National Arts Centre
Canada's bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts, featuring four performance venues, the NAC Orchestra, and the 1 Elgin restaurant with Rideau Canal views. A National Historic Site with Brutalist architecture and a striking 2017 glass addition by Diamond Schmitt Architects.
Features
About the National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre (NAC) is Canada's foremost performing arts centre, located on Confederation Square between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal. Opened on May 31, 1969, and designated a National Historic Site in 2006, it hosts theatre, dance, music, and variety programming in English, French, and Indigenous languages.
The building was designed by architect Fred Lebensold in the Brutalist style — poured reinforced concrete with Laurentian granite aggregate, featuring a distinctive hexagonal motif. A $225-million rejuvenation by Diamond Schmitt Architects, completed in 2017, added three glass-walled public wings including the iconic Kipnes Lantern — a three-storey hexagonal glass tower featuring the largest transparent LED screen in North America.
Performance Venues
| Venue | Seats | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Southam Hall | 2,065 | Largest venue — NAC Orchestra, Broadway tours, popular music |
| Babs Asper Theatre | 897 | English, French, and Indigenous Theatre; Dance |
| Azrieli Studio | ~300 | Configurable black box space for intimate performances |
| Fourth Stage | 152 | Most intimate venue, no reserved seating |
NAC Orchestra
The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) is one of Canada's leading orchestras. John Storgards is the incoming Music Director.
Dining
1 Elgin is the NAC's restaurant, offering Canadian contemporary cuisine with local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant overlooks the Rideau Canal and features a seasonal patio. Pre-theatre dining is popular — reservations strongly encouraged (1Elgin@nac-cna.ca).
Parking
The NAC has an underground parking garage accessible from the Elgin/Slater entrance (open 24/7):
- **12 max. Weekends: $12 max
- EV charging available on Level 3
- Clearance: 6'4" (193 cm)
Getting There
- By O-Train: Rideau Station (~550m, 7-min walk) or Parliament Station (~650m, 8-min walk) on Line 1
- By Bus: Multiple OC Transpo routes on Elgin, Slater, and Albert streets
- By Car: Underground parking via Elgin/Slater entrance
- By Bike: On the Rideau Canal multi-use pathway (Capital Pathway)
- Box Office Phone: 1-844-985-ARTS (2787)
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Contact Us →Information may change. Please verify details on the official website before visiting.