A big weekend just across the river
Ottawa area electronic music fans won't have to travel far for a major festival this weekend. Riverside Festival is back at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, running Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, according to a post from local account @613trending.
For anyone in Ottawa, the location couldn't be more convenient. The museum sits right across the Alexandra Bridge from downtown, making it an easy walk, bike ride or short drive from the Byward Market and surrounding neighbourhoods. Expect a busy weekend of foot traffic between the two cities as festivalgoers cross back and forth.
Who's playing
The lineup leans heavily into big-name electronic acts. Marshmello headlines Friday night, Steve Aoki takes the stage Saturday, and Excision closes out the festival on Sunday. Rounding out the bill are TWINSICK, HALŌ, GorillaT and a rotating cast of local DJs across all three days.
It's the kind of lineup that draws crowds from well beyond the National Capital Region, and with the museum's riverside grounds as a backdrop, the setting is hard to beat for an outdoor September show.
CaféBeats: a free morning add-on
According to the post, organizers are also launching something new this year: CaféBeats, a free event on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's a lower-key session featuring local DJs and coffee from Qahwa Bar, giving people a chance to ease into the day before the festival's main stage ramps up again in the afternoon and evening.
It's a nice touch for anyone who wants a taste of the festival atmosphere without committing to a full day of high-energy sets, or for families and casual visitors who might swing by the museum grounds that morning.
Planning your weekend
With three headliners spread across three days, festivalgoers heading over from Ottawa should plan around whichever night matches their taste, whether that's Marshmello's pop-leaning sound on Friday, Aoki's high-energy Saturday set, or Excision's heavier bass-driven close on Sunday. Given the cross-border crowds, allowing extra time for parking or transit on the Gatineau side is a good idea, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
For the latest details on set times and access, keep an eye on official festival channels, and thanks to @613trending on Instagram for the heads-up on this one.
