ByWard Square

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A new place to gather in the heart of Ottawa

ByWard Square is a new open-air gathering space designed to bring residents, visitors, families and local businesses together in the heart of the ByWard Market District. Created as a welcoming and well-programmed public space, ByWard Square offers live music, arts and culture, family-friendly activities, rotating food and vendor pop-ups, and opportunities to experience the Market in a new way.

A space for everyone

Designed with accessibility, inclusion and community in mind, ByWard Square offers more opportunities for people to gather, explore and enjoy the ByWard Market District. The space also responds to broader public realm needs within the district, including the need for more shaded and comfortable outdoor spaces. The installation introduces additional shaded areas and seating, helping improve comfort during the warmer months while creating a more enjoyable visitor experience.

Supporting downtown revitalization

As Ottawa celebrates its 200th anniversary, continued investment in public spaces plays an important role in supporting a vibrant downtown core. ByWard Square contributes to ongoing revitalization efforts by encouraging increased use of public space, supporting local economic activity and creating a more inviting experience for residents and visitors.

ByWard Square is intended to serve as an interim enhancement to the public realm, creating a more vibrant, welcoming and people-focused downtown, while longer-term improvements and infrastructure investments for the district continue to be planned and implemented in accordance with the ByWard Market Revitalization Framework and Coordinated Redevelopment Program approved by City Council on March 11, 2026.

Music, culture and community

Programming at ByWard Square includes live music, arts and cultural activities, and family-friendly activations throughout the season. From casual visits to special events, the space is designed to encourage community participation and celebrate the creativity, diversity and energy of the ByWard Market District.

As a seasonal placemaking initiative, ByWard Square will operate through the summer and programming will conclude on September 28, 2026.

Have you visited ByWard Square? Let us know what you think!

Complete our survey below!

A new place to gather in the heart of Ottawa

ByWard Square is a new open-air gathering space designed to bring residents, visitors, families and local businesses together in the heart of the ByWard Market District. Created as a welcoming and well-programmed public space, ByWard Square offers live music, arts and culture, family-friendly activities, rotating food and vendor pop-ups, and opportunities to experience the Market in a new way.

A space for everyone

Designed with accessibility, inclusion and community in mind, ByWard Square offers more opportunities for people to gather, explore and enjoy the ByWard Market District. The space also responds to broader public realm needs within the district, including the need for more shaded and comfortable outdoor spaces. The installation introduces additional shaded areas and seating, helping improve comfort during the warmer months while creating a more enjoyable visitor experience.

Supporting downtown revitalization

As Ottawa celebrates its 200th anniversary, continued investment in public spaces plays an important role in supporting a vibrant downtown core. ByWard Square contributes to ongoing revitalization efforts by encouraging increased use of public space, supporting local economic activity and creating a more inviting experience for residents and visitors.

ByWard Square is intended to serve as an interim enhancement to the public realm, creating a more vibrant, welcoming and people-focused downtown, while longer-term improvements and infrastructure investments for the district continue to be planned and implemented in accordance with the ByWard Market Revitalization Framework and Coordinated Redevelopment Program approved by City Council on March 11, 2026.

Music, culture and community

Programming at ByWard Square includes live music, arts and cultural activities, and family-friendly activations throughout the season. From casual visits to special events, the space is designed to encourage community participation and celebrate the creativity, diversity and energy of the ByWard Market District.

As a seasonal placemaking initiative, ByWard Square will operate through the summer and programming will conclude on September 28, 2026.

Have you visited ByWard Square? Let us know what you think!

Complete our survey below!

  • Carré ByWard Square Monthly Visitor Survey

    Thank you for visiting Carré ByWard Square! Please let us know about your experience by answering a few short questions below.

    The survey consists of 8 questions, plus 9 optional questions, and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

    For accessible survey formats or communication supports (e.g., hardcopy, large font, audio, Braille, phone survey, etc.), please contact ByWardReimagined@ottawa.ca.

    This survey is anonymous, and your personal data will not be disclosed. Survey responses will remain confidential. The results of the survey will be used to evaluate the success of the project and will be reported to Ottawa City Council in 2027.

    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 24 Jul 2026, 02:54 PM