I recently visited the National Arts Centre (NAC). It wasn't to take in any performance at this venue. I was downtown for Canada Day. I wanted a place to park. Its parkade was where my car was for a few hours. My original plan was to park at CF Rideau Centre and walk over to where the festivities were. I did it four years ago and it worked out nicely. Afterwards, I'd simply walk around the mall. However, I was curious to check this parking lot out. It's a part of NAC that I was not familiar with. The parkade is a 24-hour one. If you enter it before 4 pm, it's $3 for each half hour, to a maximum of $20. That's actually not bad if you consider that it would be an arm and a leg in other Canadian cities. It's automated. You do get a parking attendant when there's a performance or some activity happening at NAC. I don't know how all that works. I just know that for this national holiday, the parking attendant got a break. I inserted my credit card to enter the parkade. I used to same one leaving. It was pretty straightforward. I parked on level P1. I took the stairs to get to street level. It was perfect. I have only seen one concert at NAC. It was years ago when I lived in Winnipeg and travelled to Ottawa for vacation. It was a meaningful concert that holds a lot of fond memories. I saw my first Jann Arden concert here. Back then, I bought a ticket over the phone. The box office was a block away from my hotel on Slater Street. I walked over to fetch my ticket. On the night of the concert, I walked over to the NAC. It was November. There was snow on the ground. It was pretty, but a bit nippy. The female usher was so great showing me where my seat was. My seat was the last row of the orchestra section, the first seat on the left by the aisle. I was extremely happy. This concert set up countless Jann Arden concerts that I have attended all over the place. She is a wonderful performer and singer. Opening up for Jann Arden back then was Melanie Doane. This show alone sparked me to also see Melanie whenever she was playing over the years. What is cool is that when Jann recent played a couple of shows in Toronto, she had a bit of a reunion with Melanie. The latter has a ukelele school and students came down the aisles playing their ukes with Melanie leading the way to Jann. Such a cool moment! I got a Jann Arden t-shirt at the merchandise table. It said Happy? on it, to mark her newly released album back then. It's crazy to think that this album is nearly 26 years old. Yikes! I didn't grab any refreshments or snacks that night. I only remember happily walking back to the hotel and the sound my boots made walking on the snow. I had a great time then. I also had a decent parking experience on Canada Day just over two weeks ago. The NAC has changed since I last stepped foot. It looks like for the better. The digital leaves blowing around that you see above the NAC's main entrance was a nice touch. (240) read more

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Beautiful space and always a pleasure to attend shows there. The ushers are always helpful and washrooms are easy to find. But the seats are a bit small and uncomfortable. I think they might need to update the seat or at least change the couchions - my left leg kept falling asleep and my back got noticeably sore at the end of the last show. read more

National Arts Centre - Aladdin Broadway - Performing Arts Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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My husband and i paid 150 each for our tickets to see Mrs Doubtfire November 5th.Ihave never been so disappointed ,After finding our seats the show started on time,being that i am only 5ft tall i was sitting behind two rows of tall people,the seats are not staggerd one in front of the other,i couldnt see a thing.The sound was also not good.We decided we had to leave at the intermission.After paying six dollars for our coats and twelve dollars parking as seniors we had saved up our money expecting to have a wonderful evening.It will be a long time before we will return..Kathleen Oliver. read more

Saw Francis Cabrel here What an amazing concert! Parking was 11 bucks Easy in and out a little hard to find the parking deck though Great sound Comfy seats And Francis was amazing! read more

National Arts Centre - Performing Arts Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

The glasses illuminates current issues of the society. Beautiful. Looks like it is a free entrance. People just came in and out without any tickets on hand read more

National Arts Centre - Performing Arts Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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The shows are great, the staff are freindly. But the sound quality in the theatre is absolutely awful. I have seen around 10 shows in the last 2 years and all of them have had sound quality that is terrible. The high-pitched sounds actually make you cringe they are so loud, but mid range is non-existent. All sound comes from the stage, with nothing behind or to the side. So at the end of a couple of hours you just want the people on stage to stop shouting at you. For plays you can expect to understand about 60 percent of the dialog. I have been everywhere from the last row at the top level to about 8 rows behind the orchestra in the lowest level. After the last show (Hairspray) I am just done. I am not buying season tickets again, it's just too painful to attend. read more

I haven't really had the opportunity to go the NAC because of the pandemic, but in-person events have opened up again, so I finally had the opportunity to check out a few ongoing events. The NAC Orchestra performs here (who would have thought), and their reputation precedes them; I've had the chance to watch their performance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. I also got to see a concert by the same orchestra, this time conducted by Dalia Stasevka, who dedicated the concert to the people of Ukraine. I also got to see Hamilton this July. For this, they had to alter the stage to allow for the effects and gimmicks the musical offers. The concert hall has great acoustics that lends itself well to performances with musical elements. The seats are comfortable. The concourse is great to be in during intermissions due to its dignified atmosphere. It's worth mentioning that youth under 30 get insanely great $15 tickets for events such as the above, likely in an attempt to "preserve the arts for future generations". The NAC Orchestra also livestreams their concerts for free, which is worth doing. read more

5 stars out of 5 for: -well, to date, I've been impressed with the shows that have come to NAC - that, I have seen (from English Theatre to dance to orchestra to musicals over the years living in Ottawa) -this review is highly influenced by my seeing Onegin - y'all have to see it! -it's an interesting take from Pushkin's original opera; yep, it's quirky; well done music score; nicely done set design; brilliant cast! -also, come to the NAC & see the upgrades (nice digs!) read more

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We were fortunate enough to see Bonnie Raitt in concert in the NAC's Southam Hall. What an amazing venue! It's been a very busy week for us - we also attended an event at the Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, so it's all very fresh in my mind, and I can compare the two venues. I can tell you that we are very fortunate in Ottawa to have this centre to see great performance, all in a fabulous setting. The NAC is well laid out, and has comfortable seats. Southam Hall has 4 balconies - it's HUGE!! The only thing I really wish is that we could take pictures at the performances we see here. I understand why they have such strict policies, but still - some shows are once in a lifetime events, and there's nothing like great seats to enhance the experience. Just sayin'! There's also a café which has a patio where you can have lunch (they serve all year round, patio only in the warmer months I'm afraid!) read more

Honestly the food was straight up shit bro, like what the actual fuck they made us eat herbs for supper like damn. we should be eating like SEASONED chicken, with some rice or like a fucking stake and fries or sum. LIKE IF i could give 0 starts i fucking would. I genuinely don't understand how they can give shitty food like that to 17/18 years old, we want actual food not white people food. Honestly do better. I haven't had a meal in 2 days and i was hungry as hell, and i was acc so excited to eat just to make us eat actual doodoo. read more

Thanks Live 885 for the tickets!!! My husband and I got to see Hey Rosetta tonight for our anniversary! They were fantastic! It was a sold out show and at the end everyone was on their feet singing along and dancing. Pretty cool way to celebrate being with someone for ten years! I love going to the National Arts Centre. I've seen a variety of shows from comedy acts, to large cast musicals, ballet, and rock concerts. I have yet to be disappointed. The sight lines in the various theatres are fantastic and the acoustics provide a round, even sound regardless of where you are seated. The NAC's attempts to bring in the younger generation in the past few years have been, in my opinion, quite successful. Keep bringing back bands such as Hey Rosetta, Sam Roberts Band, and Daniel Wesley, and comedic acts such as Potted Potter and the twenty somethings will come! :) P.S. I love not having to drive out to the Canadian Tire Centre. read more

National Arts Centre - Performing Arts Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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The NAC is a great place to get your cultural fix when you are in Ottawa. I have often made special trips to Ottawa just to see touring dance companies, many which include Ottawa on their tour schedule but not Toronto. Their programming is generally very diverse and international. I have visiting the NAC for the Kirov and Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pina Bausch Tanztheater, Morphoses, etc. The theatre itself is not that exciting and the interior is a bit dated. But it remains elegant and the seating is pretty comfortable. NB that the left half of the theatre is odd numbers and the right half is even numbers. So don't worry if you are your guest have seats "X, X+2" because you'll still end up sitting together! My only complaint - they need more ladies washrooms! read more

The National Arts Centre (NAC) is in the heart of downtown Ottawa. It's smack dab in the middle of all of the hustle and bustle - you can't miss it. It's a popular place to watch all sorts of performances, no matter what your age. You can attend dance recitals, children and family shows, comedy shows, English and French theatre, Broadway musicals, an orchestral concert, and other concerts, educational, and community events as well. I find that most of the programming consists of plays, and most of the concerts are classical or jazz. This is also the main location for elementary and high school kids to watch plays of the books they're reading in school. The halls and banquet facilities can even be rented for meetings and formal functions, and I even know a few high schools that have had their graduation ceremony here. read more

National Arts Centre - Performing Arts Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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I have been to the NAC onmany occasions and I have only good things to say about it! Dirty Dancing was what brought me here most recently - fantastic show. The pre-show and intermission drinks are a little pricey, but I can't complain about a delicious glass of Pinot Grigio during a great date night out! The staff and all employees are friendly and accommodating and are know their way around - and always help me find my seat :) I will definitely be returning! read more

National Arts Centre - Intermission - Performing Arts Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

We went to the NAC to see the Counting Crows. It was the perfect choice for a local venue. When going to the NAC you don't have to worry about the sound, that is often hit or miss in many venues, it's always spot on. This night was no different. The C.C. sounded fantastic. This was the first time I've sat in the boxes up on the side. I usually need to get up throughout a show and these seats are perfect for that. There's only a few people per box and you can stand up without disturbing anyone and still take in the show. I was also pleased to be allowed to take a drink back with me to my seat. The only issue we had was the one ticket scanner would not work so we had to walk across to the other side of the venue to have our tickets scanned. read more

National Arts Centre - Performing Arts Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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I came in here for a coffee at the excellent coffee shop. The coffee was fantastic. I haven't been to a show here, though, but there was a lot going on when I came on the main floor, including some live music. They were also undergoing some renovations as the building is a bit dated. read more

The NAC is probably Ottawa's most prestigious professional performing arts centre. Through any given week, you can expect to find English plays, French plays, community plays, concerts, classical music, dance and variety shows. The shows are generally more pricey and high brow than something you'd find at the GCTC, Scotiabank Place, Centrepointe, etc. Sometimes this is good, sometimes this is bad. Usually when it's bad it's because the NAC can sometimes play it safe when they choose events. This is, of course, not always the case. I've seen many wonderful shows here. The NAC's Fourth Stage also allowed me to foray into writing and directing my first play reading series. The prices are often a bit steep, but if you're an avid NAC goer, you can buy memberships to cut down on the cost. If you're a full time student who's under 30, you can also get a Live Rush pass. These are really great. Basically, if a show isn't sold out and you arrive between 2 and 6 on the day of the performance, you only pay $11 per ticket (max 2 tickets per person). These tickets can even include the best seats in the house. If you don't want to take a chance on a performance selling out, you can buy tickets for 50% off the regular price (tickets are limited). Students also get 50% off subscriptions. Definitely keep an eye on this theatre's event listings. Throughout a year, odds are there will be at least one performance that you would hate to miss. read more

National Arts Centre - photo from their website - Performing Arts Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

We heard about their family day event through a friend and decided to check it out. I wasn't sure what exactly to expect, we did the Rick Charelli New Years Eve Party this year at the old city center and that was a disgrace of a disaster so i was alittle hesitate on this one........how good could a free party for kids be? Well was I ever wrong, we walked in and they had greeters for us, with maps of everything going on, with all the times listed for all the different events for the kids......super organized and friendly. They had a scavenger style hunt for all the kids, they had face painting for the younger kids, they had active drama classes where the kids actually learned a script and read it, they had dance classes, they had improve classes, they had storytelling classes with actors, they had a boat building station (popsicle sticks) and you got to float them in the "pond", they had a fundraising baking section....and on and on......honestly there was so much to do we focused on just a few things. This is probably one of the best, organized and run kids event i have ever been to. Afterwards i started thinking that it was probably small potatoes considering the organization that must go on to put a play together.....however no small feat keeping kids entertained.....and don't forget about the stilt walkers who were just awesome. The only thing i would love for next year, is alittle better food selection for moms and dads so we could have lunch there.......they did have sandwiches and drinks, but that's my only improvement. thank you NAC for a fantastic event read more

Love love love visiting the NAC for any kind of performance. I've seen several musicals here including RENT! Cats, Legally Blonde and Wicked. The seats are really great no matter where you sit, and it's always a lovey night out. There's family-friendly shows playing often as well, which is nice! There's great deals if you're a student, and there's always a ton of different shows for all tastes. I love that parking is underground and you don't have to stress about finding a spot (unlike most places in our beloved downtown!). You can purchase alcohol and other drinks, but as Darren mentioned, it's a pain that you can't bring them outside. One thing I love about this spot outdoors in the winter is the amazing display of Christmas lights. I always drop by while checking out the lights on parliament. Whether for a stroll to see the lights or to catch a play or musical act, the NAC is one place you MUST visit in Ottawa. It's awesome for a romantic date, and the staff are absolutely charming and very helpful. read more

The Staff was fabulous at our RE/MAX metro city General Meeting. The service and food was top drawer. Highly recommend having an event at the National Art Centre. Thank you. Hamre Real Estate Team read more

Huge old building with beautiful overly large decorative features. A new area was recently added/renovated, which includes Equator Coffee Roaster as well as huge floor to ceiling windows with lots of seating and workspace. Many rooms that can be rented out for various business needs. read more

I went to see The Book of Mormon at the NAC. Now I'm not sure if Book of Mormon have their own sound crew or it was the NAC sound crew, but I was very disappointed with the sound quality. There were times when the sound at the NAC was muddy and uneven to the point where I could not hear what the main characters were saying. Obvious for a performing arts centre that is a big problem. Unfortunately I was not the only one who experienced the poor sound quality. I very much like to believe that this was an outlier rather than what usually happens. The (potentially-one-off) sound issues aside, the NAC is a beautiful space. It is spacious, easy to navigate, great interior design, and has wonderful art. The staff are very courteous and professional. I can see that the NAC would be an amazing place for a wedding. The NAC is easy to access as it is on major city transit routes, has underground parking, and if you are willing to walk, you can find free street parking (after 5:30 and free on weekends). So while I'm sure the NAC has earned the high praises from other people, I am giving it a 3/5 stars until I go back and watch another show. read more

The National Arts Centre is right in the downtown core of Ottawa and a great place to see a play, ballet or concert. The best thing I have seen here, while living in Ottawa, was RENT. Since I was a student at the time, I had one of the farthest seats from the stage, but the sound quality was still amazing and I really enjoyed the musical. If you are a student, the NAC offers some good deals. Regular tickets have a special price, but the best thing to do is to wait until the last minute, then line up at the box office for really cheap rush tickets! Sometimes you can even get a good seat! I was also privelidged to have my Univsersity of Ottawa convocation held at the NAC. Even though the hall that they use is vast, there are many seperate convocations held. The size of the hall and the fact that my family had to sit on balcony seats, made me realize how big of an event that convocation really is. It really felt special to have it in such a formal setting. The size of the NACs facilities also helped get graduates ready, as there is quite a process for being in the right order, finding your gown, getting your diploma and getting your pictures taken afterwards. The NAC is perfect for holding a large event like this. read more

I love the NAC but I find them very badly organized. When there is multiple events it's often confusing and not clear where to go. Lines at the bars are very long and slow and the staff is not very friendly, almost rude. I perfectly understand that the service industry isn't always fun but I'm thinking that being friendly and at least serving customers with a smile is 50% of the job they get paid to do. Overall the ambiance, architecture and cleanliness of that building is great and totally worth seeing even if you are not going in to a show in one of the theatre. read more

Stunning wedding venue both inside and out. I LOVE weddings held on the rooftop terrace and their reception tent is amazing.

Just went to Ottawa Symphony Orchestra performing Color of Europe in the newly renovated Southam Hall. I didn't but person sitting beside me says that the acoustic effects are much better now that they have replaced the carpet with hardwood floor. Added aisles are thoughtful. The new seats are not as fancy as the old ones though. read more

There aren't that many venues to watch shows in Ottawa, so when I go to the NAC I really hope to see improvements every time I go and as usual, I leave disappointed. The location, decor and staff are lovely. The sound travels to every seat in the house and the prices are usually fair. BUT, they don't have cheap parking, their bars are cash only, the seats are uncomfortable, the temperature seems to always be on "hot", and if you get a tall person sitting in front of you, it will obstruct your view cause the seats are placed directly behind each other instead of the usual one third off set you'll find in any movie theatre. We can do better Ottawa. read more

I have a heckuva time finding parking in this place, but the shows are always top-notch. The orchestra is fantastic.

DANGER !!!!!!!!!!!The railings of the upper balconies of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa are NOT SAFE for children. In some places the railing bars are missing, leaving openings big enough for even a 4 year old to fall through. read more

My husband and I have enjoyed our many experiences at the NAC over the past few years. We have enjoyed some of the visiting international performances, are faithful subscribers to the NAC English Theatre and huge fans of the musical performances including Fourth Stage, which allows us to discover rising Canadian music stars in a comfortable venue. The NAC Cafe is a beautiful little gem of a restaurant which is hard to beat in terms of location (right beside the canal with an unbeatable view) and a winning menu. Due to it''s location within the NAC complex, reservations are hard to come by a few days prior, but it's worth while planning a special meal there some time before a performance. read more