TOGETHER UNDER THE SUN: MARK YOUR CALENDAR WITH SUMMER SHOWS FOR EVERY BUDGET

Media Release

The National Arts Centre's summer season is here to help maximize summer 

May 29th, 2025 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The NAC welcomes locals and visitors alike to gather 'Together under the Sun' from July 4th to August 22nd, 2025, for our fourth summer programming season.  

Our 2025 summer programming offers audiences the opportunity to experience over 70 shows and events, featuring free and accessibly priced programs. Join us for an unforgettable journey as we transform our public spaces, wooden terrace, and even the Rideau canal into Canada’s stage. Linger in the setting sun as music makes the vibe, or join one of the running groups that will follow the musicians along the canal. From toddlers to grandparents, our family-friendly programming is packed with fun, energy, and great memories for all ages. Come as you are, stay for the fun! 

“I hope you'll join us and make the NAC a part of your summer. We have a full schedule of family-friendly programming in dance, theatre, and music to make your summer days and nights memorable. Discover the hidden gem on our rooftop - the wood terrace stage – and take in the music and soak up the sunsets. Our summer programming has a wealth of fresh new acts and returning favourites from across Canada and around the world.” 

- Heather Gibson, Executive Producer, Summer Programming 

SUMMER PROGRAMMING EVENTS 

Stage Series  

Experience a trip around the world with unique shows right here in downtown Ottawa at affordable prices 

The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra - Project TITAN 

Performance Time(s): Friday, July 04, 2025 (20:00)  

Canada’s oldest provincial youth orchestra is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the aim of sharing this remarkable milestone far beyond provincial borders. 

Daoirí Farrell 

Performance Time(s): Thursday, July 10, 2025 (20:00) 

Dubliner, singer and bouzouki player Daoirí (pronounced ‘Derry’) Farrell holds two prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and three nominations in the RTÉ Folk Awards. 

Murdoch Mysteries in Concert with the NAC Orchestra 

Performance Time(s):  Thursday, July 10, 2025 (20:00)  

Friday, July 11, 2025 (20:00) 

Join us for an electrifying evening that pulls back the curtain on CBC’s hit series Murdoch Mysteries—live in concert with the National Arts Centre Orchestra.  Hosted by series star Yannick Bisson, this exclusive event explores how music for the series is brought to life with award-winning composer Rob Carli. 

SARĀB 

Performance Time(s): Thursday, July 10, 2025 (20:00) 

With its unique blend of Arabic music, jazz and rock, SARĀB is one of the leading groups of the Paris music scene.  

De Mar y Río 

Performance Time(s): Friday, July 11, 2025 (20:00) 

Winners of the Petronio Álvarez 2024 Festival and global ambassadors of traditional marimba music, De Mar y Río is a group of 10 talented percussionists and singers who relay stories between generations.    

Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin  

Performance Time(s):  Saturday, July 12, 2025 (20:00) 

Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin embody and sing to the African woman of the future. The self-described educators transmit Congolese cultural heritage and traditions to international stages, by reviving centuries-old Bantu lullabies for music never before heard beyond Africa.   

Le Sacre de Lila 

Performance Time(s):  Thursday, July 17, 2025 (19:30) 

Ismaël Mouaraki explores trance with a group of male dancers in his new creation, drawing inspiration from Lila ceremonies, mystical and musical traditional celebrations from his native Morocco, through them, he also retraces his own journey in front of the audience.  

Jacquot, Symphonic Waves (Beethoven for Everyone) 

Performance Time(s): Thursday, July 17, 2025 (20:00) 

Step into a special summer concert that feels like a breath of fresh air. The NAC Orchestra, led by the brilliant French conductor Marie Jacquot, invites you to experience the magic of bold live music. 

Requiem for Radio: Full Quiet Flutter (RFR: FQF) 

Performance Time(s): Wednesday, July 23, 2025 (20:00)  

Thursday, July 24, 2025 (16:00) & (20:00)  

Friday, July 25, 2025 (16:00) & (20:00)  

Saturday, July 26, 2025 (16:00) 

Architecture, technology, history, and the human body come together in this near-supernatural conjuring of the spirits of the demolished Radio Canada International (RCI) shortwave towers. 

Ríoghnach Connolly and Honeyfeet 

Performance Time(s): Thursday, July 24, 2025 (19:30) 

Named the BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year, Ríoghnach (pronounced ree-ogh-nah) Connolly leads Honeyfeet with her eclectic taste for musical adventure.  

Léon le nul (La Pire Espèce)  

Performance Time(s): Tuesday, August 05, 2025 (16:00)  

Wednesday, August 06, 2025 (14:00)  

Thursday, August 07, 2025 (14:00)  

Friday, August 08, 2025 (14:00)  

Saturday, August 09, 2025 (11:00)  

Saturday, August 09, 2025 (14:00) 

Léon le nul follows Leon, who is bullied by the other children in the neighborhood. He decides to remedy the situation by taking drastic measures: he eats nails to become a train. A show about discovering one's inner strength, Léon le nul is driven by a high-flying physical performance. (Please note this performance is in French only.) 

Love You Wrong Time (Bad Muse Collective)  

Performance Time(s): Wednesday, August 13, 2025 (20:00)  

Thursday, August 14, 2025 (20:00)  

Friday, August 15, 2025 (15:00)  

Friday, August 15, 2025 (20:00)  

Saturday, August 16, 2025 (16:00) 

Love You Wrong Time is a hilarious, no-holds-barred song cycle featuring two friends looking for love while contending with the fetishization of Asian women. 

ElderQueers Storytelling Workshop 

Workshop Time(s): August 18 – 22, 2025 (9:30-12:30)

This storytelling workshop for elders in the 2SLGBTQI+ community is back for another season. The event offers an opportunity to gather, deepen community connections, and create stories with the support of each other and experienced stage performer and director Mary Ellen MacLean. 

The Feeling of Free   

Bring your lunch and join us in the Atrium (just inside the Elgin St entrance) to enjoy a variety of live musical performances every Tuesday and Wednesday from July 8th to August 20th at 12:15 with evening shows on the wooden terrace starting at 19:30, weather permitting. 

Hear home-grown Canadian artists (including Northern Ontario’s Les Rats d’Swompe), powerful global voices (such as the Arabic Al Qahwa), and energizing rhythms (like the Celtic Beòlach or Tamar Ilana & Ventanas) echo through the NAC’s halls or out into the night air while enjoying the iconic view of Elgin Street and the Mackenzie King Bridge. With fourteen different artists in this series, everyone is sure to find a new favourite to add to their playlist.   

Make sure to bring the whole family to experience free weekend workshops with Chancz Perry (July 26th, 10:00 a.m.) and Sherry Lee Hunter (August 16th, 10:00 a.m.) to explore your inner performer and develop skills through play.  

O’Brien Atrium 

• Collected Strands Tuesday, July 08, 2025, 12:15 

• Al Qahwa Wednesday, July 09, 2025, 12:15 

• Miguel de Armas Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 12:15 

• Les Rats d'Swompe Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 12:15 

• Chamberfest Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 12:15 

• CaneFire Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 12:15 

• Chamberfest Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 12:15 

• Beòlach Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 12:15 

• John Kofi Dapaah Tuesday, August 05, 2025, 12:15 

• Locarno Wednesday, August 06, 2025, 12:15 

• Mimi O'Bonsawin Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 12:15 

• Ventanas Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 12:15 

• Midori Marsh Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 12:15 

• Aviva Chernick Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 12:15 

Wooden Terrace 

• Al Qahwa Tuesday, July 08, 2025, 19:30 

• Al Qahwa Wednesday, July 09, 2025, 19:30 

• Les Rats d'Swompe Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 19:30 

• Les Rats d'Swompe Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 19:30 

• CaneFire Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 19:30 

• CaneFire Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 19:30 

• Beòlach Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 19:30 

• Beòlach Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 19:30 

• Locarno Tuesday, August 05, 2025, 19:30 

• Locarno Wednesday, August 06, 2025, 19:30 

• Ventanas Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 19:30 

• Ventanas Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 19:30 

• Aviva Chernick Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 19:30 

• Aviva Chernick Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 19:30 

Peter A. Herrndorf Place 

• Theater Games with Chancz Perry Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:00 

• Sherry Lee Hunter Mime Workshop Saturday, August 16, 2025, 10:00 

Throughout the NAC 

Though the NAC is best known for its outstanding productions on its stages, not to be missed is its strong collection of visual art that is presented throughout its building. Take yourself through the tour here. 

Music on the Canal 

All through July, join us Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., musicians will take to the water to share their music for everyone within hearing distance along the Rideau Canal.  The musicians set off from the NAC at Paul’s Boat Line docks on the Rideau Canal under the Rideau Street Bridge. The boat traverses the canal, arriving at Lansdowne Park approximately 45 minutes later and then returns back.  Find a comfy spot along the canal, perhaps pack a picnic, and take in the music as it passes you along the water.  

If you want more than a glimpse, the NAC is challenging runners and cyclists to keep up with the canal boat. Open up Strava (or your app of choice!) to track your time against both your friends and the showboat. This is a chance to meet up with other runners and cyclists and add some variety to your workout playlist by trying out ours. 

For the detailed schedule, please check our website. Weather permitting.    

• Miguel de Armas Thursday, July 03, 2025, 18:30 

• Painted Colours Saturday, July 5, 2025, 16:30 

• Dystoh Thursday, July 10, 2025, 18:30 

• Miguel de Armas Saturday, July 12, 2025, 16:30 

• Miguel de Armas Thursday, July 17, 2025, 18:30 

• Miguel de Armas Saturday, July 19, 2025, 16:30 

• The Lionyls Thursday, July 24, 2025, 18:30 

• Painted Colours Saturday, July 26, 2025, 16:30 

TICKETS AND INFORMATION 

Tickets are on sale now! Find the full lineup and ticket info on our website.  

ABOUT THE NAC    

The National Arts Centre is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. The NAC presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams — the NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, and Popular Music and Variety — and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. The NAC is located in the National Capital Region on the unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation.