Capital RibFest Cancelled for 2025 Due to City Hall Construction

A long-standing summer tradition in Ottawa is taking a pause.

Organizers of Capital RibFest announced today that this year’s event has been cancelled last minute due to the replacement of interlock at Marion Dewar Plaza, the festival’s longtime home outside City Hall.

The city is set to replace the aging interlock paving stones at the plaza between mid-July and September, making the space unavailable for public events during the peak of festival season.

RibFest organizers say they were notified of the construction plans back in January but didn’t receive firm dates until much later, leaving too little time to secure a new venue.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, the city’s director of Facility Operations, Dan Brisebois, cited safety and accessibility concerns as the reason for closing the plaza to festivals during the work period.

Les Gagne, the head of RibFest, called the cancellation a major blow to downtown vibrancy.

“This kind of decision sends the wrong message,” he said. “If the city wants this to remain a festival space, then make a real commitment. Cancelling over paving stones? It’s disheartening.”

Capital RibFest has drawn thousands to City Hall every August long weekend for more than a decade, serving up barbecue and summer fun in the heart of the capital.