Festivals
Ottawa Bluesfest Announce 2026 Lineup with Limp Bizkit, Gwen Stefani, The Lumineers, and More
Ottawa is loading up LeBreton Flats with a little bit of everything this summer. Ottawa Bluesfest officially unveiled its 2026 lineup, bringing together country stars, alt-rock favourites, pop icons, hip-hop acts and a few left-field bookings across nine nights from July 9 to 19.
Leading the bill this year are Limp Bizkit, Gwen Stefani, The Lumineers, Conan Gray, Lord Huron, Ella Langley, HARDY and Cody Johnson. Festival organizers had already confirmed that The Guess Who would close out the festival on July 19 as part of Ottawa’s bicentennial celebrations.
The lineup leans heavily into genre-hopping. One night you’ve got Cypress Hill and Marc Rebillet sharing the bill with Steve Earle. Another has Lucy Dacus, Royel Otis and Social Distortion all landing on the same night. It’s the kind of scheduling tailor-made for people who refuse to stay in one Spotify genre lane for more than 20 minutes.
Country fans are especially eating well this year. Alongside Johnson, Langley and HARDY, the festival booked Jessie Murph, plus country-rock staples like Sheryl Crow. On the indie side, names like Patrick Watson, Leif Vollebekk, Dope Lemon and Natasha Bedingfield help round out the lineup.
Festival executive and artistic director Mark Monahan said the goal was to keep the festival broad and accessible while continuing to bring major touring acts to the capital. Ottawa Bluesfest now draws more than a quarter-million attendees annually and generates a significant tourism boost for the city.
One of the more notable additions this year is a new multi-year partnership with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. The River Stage at the north side of the Canadian War Museum will now be renamed the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Stage, with the company branding parts of the VIP experience as well.
The festival opens July 9 with Cody Johnson headlining alongside Jessie Murph, Rev. Run and Digable Planets. July 10 brings one of the festival’s rowdier nights with Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill and Marc Rebillet topping the bill. Other standout nights include July 12 with The Lumineers and bbno$, July 15 with Conan Gray and Myles Smith, July 16 with Lord Huron and Lucy Dacus, and July 18 featuring Gwen Stefani, Mariah The Scientist and Shaggy.
A limited number of discounted nine-day passes go on sale Wednesday, followed by single-day tickets on Thursday and three-day passes on March 2. Organizers confirmed that all tickets will include OC Transpo access to and from the festival grounds.
The full festival runs July 9 to 19 at LeBreton Flats, with July 13 and 14 serving as break days between weekends. Head to the festival’s website for more information.
Click here to read our reviews of last year’s shows.
OTTAWA BLUESFEST 2026 LINEUP
Thursday, July 9
- Cody Johnson.
- Jessie Murph.
- Rev. Run.
- Digable Planets.
- GOAT.
- Lloyd Spiegel.
- The Longest Johns.
- Justin Fancy.
- Jade Hilton.
- Jermaine Holmes.
- Satellite Birdhouse.
- DJ Mace.
Friday, July 10
- Limp Bizkit.
- Cypress Hill.
- Marc Rebillet.
- Steve Earle.
- Hank Azaria and The EZ Street Band.
- Miko Marks.
- Gwenifer Raymond.
- Alicia Kayley.
- F!TH.
- My Son The Hurricane.
- SexBandit.
- DJ Mace.
Saturday, July 11
- HARDY.
- BigXthaPlug.
- Patrick Watson.
- cleopatrick.
- Luna Li.
- Mo Kenney.
- Ron Artis II.
- Aspects.
- Kat Pereira.
- Mikhail Laxton.
- Tiny Horse.
- DJ Mace.
Sunday, July 12
- The Lumineers.
- bbno$.
- Leif Vollebekk.
- Hazlett.
- DijahSB.
- Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band.
- Kelly McMichael.
- JOLY.
- Les Rats d’Swompe.
- Mehdi Cayenne.
- summersets.
- DJ Karyen.
Wednesday, July 15
- Conan Gray.
- Myles Smith.
- Natasha Bedingfield.
- Sons of Legion.
- All-Star Women’s Blues Showcase.
- Reuben and The Bullhorn Singers.
- Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears.
- Yasmin Williams.
- Nikki D &The Sisters of Thunder.
- Adam Karch.
- Mecca of Stank.
- DJ Karyen.
Thursday, July 16
- Lord Huron.
- Social Distortion.
- Lucy Dacus.
- Royel Otis.
- Dope Lemon.
- Billy Bragg.
- Thee Sinseers.
- The Pairs.
- Jamie Webster.
- Jadea Kelly.
- Koko Love.
- Nico Little and The North Americans.
- DJ Karyen.
Friday, July 17
- Ella Langley.
- Sheryl Crow.
- Death From Above 1979.
- Valerie June.
- Angine de Poitrine.
- JIMI.
- Thunder Queens.
- Nayana.
- The Jay Blues Trio.
- Emerging Artist Showcase.
- TYR ONE.
Saturday, July 18
- Gwen Stefani.
- Mariah The Scientist.
- Shaggy.
- Grace Bowers.
- Aqyila.
- Here Come The Mummies.
- The Texas Horns.
- TJ Wheeler.
- Bridge Music.
- Eadsé.
- TYR ONE.
Sunday, July 19
- The Guess Who.
- Connor Price.
- The Sheepdogs.
- Elisapie.
- Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar.
- 4KORNERS.
- Banggz.
- LeFLOFRANCO.
- Paolo Stante Band.
- Rebelle.
- Savannah Shea.
- TYR ONE.
Festivals
Osheaga 2026 Reveals Daily Schedule
The annual ritual every Osheaga fan both loves and dreads has arrived. The festival has officially unveiled its daily schedule for the 2026 edition, giving attendees their first look at who will be playing when across Parc Jean-Drapeau from July 31 to August 2.
As always, the release of set times brings excitement, anticipation, and plenty of scheduling headaches. With major headliners, breakout stars, indie favourites, and hometown talent spread across six stages, fans will once again be forced to make some difficult decisions throughout the weekend.
Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest moments and potential conflicts from each day.
Friday, July 31
Friday eases festival-goers into the weekend before building toward a stacked evening lineup led by Twenty One Pilots, The XX, and The Neighbourhood on the Bell River Stage.
The day begins with performances from Super Plage, Wunderhorse, Wet Leg, and Moses Belanger before momentum picks up in the afternoon. One of the first notable clashes arrives when Kehlani takes the Mountain Stage while Amber Mark performs on the Forest Stage and Billie Marten appears on the Valley Stage.
The evening presents some particularly difficult choices. Fans of alternative rock will have to decide between The XX and rising Japanese sensation YOASOBI, whose set overlaps with portions of the night.
Another major conflict comes later when Brutalismus 3000 and JID perform simultaneously. Those looking for a high-energy electronic experience may head toward the Coca-Cola Stage, while hip-hop fans will likely be making a run toward the Valley Stage.
The festival’s opening night closes with Twenty One Pilots on the main stage, while Geese and Amelie Lens provide compelling alternatives elsewhere across the site.
Friday Highlights
- Twenty One Pilots
- The XX
- The Neighbourhood
- Kehlani
- YOASOBI
- JID
- Amelie Lens
- Wet Leg
- Wunderhorse
- Geese
Saturday, August 1
Saturday may feature the weekend’s most relentless run of performances from top to bottom.
The day starts with sets from Baby Nova, Wolf Parade, Stella Lefty, Laura Scavo, and Fanclubwallet before quickly transitioning into a packed afternoon. Fans of indie and alternative music will have several choices throughout the day, including Villager, Kingfishr, and AJ Tracey.
One of the day’s biggest talking points will be the overlap between Little Simz, followed by Franz Ferdinand’s set. Both artists are expected to draw large crowds and appeal to different corners of the Osheaga audience.
As night falls, things only get tougher. Punk fans will likely gravitate toward Viagra Boys and Turnstile, while electronic fans may be tempted by Odd Mob and Kettama. Meanwhile, indie pop fans will be trying to squeeze in as much of Sombr as possible before heading to the main stage.
The evening culminates with Canadian pop superstar Tate McRae closing the Bell River Stage, while electronic powerhouse Empire of the Sun headlines the Forest Stage.
Saturday Highlights
- Tate McRae
- Empire of the Sun
- Turnstile
- Franz Ferdinand
- Little Simz
- Viagra Boys
- Wolf Parade
- AJ Tracey
- Sombr
- Kettama
Sunday, August 2
The festival’s final day delivers arguably the strongest collection of pop talent across the entire weekend.
Things begin with Valley, Amble, Between Friends, and Tia Wood before the afternoon ramps up with performances from Mother Mother, Paris Paloma, Billie du Page, and Of Monsters and Men.
One of the biggest scheduling dilemmas of the weekend arrives during the evening stretch. Fans hoping to catch Zara Larsson, SG Lewis, and Gunna will need to carefully plan their route through the grounds, as several of the performances overlap.
The night’s final run is packed with major draws. Lorde headlines the Bell River Stage while Major Lazer closes the Forest Stage. At the same time, electronic fans can head to Space 92’s special Popof-presented Turbo Recordings set, while alternative music fans may find themselves torn between Not For Radio, Horsegiirl, and Subtronics.
Sunday offers a fitting finale to what looks like one of Osheaga’s most diverse lineups in recent memory.
Sunday Highlights
- Lorde
- Major Lazer
- Zara Larsson
- Gunna
- SG Lewis
- Mother Mother
- Of Monsters and Men
- Paris Paloma
- Valley
- Horsegiirl
Start Planning Now
With the daily schedule now available, fans can finally begin mapping out their weekends and preparing for the inevitable conflicts that come with a lineup this deep.
Whether you’re heading to Parc Jean-Drapeau for the headliners, discovering your next favourite artist, or trying to sprint between stages to catch a little bit of everything, Osheaga 2026 is shaping up to deliver another unforgettable weekend in Montreal.
Tickets and additional festival information are available through the official Osheaga website.
Festivals
Riot Fest 2026 Brings Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, and Twenty One Pilots to Chicago
Chicago’s beloved punk and alternative festival, Riot Fest, is back with another stacked lineup for 2026. The three-day event returns to Douglass Park from September 18-20, bringing together more than 100 artists across punk, rock, indie, metal, and alternative music.
Leading this year’s lineup are Tool, Alanis Morissette, Morrissey, Twenty One Pilots, and Pierce the Veil. The festival continues its tradition of mixing legendary names with newer acts and cult favorites.
Other major artists on the bill include Patti Smith and her band, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Santigold, Pixies, Rise Against, Bad Religion, Taking Back Sunday, Social Distortion, The All-American Rejects, and Bright Eyes.
Fans of heavier and more chaotic sets will have plenty to look forward to with appearances from GWAR, Chat Pile, Melt-Banana, and Insane Clown Posse. Riot Fest is also bringing together punk history with performances from Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter and Public Image Ltd.
The festival’s deep lineup stretches far beyond the headliners, with artists such as Pennywise, Descendents, Iggy Pop, Mom Jeans, The Format, Twin Peaks, Algernon Cadwallader, This Is Lorelei, and Jejune set to perform throughout the weekend.
Last year’s edition marked Riot Fest’s 20th anniversary, featuring returning favorites such as Green Day, Blink-182, and Weezer. This year’s lineup keeps that same mix of nostalgia, chaos, and genre-spanning energy that has made Riot Fest one of North America’s most recognizable alternative festivals.
Three-day passes are on sale now, including general admission, VIP, and deluxe ticket packages. Payment plan options are available for fans looking to spread out the cost of the weekend.
More information at riotfest.org.