OCTOBER 2-10, 2026
OCTOBER 2-10, 2026
OCTOBER 2-10, 2026
What is Capital Music Week (CxMW)?
Capital Music Week is Ottawa’s premier music industry event, a citywide takeover that showcases the soul of the capital city through live music and inspiring events.
Hear
Every city has a sonic landscape. Ottawa’s is wonderfully eclectic. CxMW is your chance to discover new local and international artists and genres – and to align the city’s local music scene. This city has a sound. Can you hear it?
LEARN
Hear from industry leaders, artists and innovators through inspiring keynotes, practical workshops and conversations designed to grow careers, spark ideas and shape the future of music.
CONNECT
Meet artists, fans, industry professionals, promoters and city builders at networking events, mixers and industry meet-ups.
CREATE
From collaborations and mentorship to bold new ideas and creative partnerships, Capital Music Week is where tomorrow’s songs, stories and opportunities begin.
GET YOUR FESTIVAL PASS
ALL-ACCESS PRO PASS
Are you part of the music industry? Experience everything Capital Music Week has to offer!
You’re serious about your music career. You want to learn, connect and get in the room. The All Access Pro Pass gives you access to CxMW industry events, networking, showcases and more. Includes:
- Includes Independent Music Business summit
- CxMW shows and showcases featuring Bif Naked, Jamie Fine, Tyler Shaw, Ya Levis, Saltina Shaker and many Capital Music Award nominees!
- Ontario Music Cities Boat Cruise
- Receive a discount on your ticket to the Capital Music Awards
Perfect for:
Music industry professionals, emerging/mid-level artists, studio owners, managers, agents, media, and anyone wanting the full Capital Music Week experience.
Super fan wristband
Love discovering live music? This option is for you!
You love live music. You love discovering new artists. And you want access. The Super Fan Wristband gets you into CxMW artist showcases and live music events all week long. Includes:
- Access to all shows & showcases featuring Bif Naked, Jamie Fine, Tyler Shaw, Ya Levis, Despised Icon, and more!
- Skip the line at FREE events
- Receive a discount on your ticket to the Capital Music Awards
Perfect for:
Music lovers who want to venue-hop and see as many performances as possible.
Independent music business summit
October 3 | Bayview Yards | 10am-5pm
You want to understand the business, build your skills and meet the people working in it. The Independent Music Business Summit brings you a full day of panels, workshops, practical insights and networking with music industry professionals from across the country. Includes:
- Access to 10+ panels, workshops, and 1-on-1 sessions with peers and pros
- NOTE: This ticket is included in the All Access Pro Pass
- FYI: Sliding scale ticketing available, contact us for details.
Perfect for:
Anyone wanting to level up their business skills in music including artists, managers, agents, studio owners, and more.
CANADA AFTER DARK
October 7-8 | National Arts Centre | 9am-5pm
You want to understand what makes cities come alive after dark, connect with nightlife leaders and help shape what comes next. Canada After Dark brings together policymakers, nightlife professionals, cultural workers and city leaders from across Canada and beyond for two days of bold ideas, practical solutions and high-quality networking. Includes:
- Two full days of panels, conversations and networking with national and international nightlife leaders
- Networking lunch on Day 1
- Access to 3 networking sessions: Canada After Dark Delegate Mixer, Ontario Music Cities Boat Cruise, & VIP Capital Music Awards Mixer
- NOTE: Canada After Dark requires a separate ticket and is not included in the All Access Pro Pass.
- FYI: Sliding scale ticketing available, contact us for details.
Perfect for:
Policymakers, planners, nightlife professionals, cultural workers, venue operators and anyone working to build more vibrant cities after dark.
CAPITAL MUSIC AWARDS
October 9 | National Arts Centre | 6 pm red carpet, 8 pm show
You want to celebrate the people and music shaping Ottawa’s sound. The Capital Music Awards bring together artists, industry professionals and music fans for the biggest night of the year for Ottawa music, with live performances, 13 awards and more than 1,000 members of the music community under one roof. Includes:
- Hosted by Ottawa’s own Tyler Shaw and Kellylee Evans
- Live performances from some of Ottawa’s most exciting artists
- 13 awards celebrating artists, creators and industry professionals
- Red carpet, awards show and a room full of Ottawa’s music community
- NOTE: Capital Music Awards tickets are sold separately from festival passes. CxMW passholders can purchase tickets for $15.
Perfect for:
Artists, music industry professionals, fans, supporters and anyone who wants to celebrate Ottawa’s music community.
Festival lineup 2026
OCTOBER 2-10
Shows & Events
OCTOBER 2-10, 2026
CAPital music week (cxmw)
For nine unforgettable days, Ottawa becomes one big stage as our soul is revealed through our sound. From iconic theatres and legendary music venues to intimate cafés, breweries and unexpected pop-up spaces, Capital Music Week is a citywide takeover that transforms Canada’s capital into a living soundtrack.
GET YOUR PASS
OCTOBER 9, 2026
CAPital music Awards
Join Ottawa at the city’s biggest night in music. The Capital Music Awards are the pinnacle of Capital Music Week—an inspiring celebration of the talent, creativity and dedication that define Ottawa’s music community, hosted in the iconic Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre.
GET YOUR Ticket
OCTOBER 3, 2026
independent music business summit
Connect with the people, conversations and collaborations shaping the future of music in Canada’s capital. Learn, ideate, grow and take your career to the next level as you rub shoulders with pro’s and peers in the music business.
GET YOUR PASS
OCTOBER 7-8, 2026
canada after dark night life summit
Canada After Dark brings together the visionaries, leaders and changemakers shaping the future of nightlife, culture and creativity across Canada, with a focus on Ottawa during Capital Music Week.
GET YOUR PASS SEE SCHEDULE
OCTOBER 2-10, 2026
portraits of a music city
See the city’s music scene through a different lens. Engage with this community storytelling project featuring photographic exhibits in eight cafés across the city. Part of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary celebrations, Portraits of a Music City features images of local musicians and the people, places and stories that shape Ottawa’s vibrant music scene.
Discover the Locationsour Partners
Capital Music Week is brought to you by the
Ottawa music industry coalition (omic)
OMIC is a bilingual, member-based non-profit working to build a thriving, inclusive and sustainable music ecosystem in Ottawa. By connecting artists, music professionals, venues, industry partners and the wider community, OMIC supports music careers, creates opportunities, advocates for the sector and strengthens Ottawa’s place as a Music City.
Capital Music Week is one of the ways OMIC brings that vision to life — creating a city-wide platform for Ottawa’s music community to connect, collaborate, celebrate and be heard.
