RBC Bluesfest: what you need to know about traffic and transit

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Published on
July 4, 2023
Arts, heritage and events
Home and community
Parking, roads, traffic and transit

RBC Bluesfest takes over LeBreton Flats this weekend, with concerts from Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 12 to Sunday, July 16. Residents and visitors travelling in the area can expect increased traffic and pedestrian activity throughout the festivities.

Take transit to and from RBC Bluesfest

Travel on OC Transpo is included in the ticket price for event ticket holders. Ride the bus, O-Train, or Para Transpo to and from the festival, starting three hours before the event and up to two hours after the end of the event on the date(s) your Bluesfest pass is valid. Simply show your wristband or pass to the bus or Para Transpo operator or use the video chat function on ticket machines at O-Train Line 1 stations to request access through the fare gate.

Para Transpo customers will be picked up and dropped off at a designated location near the group entry for the museum. Bluesfest staff will be on location to assist. 

Getting home after the show

  • Going east: Take O-Train Line 1 to connect with buses at Hurdman, St-Laurent or Blair Stations.
  • Going west: Take O-Train Line 1 to Bayview or Tunney’s Pasture stations, or take bus routes 57, 61, 62, 63, 74 or 75 from Albert Street at Booth Street.
  • Look out for signage to find your queue line on Booth Street after the show.

Transit service detours
On Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 12 to Sunday, July 16, some OC Transpo bus routes will be detoured between 5 pm and 12:30 am due to the Booth Street closure. 

For more information or to plan your trip, visit octranspo.com. You can also connect with OC Transpo through FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

Street closures and parking restrictions

The following streets will be closed nightly between 5 pm and midnight throughout the festival, except on Monday, July 10 and Tuesday, July 11:

  • Booth Street between Wellington Street/Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway and Albert Street
  • Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway eastbound between Parkdale Avenue and Booth Street
  • Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway westbound between Portage Bridge and Slidell Street

Lacal street parking restrictions are in effect throughout the festival, please refer to on-street signage. Major restrictions include:

  • North and south side parking lanes on Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, between Booth Street and Vimy Place, are closed until 6 pm on Saturday, July 22
  • North and south side parking lanes on Wellington Street, between Booth Street and Lett Street, are closed until midnight on Wednesday, July 19

For updates on construction and roadwork activity across Ottawa, or for information about traffic and travel planning, visit the City’s traffic map or follow the City’s traffic account on Twitter.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.