Genre-bending hip hop, ambient-glitch, contemporary installation, and the return of the Queertopia kiki ball all under one roof at Pique winter edition
Not your average holiday-season party, Pique winter edition returns to Arts Court on December 13, 2025 with a unique and eclectic program celebrating underground music, forward-thinking art and bold performance. Designed for discovery, community connection and radical self-expression, Pique brings together some of the boldest ground-breaking artists from across Canada to experiment and engage with the local artistic community.
This season, Pique features emergent innovators in the fields of pop-avant garde, ambient-electronic, contemporary installation, afro-rap, and more. They include genre-fluid electronic producer Korea Town Acid, ethereal club angel Monsieurmadam, electrifying R&B/noise artist Quinton Barnes, Afrobeats scene stealer Banggz, global south sound selector TRINIDADDY, fractal ambient brainfeeder 16:9 ratio, cyborgian new media artist Ajeebsir, anti-disciplinary installation collaborative Sabrina Ferrari & Evalyn Shields, and eclectic songwriter Sandour.
Plus, returning for a second year, Pique will host the Queertopia kiki ball presented by Legendary Mother Maldita and Yéila Siriano, welcoming legends and leaders from ballroom scenes across Canada to not only host a ball, but also mentor emerging ballroom artists through skill-building workshops presented by MAX Ottawa. Community members can sign up to walk the ball here. More information about workshops coming soon.
Graphic design by House9
Tickets to Pique are pay-what-you-can (PWYC), with sliding-scale and subsidized options available. Our PWYC ticket keeps the festival open to everyone while inviting those who can pay more to help cover the cost for others. Every contribution above the minimum goes directly toward fair artist pay, inclusive programming, and supporting independent culture in Ottawa.
Featuring performances, exhibitions and interactive presentations by 20 participating artists, Pique winter edition is not to be missed!
ACCESSIBILITY
As always, Pique is all ages and pay-what-you-can. The event site is accessible, and our detailed accessibility policy and event information are available on our accessibility page.
The EQUIPE harm reduction team will be on-site to support audience members and hand out free supplies thanks to our partners at MAX Ottawa. Pique staff and volunteers are trained in bystander intervention and harm reduction strategies to support audience members throughout the event.
LINEUP
PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
Pique is presented in partnership with the Arts Court, SAW, Ottawa Art Gallery, Canadian Film Institute, Ottawa Dance Directive, Ottawa Fringe, Digital Arts Resource Centre, Artengine, Produced by Youth, and with support from Dominion City Brewing Company, Kilam Media, Postering Ottawa, Also Cool, CKCU FM, and n.10.as, and is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada, Ontario Creates, City of Ottawa, and the SOCAN Foundation.
