Indian Food Festival of Ottawa 2026

Three days of incredible food, culture, music and celebration

📍 Get Directions Full Schedule

Join 15,000+ visitors celebrating Indian cuisine, culture and community. Over 100 food vendors, 35+ live performances, a full marketplace, and a dedicated Kids Zone across three spectacular days.

🍛 100+ Food Vendors 🎵 35+ Performances 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids Zone 🛍 Full Marketplace

Why Go Schedule Food & Vendors Performances Essentials Getting There Tips FAQ

✨ Why This Festival Is Worth Your Weekend

The Indian Food Festival of Ottawa has grown into the city’s largest celebration of Indian cuisine, culture and community. With over 15,000 visitors last year, it’s become the kind of event that brings the entire region together across three spectacular days in August.

What draws people back year after year is the sheer scale and authenticity. You get 100+ food vendors representing dishes from every corner of India — street food, regional specialties, festival favourites — all in one place. Add 35+ live performances spanning classical dance, folk traditions, live music and DJ nights, plus a full marketplace of textiles, jewellery and local makers, and you’ve got a festival that rewards multiple visits and long stays.

Clarke Fields Park is stroller-friendly, has dedicated Kids Zone programming, and the whole grounds are accessible and level. Free admission, free parking, and a passport system that turns your vendor visits into a prize draw. Everything about this festival is built to be inclusive and welcoming.

📅 Festival Hours

The festival runs across three full days, with staggered opening times. Arrive early on Saturday for easier parking, or come Friday evening for a more relaxed crowd.

🍛 Food & Vendors

Over 100 food vendors bring the full spectrum of Indian cuisine. Whether you’re tasting Mumbai street food, regional curries from Punjab, South Indian dosas, Bengali sweets, or vegan Indian dishes, every vendor brings authentic flavour and tradition.

Vendor categories include:

🥘 Street Food 🍲 Regional Curries 🥙 Dosa & Chaat 🍬 Sweets & Desserts ☕ Beverages 🌱 Vegetarian & Vegan

💡 Never had Indian food before? Start with butter chicken, samosas, or a good dhal. Ask vendors for their house specialty — most are happy to recommend mild options if you prefer.

🛍 Beyond food, a full marketplace features textiles, jewellery, apparel, and products from Ottawa’s Indian-owned makers. Come hungry, leave carrying things.

🎵 Live Performances

Over 35 performances across three days — classical forms, folk traditions, live music and DJ nights. The stage programming spans centuries of Indian culture, from Bharatanatyam and Kathak classical dance to Garba, Bhangra and folk traditions, plus contemporary fusion and playback singing.

📍 Check the official festival website closer to the dates for the complete performance schedule and artist lineup.

ℹ️ Festival Essentials

🚗 Getting There & Parking

Clarke Fields Park is located in Nepean at 93 Houlahan St, just a short drive from downtown Ottawa. Multiple ways to get there, with abundant free parking on site.

By car: Free on-site parking available on a first-come basis. Arrive before 5 PM on Saturday if possible for easier parking access.

By transit: Reachable via OC Transpo. Use the trip planner on octranspo.com to find routes to Clarke Fields Park.

By bike: Bicycle parking is available at the main entrance. Rideshare: Drop-off at the main gate.

💡 Tips for Your Visit

🎫 Get your Festival Passport. It’s free, takes under a minute, and turns your vendor visits into a chance to win prizes. Collect stamps at vendors as you eat.

🥘 Come hungry and pace yourself. With 100+ vendors, you won’t taste everything in one visit. Pick 4-5 dishes per day to truly enjoy flavours without overdoing it.

☂️ Check the weather and dress accordingly. Late August in Ottawa can be warm and sunny, or rainy. Bring an umbrella just in case, and wear comfortable walking shoes.

💧 Bring a reusable water bottle. Stay hydrated in the summer heat. Refill stations are available throughout the park.

🎶 Don’t skip the performances. The live performances are free and world-class. Find a spot to watch at least one — they’re woven throughout all three days.

🛍 Browse the marketplace early. The vendor booths and product stalls have limited quantities. If you see something you want, grab it — popular items sell out by late afternoon.

❓ Common Questions