Pique returns for its 21st edition on Saturday, September 26, 2026! And, for the first time ever, this edition will be completely FREE to the public!
Expect an evening of adventurous music, immersive art, and unexpected discoveries as Arts Court comes alive with performances, installations, and creative interventions throughout the night.
We are thrilled to partner with Nuit Blanche Ottawa and Ottawa 200 for this very special edition. Thanks to the Ottawa Nightlife Office and the Downtown Rideau BIA for their support in making this possible.
RSVP now to confirm your attendance. A fresh lineup of experimental sounds, multidisciplinary performances, and late-night discoveries to be announced!
"For more than a decade, Pique has been dedicated to creating forward-thinking and artist-driven cultural experiences while building bridges between local and global underground arts scenes," said Rachel Weldon, Founder and Director of Pique and Debaser. "Making Pique free for the first time is a major milestone for our organization. Thanks to the support of the Ottawa Nightlife Office, the Downtown Rideau BIA, Nuit Blanche Ottawa, and Ottawa 200, we're able to welcome the community for a barrier-free experience to celebrate creativity, community, and this important moment in our city's history."
“In just five years, Pique has become a landmark event for Ottawa’s creative community, and its evolution is a testament to the strength and ambition of our local arts ecosystem. Its multidisciplinary and immersive approach — bringing together music, visual arts, and performance — perfectly aligns with the spirit of Nuit Blanche Ottawa, where public spaces become platforms for discovery, creativity, and connection after dark. By making this edition of Pique free and integrating it into Nuit Blanche and Ottawa 200 programming, we are creating an opportunity for even more residents and visitors to discover the talent, diversity, and innovation that define Ottawa’s cultural scene. This is exactly the kind of nighttime cultural activation that strengthens our city’s identity and contributes to a more vibrant downtown,” said Mathieu Grondin, Nightlife Commissioner for the City of Ottawa.
Since its inception, Pique has transformed downtown Ottawa’s Arts Court into a vibrant hub of artistic discovery, presenting emerging and established artists through a unique mix of music, visual art, installation, performance, and participatory experiences. As part of the Ottawa 200 celebrations, Pique #21 will continue this tradition while contributing to a city-wide celebration of arts, culture and heritage.
Additional details and the full festival lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
For updates, visit thisispique.com or follow Pique on social media.
PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
Pique is presented in partnership with Arts Court and its resident organizations –– SAW, Ottawa Art Gallery, Canadian Film Institute, Ottawa Dance Directive, Ottawa Fringe, Digital Arts Resource Centre, Artengine, Produced by Youth–– as well as Dominion City Brewing Company, WARP, Exclaim!, FEST, MUTEK, Goldblatt Partners, and is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada, City of Ottawa Nightlife Office, Ontario Creates, FACTOR, Downtown Rideau BIA and the City of Ottawa.