Ottawa's favourite street festival
Three days of fire, flight, comedy and chaos — live on Sparks Street. Free, family-friendly, unforgettable.
August 7–9, 2026 Sparks Street, Ottawa Free
The festival
For three days each summer, Sparks Street fills with fire-breathers, jugglers, aerialists, magicians and family acts — performing in the round, passing the hat, and pulling off shows you can only see live. Free. Family-friendly. Unforgettable.
Don't miss
Beyond the free daytime street shows — ticketed evening events and daily drop-in fun.
Local chalk artist Francois “Chalky” Pelletier is working the pavement all day. With a background in fine art, he recreates the old masters in chalk, right there on Sparks Street — fast, large and captivating. Watch a piece appear from nothing over the course of the day.
Maki Mai, a local airbrush and face-painting artist from Ottawa, is on site all day. A big assortment of die-cut stencils and a full range of colours make for quick, vivid artwork on the spot — it lasts a few days and scrubs off whenever you want it gone.
Don't miss a night full of laughs, high-level circus, juggling and burlesque, all hosted by gentleman juggler Mat Ricardo. Performers from the festival deliver their favourite late-night routines — Ottawa's best burlesque, hilarious comedy, incredible circus stunts and more. This show always delivers big laughs and amazed crowds. Acts from Japan, Mexico, Australia, the UK and even Ottawa!
Get tickets
Catch incredible fire acts from the festival joining forces to put on one big fire show. This show will be HOT!
Join us at World Exchange Plaza at 5 pm as we wrap up the festival with one last BIG SHOW. Catch 12+ amazing buskers from the festival performing highlight routines from their shows.
Drop into the Circus School each day from noon until 4 pm (on Sparks Street between Elgin and Metcalfe) and learn circus skills at the festival. Our talented instructors teach plate spinning, juggling, hula hoop and more. Be inspired by the shows onsite and learn something new — great for both children and their parents. Who knows, someday you might run away and join the circus…
New for Saturday, at the Elgin end of the mall: Mike Conway Magic and James Jordan Magic are trading the pitch back and forth all day. It's loosely programmed rather than timetabled — there are no set times, so wander down and catch whoever's up.
Lineup
High energy Explosive performance that will leave you breathless
Incredible Circus at street level!
Currently under construction
Award Winning Mexican Circus Performer
Uplifting Acrobatic Spectacle
Local chalk artist — the old masters, on the pavement
Taking a hula hoop street show to the next level!
Plan your day
Find exactly what you want to see — filter the full program by day, stage and act type. No app, no sign-in, works on any phone.
Filter the full program by day, stage and act type.
Before you come
The mall is car-free — take the O-Train to Lyon or Parliament and walk. Buses, cycling and downtown parking too.
Getting hereIs it free? Can I bring the dog? Where's the food, and is there first aid? The short answers, all in one place.
Read the FAQStep-free the length of the mall, accessible washrooms on site, and every show at street level.
AccessibilityIn the crowd
Not everything is on a stage. Walkabout characters, surprise sets and one-on-one street magic roam Sparks Street all weekend — unscheduled and unmissable.
See strolling windowsJoin the street
Want to be part of it? Whether you're a busker, a vendor, a volunteer or a future partner, there's a place for you on Sparks Street.
With thanks to
