Ottawa’s National Arts Centre presents the 8th edition of BIG BANG, a family friendly festival, on February 14 and 15. BIG BANG offers two days of fun, imaginative playtime, and musical adventures for parents and kids alike.
Activities that explore sound and transcend language are designed for children between the ages of five and 12, along with their grown-ups.
“The BIG BANG invites kids to take over the NAC and fill it with contagious joy. It’s a space for exploration, freedom, musical discoveries and surprises, a space where everyone is welcome, regardless of age or language. It’s a big party that brings us all together!” comments Amélie Bergeron, Curator for BIG BANG Festival Ottawa, in a statement.
BIG BANG Festivals take place across Canada in various locations/times.
BIG BANG 2026: The Line-Up
Ticketed Events
Families will find accessible prices with ticketed events ranging from $7-$15.
Music Rooms
With a casual atmosphere, artists will perform in unusual settings within the National Arts Centre to small audiences. A returning BIG BANG favourite. You’ll be able to explore music and sound in a variety of ways in the Music Rooms, including:
- Mamadou Koïta — vibrant West African music with the Montreal-based artist Mamadou Koïta, known for his high energy shows. Info here.
- The Sounds of Nothing — with microphones, effects, and your imagination, explore the secret sounds of everyday items. Info here.
- Roots and Bassoonist — a conversation between a bassoon and a root-like string puppet with bassoonist Yana Ouellet and puppetry artist Laurence Petitpas. Info here.
- Drones and Tones — Keyboard melodies and percussion combine for an inventive sound experience, with Jesse Stewart and Joël Dazé. Info here.
Polky
- Upbeat harmonies, unusual instruments, and a lively atmosphere come together in this fiddle-driven performance. Info here.
Platypus Theatre’s Music Under a Midnight Moon
- Two tired wanderers come across what looks like a forgotten junkyard at first glance. But, from a pile of junk, the discarded odds and ends are transformed into music by a pluck, a tap, and a shake. Everyday objects take on a life of their own. Huge images projected on the NACOtron screen capture the fun. Info here.
Thelonious
- A little chaos, a lot of fun, as three very talented musicians bring the music of the legendary African-American jazz pianist and composer to life, accompanied by video animations. Info here.
Free Events
Nomad
- Sound and drawing combine for a rich experience in a recurring artistic project that takes place at Big Bang Festivals across the globe. Benoit Fortier and Gabrielle Bouthillier of E27 musiques nouvelles invite a group of local grade 5 and 6 students from the Foul’Arts program at École élémentaire catholique Jean-Robert-Gauthier to discover how drawing can inspire the creation of sounds. Info here.
Brass Taxx (Fanfare)
- Get ready for a BIG BANG brass party that will have young and old vibing to funk and soul beats. Info here.
Rope Launcher
- This mechanical device, created by Théâtre Rude Ingénierie, brings a long loop of rope to life. It will shoot through the air — just as if it was breathing on its own. The device is guided by music and ambient sounds as it loops, retracts, and unfolds, creating unexpected movements in the air. Info here.
Space Palette
- This multi-sensory experience begins when you step into a magical dome and enter a magical space. It’s an immersive experience that invites everyone to play via sound, light, and touch. Info here.
Musical Hopscotch
- This is a mashup of playground hopscotch and the dance floor, where you’ll be able to jump, move, and play along with urban dancer and architect Tangent and DJ Rise Ashen. The duo are known for hosting the Capital Sessions community dance work shops at NAC. Info here.
Craft it up at the festival!
Here are a few stops you can make between various shows:
- The barber chair — where you can get a shiny star tattoo.
- The craft station — where you can create an awesome crown to wear, or colour in strange creatures.
- The selfie wall — you can show off your tattoo, crown, and anything else you like by taking a photo at
the selfie wall. - PLUS — even more surprises….
Find the full schedule and details for BIG BANG [HERE].
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