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) — known in French as the Centre National des Arts (CNA) — 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, the NAC in Ottawa 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.
NAC Box Office & Tickets
The NAC box office sells tickets for all NAC events — NAC Orchestra concerts, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, Dance, and visiting tours. You can buy in person at the Elgin Street entrance, by phone at 1-844-985-ARTS (2787), or online at nac-cna.ca. Browse upcoming NAC events through the venue's discover calendar; ticket holds, exchanges, and accessibility seating requests are also handled by the NAC box.
Box office hours: Tuesday–Friday 12:30 PM–5 PM, Saturday 1 PM–7:30 PM. The box opens 90 minutes before a performance on show days.
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 ([email protected]).
Parking
The NAC has an underground parking garage accessible from the Elgin/Slater entrance (open 24/7):
- $3/half hour. After 4 PM: $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)
Information may change. If you spot anything outdated or incorrect, let us know.
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Details
Upcoming Events
confinement (2024-2025)
Fri, May 1
Free
The Great Gatsby
Tue, Sep 8
From $79.99
Beautiful Scars: By Tom Wilson and Shaun Smyth
Thu, Sep 10
$33
Powwow Life-Drawing
Tue, Sep 15
Free
Makoto Ozone Plays Rachmaninoff: and Gemma New conducts Pictures at an Exhibition
Wed, Sep 16
$33
Ottawa Jazz Orchestra: Brilliant Brubeck
Wed, Sep 16
$45
Son of a Preacherman: Written and performed by Ins Choi
Wed, Sep 16
$33
True Mountain Laurel: Haley Blais & Sam Lynch
Sat, Sep 19
$20
David Suzuki’s Playlist: With the NAC Orchestra, in association with Why Not Theatre
Tue, Sep 22
$33
Dreamcatcher Workshop: with Bougie Birch
Wed, Sep 23
$45
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