The 2026 Ottawa Bluesfest continues as one of the largest and longest-running outdoor music festivals, featuring some of the biggest names in Canadian music. The LeBreton Flats in the heart of the nation’s capital provided venue capacity for a massive influx of music fans from across the country. The festival stays true to its roots, supporting local artists and centring around the blues music scene, while also incorporating a wide variety of popular genres from country, rock, jazz, pop, electronic and hip-hop.
There’s something for all flavours of music lovers with the exclusive side stages, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Stage filled with all types of rock genres, including bands like Nick Earle & The Reckless Hearts who came all the way from Newfoundland, and headliners Death From Above 1979 who made a stop along the way while on tour with Billy Talent. The Spin Stage featured live sets of electronic and hip-hop music while the LeBreton Stage hosted a diverse array of genres.
Make your way over to where the food and party are and visit Casa Loca, Ottawa Blues Fest’s Mexican cantina bar, as well as Crazy Horse Stonegrill Steakhouse and saloon, which includes taking a ride on the iconic mechanical bull! Cool off with some refreshments from sponsors Coors Light, Fireball Whiskey and 13th Street Winery. Inside the Canadian War Museum building, you’ll find the poster and memorabilia gallery as well as the Barney Danson Theatre, including performances by the emerging artist showcase.
Saturday, July 17, 2026 included some of the most anticipated names and biggest ticket sales of the ten-day festival, including RBC Main Stage acts; Nayana, Angine De Pointrine, Sheryl Crow and headliner Ella Langley. The weather was perfect with a break from the summer heat and open skies with no signs of rain.
To kick things off on the main stage, Nayana, a local country artist took the stage, she brought the energy that carried throughout the whole night. The crowd showed their love for the local up and comer. This is what the festival is all about, promoting the growing talent, music scene and Canadian culture.
The latest phenomenon in Canadian music right now, Angine De Pointrine, was next who drew a crowd filled with fans dressed head to toe in their signature style of black and white polka dots experimenting with futuristic sounds and styles. These time traveling aliens rocked the stage as the Blues Fest community swarmed the main stage, providing a warm welcome. We hope the extraterrestrials enjoyed their visit to Ottawa, sampled some hot dogs at the Byward market and will be back soon to continue sharing their experimental rock rifts with us.
Country music national treasure, Sheryl Crow, needing no introduction with her decades long discography, pop culture appearances and iconic status. In recent years she has been continuing to redefine and solidify her music dynasty, being recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sheryl’s clearly well seasoned at performing on the big stage and she captivated the audience combining her classics hits with newly written material.
To close out the night on the main stage, it was Ella Langley bringing it back to a country vibe. She kept the party going with her Billboard hits Hungover, Choosin’ Texas, Never Met Anybody Like You and hits from her newly released album Dandelion. Langley has been building her brand for over a decade making her way to one of the most popular country artists currently performing. We may not be Texas or Nashville but the packed stage showed Ottawa’s country scene is strong.
