional with catchy melodies and stories deeply rooted in Diyet’s Indigenous world view and northern life. Diyet sings in both English and Southern Tutchone (her…

  20. Free In-person
     © Diyet & The Love Soldiers

    Diyet & The Love Soldiers is alternative country, folk, roots and traditional with catchy melodies and stories deeply rooted in Diyet’s Indigenous world view and northern life. Diyet sings in both English and Southern Tutchone (her language) and plays bass…

  21. Free In-person
     © SoulRhythms

    Let your soul shine as we travel throughout Africa & The Caribbean on an exciting journey through movement & dance. From traditional to modern Afro-Caribbean folklore-based movement, the Cultural Arts Studio will lead you through an…

  22. Free In-person
     © Spirales estivales

    Dance Artists Liz Winkelaar and Geoffrey Dollar combine their creative and pedagogic minds to bring a unique, accessible, and free class series to the National Arts Centre public spaces this summer. Combining elements of Gyrokenisis®, contemporary dance, breathwork,…

  23. Free In-person
     © Toddler Tuesdays

    Arts & crafts, singing, dancing, stories, and more! Toddler Tuesdays are the perfect morning activity for caregivers and children, ages 18 months to 4 years! Join instructor Jesse Kahat in Peter Herrndorf Place for learning, exploration,…

  24. Free In-person
    2 hommes et 3 femmes se tiennent dans une pièce sombre au sol en bois. © Aviva Chernick and the Serena Quintet

    ASL will be available for the performace on August 21st. Singer and bandleader Aviva Chernick reimagines traditional Judeo-Spanish folk music with intimacy and emotional range. Aviva and her band bring this musical legacy into the present. Aviva’s soaring…

  25. Free In-person
    2 hommes et 3 femmes assis sur deux bancs de parc vous regardent droit dans les yeux. © Aviva Chernick et et le Quatuor Serena

    Singer and bandleader Aviva Chernick reimagines traditional Judeo-Spanish folk music with intimacy and emotional range. Aviva and her band bring this musical legacy into the present. Aviva’s soaring vocals in Ladino, as well as Hebrew, Yiddish and English, combine…

  26. Free In-person
     © SoulRhythms

    Let your soul shine as we travel throughout Africa & The Caribbean on an exciting journey through movement & dance. From traditional to modern Afro-Caribbean folklore-based movement, the Cultural Arts Studio will lead you through an…

  27. Free In-person
     © Spirales estivales

    Dance Artists Liz Winkelaar and Geoffrey Dollar combine their creative and pedagogic minds to bring a unique, accessible, and free class series to the National Arts Centre public spaces this summer. Combining elements of Gyrokenisis®, contemporary dance, breathwork,…

  28. Free In-person
     © Toddler Tuesdays

    Arts & crafts, singing, dancing, stories, and more! Toddler Tuesdays are the perfect morning activity for caregivers and children, ages 18 months to 4 years! Join instructor Jesse Kahat in Peter Herrndorf Place for learning, exploration,…

Past events

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