Nuit Blanche, an all-night arts event, is set to return to Ottawa next fall after a 10 year hiatus.
The event has seen success annually in other cities like Montreal and Toronto, but hasn’t been in Ottawa since 2015.
Taking place over the course of one night, art installations and technology will light up the skies and streets with projections, performances, and interactive experiences. Les Forains, the organization that has hosted Nuit Blanche in Toronto and Montreal, will also take the lead on the event in Ottawa in 2026.
Nuit Blanche is a “night where imagination spills into the streets” and is an opportunity for Ottawa to rediscover its identity, says José Bertrand, executive director of Les Forains, in a press conference this morning.
What’s beautiful about Nuit Blanche is that it’s open to everyone. It’s art without walls, music without tickets, imagination without limits.
This announcement comes after a successful summer for Ottawa tourism, says Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, with a nod to the Nightlife Commissioner Office.
“We had the busiest July ever [and] the best August ever as well, so that’s great news for our local economy and we’re going to keep that momentum going by adding more great events like Nuit Blanche in 2026,” he says.
“It’s a great addition to Ottawa’s lineup of events. Festivals and events are central to tourism as they provide potential visitors with reasons to visit, which is especially important to our proximity to the markets,” says Catherine Callary, Vice President of Destination Development at Ottawa Tourism.
Nuit Blanche, as experienced by other cities, is a celebration of culture, art, and diversity, “giving a breath of fresh air to nightlife and adding diversity to our after-hour activities, that drive further economic impacts” Callary says.
“[It is] a great spotlight for local artists and cultural institutions to showcase their work and demonstrate what makes Ottawa unique,” she says. “But it’s equally important for local residents to discover their own backyards and to find local hidden gems.”
As a sneak peak into the experience, French aerial circus Transe Express will perform their Mobile Homme show in front of the Ottawa sign on York Street next Friday, Oct. 17.
Imagine a mobile meant for children, but human-sized. That’s what you can expect next Friday — along with music and lights to accompany their parade.
The show has already toured 74 countries on five continents, and Ottawa is next!
Transe Express will perform in the ByWard Market next Friday, Oct. 17 at 8:30pm. The performance is free and open to everyone.
For more information on Nuit Blanche, watch this space!
