UAFest 2026 — One Day in Ukraine at Riverside Park
Eight zones of Ukrainian food, music, dance, craft and community — one unforgettable free day at Riverside Park.
The Ottawa Valley's Ukrainian cultural festival, all grown up
What began as a small community gathering in 2023 now fills Riverside Park with thousands of visitors. UAFest 2026 brings back everything guests love — Ukrainian food and drink, a full concert stage, a craft market, hands-on workshops and a kids' zone — plus new surprises we're still planning. Mark the date — you won't want to miss this one.
What it feels like to walk the grounds
Walk the grounds on festival day and Riverside Park feels like a Ukrainian village dropped into the Ottawa Valley. Live music drifts between the concert stage and the Tavern, folk dancers move through the crowd in embroidered vyshyvanka, and the smell of grilling sausage and fresh varenyky follows you from tent to tent. Kids race between craft tables while grandparents trade stories on lawn chairs by the river — one afternoon that's equal parts block party, cultural showcase and family reunion.
Eight zones to explore
New to any of this? The food and culture guides explain what borscht, varenyky and holubtsi are, and how they are made.
The Rushnyk of Unity — North American Premiere
A 160-metre embroidered rushnyk that toured 13 European countries and holds a European Record makes its first-ever North American stop right here — with a community panel from Lanark County added on stage.
Read the full story →Good to know before you go
Festival FAQ
UAFest 2026 runs 12 – 6 PM on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at Riverside Park, Carleton Place — general admission is free all day.
Very much so. There's a dedicated kids' zone, family activities and workshops running all day.
Yes — UAFest is the Ottawa Valley's Ukrainian festival, held in Carleton Place about 45 minutes west of downtown Ottawa. What started as a single community garage sale in 2023 has grown into a full-day cultural festival drawing thousands of visitors from Ottawa, Carleton Place and across the Ottawa Valley every year.
Ride with the Unity Ride & Drive convoy as a passenger: register in advance on the Unity Ride & Drive page and choose “I'd like a seat in someone's vehicle”, so the organisers can match you with a driver. The column gathers in Ottawa from 10:00 AM and leaves at 11:00 sharp. The exact meeting point is sent to you once you register. Coming by car? Free parking along Lake Ave W on both sides of the entrance.
Yes, dogs on a leash are welcome. Please clean up after them.
Riverside Park has paved and accessible paths — wheelchair and stroller friendly — with accessible washrooms on site.
Visit our Vendors, Sponsors or Volunteer pages — each has its own short application form.
Have a different question? See the full FAQ.
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