#ottmusic 2026 Applications Open

Attention musicians: City of Ottawa's #ottmusic applications now open to feature your music tracks

If you are an Ottawa-based musician and you want your original tracks to be heard by residents, applications are now open for 2026 #ottmusic programs, which include Music on Hold, City Sounds and O-Buskers.

The Music on Hold program plays select local music to callers of the City of Ottawa’s phone system (3-1-1) while they are on hold. This year, 25 songs will be selected by a committee of Ottawa musicians and industry professionals. In addition, a playlist of this program is available each year on ottawa.ca/ottmusic for those who want to listen uninterrupted.

City Sounds is a free streamable playlist created annually to shine a spotlight on local talent. This playlist is updated every autumn City Sounds 2025 is available on ottawa.ca/ottmusic.

O-Buskers program
Music tracks will take a whole new meaning with the new O-Buskers program, anticipated to start in 2026. This new program will help bring local musical entertainment to create a vibrant environment and community spirit at select O-Train stations.

As part of the #ottmusic initiative, the O-Buskers will include musicians from the previous year’s selections as well as new applicants.

All O-Buskers artist submissions will be reviewed by OC Transpo, as well as a committee of musicians and industry professionals from the Ottawa area.

Applications for all #ottmusic programs close at 1 pm on April 1st, 2026

To be eligible, applicants must be 18 years or older and Ottawa artists. You can learn more about how to apply by visiting ottawa.ca/ottmusic. For O-Buskers application information, visit octranspo.com.

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.