The award-winning Akoustik music series will be back in Ottawa this summer, featuring stripped-down vocals and music from emerging artists.
The concerts are offered free of charge and feature a variety of genres ranging from folk to hip-hop. The series will kick off on July 15 with a double header by Afro-Indigenous singer-songwriter AIYANA and African fusion music group OK Naledi, aiming to get the audience up and dancing. There will be 21 artists featured over 10 weeks, including Jeff & the Falcons, The Vanier Playboys, and the Angelique Francis Band.
Akoustic will conclude in September with performances by Franco-Ontarian folk-rock artist JOLY and Ottawa’s own folk group Moonfruits. It is hosted by the Vanier BIA with the goal of encouraging people to visit the area and purchase food for the show. The concert series will also partner with local businesses to offer discounts at Vanier eateries like Schoolhouse Pizza, Edinburger, and Sachi’s Cafe for concertgoers.
Tables and chairs will be provided for guests, but attendees can also bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on the grass. There will also be a licensed bar on-site providing beer and wine. Outdoor concerts like these are popular summer events, often reaching out to music lovers using flyer printing and radio advertising.
The 2026 Akoustik concert series will run every Wednesday from July 15 to September 23 at St. Charles Market in the Vanier neighbourhood of Ottawa.
