The Ottawa Children’s Festival is a live performing arts festival featuring theater, dance, and music performances and other programs for children aged two to fifteen. The main goal of the festival is to enrich school curriculum and promote the arts as an integral part of children’s education by presenting work that excites and challenges audiences. Its target audience includes children, their families, caregivers, schools and community groups.
The OFC takes place at LeBreton Flats Park located in a neighborhood in central Ottawa which also hosts the Ottawa Bluesfest. Currently undergoing redevelopment, it has plenty of space for outdoor festivals. The festival also uses the Canadian War Museum and the National Arts Center as venues.
The Ottawa Children’s Festival is a truly international event featuring performers from different countries. The festival has hosted performers from Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, France, Kenya, the Netherlands, Peru, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries. Of course, each edition of the festival features Canadian artists from all over the country.
The OCF is the only festival of its kind in the province of Ontario which offers such a rich and diverse program for children and their families. The festival features both up-and-coming performers and world class acts. Besides, there are many on-site activities for attendees of all ages which make the festival even more exciting.
The program of the Ottawa Children’s Festival includes a variety of exciting shows, face painting, hands-on workshops and masterclasses, the Long and McQuade Instrument Petting Zoo, Mad Hatter Tea Party, staff-led games and activities in the Activity Zone, an art tent, art exhibition, interactive activities, and more. All on-site activities are included with the show ticket.
In 2021, the event was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo: Steve Gerecke
