Capital Music Week

For nine unforgettable days, Ottawa becomes one big stage. Capital Music Week (CxMW) — Ottawa’s premier music industry event — returns October 2–10, transforming iconic theatres, legendary music venues, intimate cafés, breweries, and unexpected pop-up spaces into a citywide soundtrack.

Brought to you by the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) — a bilingual, member-based non-profit building a thriving music ecosystem in the capital — CxMW is where artists, industry professionals, and music fans come together to hear, learn, connect, and create.

The Vanier BIA is proud to be a partner of this year’s edition. As stewards of one of Ottawa’s most vibrant mainstreets — and hosts of our own award-winning Akoustik series — we know what live music does for a neighbourhood.

Here are five signature events happening across the week:

🎤 CxMW Festival
A nine-day, citywide takeover with shows and showcases featuring Bif Naked, Jamie Fine, Tyler Shaw, Ya Levis, Saltina Shaker, Despised Icon, and Capital Music Award nominees performing at venues across Ottawa.
📅 October 2–10 · Various venues
🔗 See lineup & get a pass

💼 Independent Music Business Summit
A full day of panels, workshops, and one-on-one sessions with music industry pros from across the country. Built for artists, managers, agents, studio owners, and anyone leveling up their music business.
📅 Friday, October 3 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Bayview Yards
🔗 Details & tickets

🌃 Canada After Dark Nightlife Summit
Two days bringing together policymakers, nightlife professionals, cultural workers, and city leaders shaping the future of nightlife and culture. Particularly relevant for Vanier venue operators, restaurateurs, and anyone thinking about how our mainstreets come alive after dark.
📅 October 7–8 · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 National Arts Centre
🔗 Details & tickets

🏆 Capital Music Awards
Ottawa’s biggest night in music. Hosted by Tyler Shaw and Kellylee Evans, the CMAs bring 1,000+ members of the music community together for 13 awards, live performances, and a red carpet at the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall.
📅 Thursday, October 9 · 6:00 PM red carpet · 8:00 PM show
📍 National Arts Centre
🔗 Details & tickets

📸 Portraits of a Music City
A community storytelling project featuring photographic exhibits in eight cafés across Ottawa, celebrating the local musicians and stories that shape our music scene. Part of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary celebrations — and free to visit.
📅 October 2–10 · Eight café locations
🔗 Discover the locations

Vanier merchants: if you go, tag us @zacvanierbia and @cxmw.ca — we love amplifying our members showing up for the citywide music scene.