Ottawa Busker Festival 2011

Flying high at last week's Busker Festival on Sparks Street. Photo courtesy of marcsworld.ca.
Fire breather. Photo by Vu Nguyen.

Ottawa's 20th annual Busker Festival (aka Buskerfest) takes place from July 28 - August 1, 2011 on the Sparks Street Mall in downtown Ottawa. There are over 40 performances daily, with entertainers from across Canada and around the world.

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Festival Schedule

This is the 20th annual edition of the Sparks Street International Busker Festival, which takes place along Ottawa's Sparks Street pedestrian mall between Elgin Street and Kent Street. Make sure you bring some loonies & toonies for the performers!

On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the buskers start performing around 11:00am, and the shows continue until 10:00pm. On Monday, the buskers start at 11:00am and wrap up at 5:30pm.
There are set performance times for certain locations, but there will also be unscheduled performances popping up along the street and in surrounding areas.
Fiesta of Flames - Friday, July 29 at 9:30pm: This will be the hottest spot in town
as fire performers light up the sky at this spectacular fire extravaganza. (On Metcalfe St. at Sparks)
Circus Central - Daily at noon: Circus Delights mystifies and entertains you with their hilar ious magic show! (Bank St. at Sparks)
Kids Corner - Sat, Sun, Mon. from 12pm to 5pm: Your children will have plenty to keep
them entertained. Lots of laughs to go around. (O’Connor St. at Sparks)
Grand Finale - Monday August 1, 2011 at 6:30pm: Performers will keep you on the
edge of your seat and laughing at the last show of the festival. (On Metcalfe St. at Sparks)
Full schedule (PDF)

This year's performers include

Bendy Em
Bike Boy
The Checkerboard Guy
The Cowguys
The Fire Guy
FlameOz
Juggle Bugs
Kate Mior
Stunt Double Circus
Thom Sellectomy (a sword swollower - get it?)
Trulee Odd Show
More info about the performers (PDF)

Road Closures

Thursday & Friday, 6pm-12am: Metcalfe Street closed between Sparks & Wellington.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 10am-12am: Metcalfe Street and O'Connor Street closed between Sparks & Wellington.

About Sparks Street Mall

Sparks Street Mall is a pedestrian street (no cars allowed!) located one block south of Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. The street spans five full city blocks (map), and is lined by restaurants, shops, museums, and more. It's also home to CBC Ottawa's tv and radio studios.

Local buskers

Related Guides

Flying high at last week's Busker Festival on Sparks Street. Photo courtesy of marcsworld.ca.
Flying high at the 2006 Busker Festival on Sparks Street. Photo courtesy of marcsworld.ca.