Ottawa Fringe Festival returns with 60+ shows across 10 venues
The 29th edition of Fringe launches June 18–28 with the theme 'Fringe Out Loud'—the biggest lineup in festival history.
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Ottawa Fringe Festival is returning to Arts Court for its 29th season with a record number of productions. Themed "Fringe Out Loud | Fringe à plein volume," this year's festival is bigger and louder than ever, featuring more than 60 shows across 10 venues—the most the festival has ever hosted.
Fringe is a non-curated festival where artists from around the world apply by lottery to participate. This low-barrier model welcomes performers of all experience levels—from first-timers to seasoned professionals—to present new or established work. Theatre, music, dance, comedy, and experimental art fill the lineup.
Accessibility remains central to the festival's mission. The 2025 introduction of a Francophone category ensures eight dedicated slots for French-speaking artists, helping them connect with bilingual Ottawa audiences. In 2026, a two-phase lottery system now reserves 25 per cent of slots specifically for Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour artists, deepening Fringe's commitment to equity in the performing arts.
Beyond the theatres, the Community Series transforms the SAW courtyard into a hub where audiences can discuss shows, meet performers fresh off stage, and participate in programming like the Silent Disco, Caba-roke, and the festival's first Kiki House featuring the House of Greta-Constantine. A new "Welcome to Ballroom" program brings ballroom culture to the forefront.
The festival runs June 18–28. With performances across theatre, music, and dance—and a community atmosphere built for connection—Fringe captures what makes this festival essential: bold, audacious storytelling that moves people.