Culture lives and thrives on our main streets

Press Releases | Letters

Across Ottawa, Business Improvement Areas are the organizations behind our city’s main streets, bringing community partners together to shape vibrant local destinations.

From live music and street festivals to murals and street art, public art installations, and community markets, BIAs work year-round with local artists and partners, like the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition and the Ottawa Festival Network, to animate neighbourhoods and support local talent. Together with business owners, producers, and community groups, they create spaces where culture is accessible, local, and uniquely Ottawa.

The cultural economy thrives on our main streets. When residents gather for a performance, discover a local maker, or attend a community celebration, they are experiencing the impact of 18 BIAs working behind the scenes.

Strong cultural partnerships mean vibrant streets, connected communities, and a city that celebrates its creativity right outside your door.

Learn more about BIAs

OCOBIA Congratulates Ottawa’s Newly Elected Mayor and City Council

OCOBIA Congratulates Ottawa’s Newly Elected Mayor and City Council

OCOBIA extends its sincere congratulations to Ottawa’s newly elected Mayor and City Council following yesterday’s municipal election. On behalf of Ottawa’s 18 Business Improvement Areas and the more than 7,200 businesses they represent, we look forward to building...

Ottawa’s Mainstreets Have a Stake in This Election

Ottawa’s Mainstreets Have a Stake in This Election

Ottawa heads to the polls on October 26, and the next City Council will shape the future of our mainstreets for years to come. Ottawa’s 18 Business Improvement Areas represent thousands of businesses across urban, suburban, and rural neighbourhoods. Through OCOBIA,...

Free Transit Weekend Across Ottawa — September 26 & 27

Free Transit Weekend Across Ottawa — September 26 & 27

As part of the City of Ottawa’s bicentennial celebrations, OC Transpo offered free transit across its full network on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026. The initiative made it easier than ever for residents to explore Ottawa’s mainstreets, attend...