Last Updated: January 13, 2026
Ottawa’s historic churches host some of the city’s finest classical music performances throughout the year—and many of these concerts are completely free, offering world-class organ recitals and chamber music in stunning architectural settings.
From the magnificent pipe organs at St. Andrew’s Church and Dominion-Chalmers Centre to intimate vocal recitals at Trinity Anglican Church, Ottawa’s sacred spaces double as concert venues with exceptional acoustics and welcoming atmospheres. These free-admission concerts—typically supported by freewill offerings—make classical music accessible to everyone while showcasing some of Canada’s finest musicians.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa offers free classical concerts at several churches year-round. St. Andrew’s “Music as Sanctuary” runs Tuesdays at 12:10 PM with free soup lunch. Dominion-Chalmers hosts free organ concerts featuring one of Ottawa’s largest pipe organs. Trinity Anglican’s series runs Saturday afternoons with pay-what-you-can admission.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎵 Main Venues | St. Andrew’s, Trinity Anglican, Dominion-Chalmers |
| 💰 Admission | Free / Freewill offering |
| ⏰ Typical Times | Weekday lunch (12:10 PM) or Saturday afternoons |
| 🎹 Features | Pipe organs, chamber music, vocal recitals |
Music as Sanctuary at St. Andrew’s Church
St. Andrew’s Church hosts weekly free concerts with complimentary soup lunch.
The Music as Sanctuary concert series at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church stands as Ottawa’s most accessible weekly classical music program. Located at 82 Kent Street in the heart of downtown, this series brings professional musicians to perform every Tuesday during the concert season.
Concert Details
When: Tuesdays, 12:10 PM - 1:00 PM Where: St. Andrew’s Church, 82 Kent Street Admission: Free, donations welcome Bonus: Complimentary soup lunch served after each performance
The series features guest artists from the National Capital Region and beyond, presenting solo performers and small ensembles across a wide range of musical genres. Many concerts feature the church’s magnificent pipe organ, though you’ll also hear piano, strings, winds, and vocal performances.
Upcoming Performance: Matthew Larkin
On January 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM, renowned organist Matthew Larkin performs J.S. Bach’s Art of Fugue—one of the composer’s most profound works. This evening concert differs from the usual Tuesday lunchtime format, offering a rare opportunity to hear this complete masterpiece performed on the church’s organ.
Larkin, one of Canada’s most respected organists, brings decades of experience to this demanding repertoire. The Art of Fugue represents Bach’s final exploration of contrapuntal technique, and hearing it performed live in a resonant church acoustic provides an experience recordings cannot replicate.
Admission: Freewill offering
Access Options
Can’t attend in person? St. Andrew’s offers:
- Live streams on select Tuesdays at 12:10 PM
- Archived performances on their YouTube channel
Recent performers have included Fraser Rubens, Joshua Zentner-Barrett, Stephanie Brassard and Friends, Bronwyn, and harpist Caroline Leonardelli.
Trinity Anglican Church Music Series
Trinity Anglican’s concert series celebrates its 10th anniversary season in 2025-2026.
Music at Trinity, the concert series at Trinity Anglican Church, celebrates its 10th anniversary during the 2025-2026 season. This Bank Street church hosts regular concerts featuring organ recitals, vocal performances, and instrumental music in an intimate setting.
Concert Details
Where: Trinity Anglican Church, 1230 Bank Street Typical Time: Saturdays at 4:00 PM Admission: Freewill offering (pay-what-you-can)
The church’s Casavant Frères organ provides the foundation for many performances, though the series also features guitarists, vocalists, and chamber ensembles. The intimate space creates close connection between performers and audience.
2025-2026 Season Highlights
- September 27, 2025: Season opener with organist Matthew Larkin performing Bach, Albright, Peters, Titelouze, and Pumfrey
- October 2025: “Patrice & Louis” featuring guitarists Patrice Servant and Louis Trepanier performing classical, Latin Jazz, and Blues
- January 2026: “Only Beautiful Melodies” with soprano Shawne Elizabeth Beames, pianist Olya Lenko, soprano Kylie Pratt, and soprano Lydia Rochon
- Special Events: Ravel’s 150th anniversary celebration with soprano Whitney Leigh Sloan and pianist Fabien Tousignant
- Lessons and Carols: Traditional service featuring choir, hymn singing, and the Casavant Frères organ
Contact: (613) 733-7536 | office@trinityottawa.ca
Dominion-Chalmers Centre Organ Concerts
Dominion-Chalmers houses one of Ottawa’s largest pipe organs with over 5,000 pipes.
The Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in downtown Ottawa hosts free organ concerts featuring one of the city’s most impressive instruments. The pipe organ—turning 60 years old—contains 5,179 pipes spanning seven storeys, making it one of the largest pipe organs in Ottawa.
Free Organ Concert Series
Next Concert: March 2, 2025 Schedule:
- 3:30 PM - Doors open with “Making-of-the-Organ” slides
- 4:00 PM - One-hour organ concert
- Post-concert - Meet the instrument onstage
Admission: Free
Featured Performers
Jennifer Loveless serves as the Titular Organist at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa and Associate Performance Faculty Member at Carleton University. She holds degrees from McGill and Concordia universities.
Maria Gajraj, a Montreal-based organist and doctoral candidate at McGill University, co-founded Sapphonix Collective promoting underrepresented classical musicians. Her research focuses on 20th-century Caribbean organ repertoire.
Programme Highlights
Typical programmes include:
- Works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Marcel Dupré, Maurice Duruflé
- Pieces by women composers including Jeanne Demessieux and Olivia Belli
- Music by Canadian composer Denis Bédard
The post-concert “meet the instrument” session allows attendees to go onstage and see the organ up close—a rare opportunity to appreciate the scale and complexity of this remarkable instrument.
Support the Organ: The instrument requires ongoing maintenance with a fundraising goal of $50,000 for immediate repairs. Donations accepted at futurefunder.carleton.ca.
Other Church Concert Venues
Ottawa’s historic churches offer exceptional acoustics for classical performances.
Beyond the main concert series, several Ottawa churches host occasional or seasonal concerts worth attending.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Ottawa’s historic Catholic cathedral on Sussex Drive houses a magnificent Casavant organ and hosts occasional organ performances. The stunning Gothic Revival interior—with its ornate ceiling and stained glass windows—provides a breathtaking setting for sacred music. Check the cathedral website for special concerts during Christmas, Easter, and other liturgical seasons.
Christ Church Cathedral
The Anglican cathedral on Sparks Street Mall hosts lunchtime concerts and special musical events throughout the year. The cathedral choir maintains a high standard of sacred music, and the church occasionally opens for organ recitals and chamber music performances.
St. Patrick’s Basilica
This Nepean-area basilica hosts community concerts and musical events. The church’s organ and acoustic properties make it suitable for classical performances, particularly choral works.
Summer Concert Series
Several churches expand their concert offerings during summer months:
Noontime Recitals
Summer brings additional free organ recitals to Ottawa churches, typically on Friday lunchtimes. These shorter programmes (30-45 minutes) offer a perfect midday cultural break for downtown workers and tourists alike.
Music and Beyond Festival
While not exclusively church-based, the Music and Beyond Festival (typically July-August) includes concerts in various Ottawa churches. Some performances are free, while others require tickets. The festival brings international classical artists to intimate church settings with exceptional acoustics.
Planning Your Visit
What to Expect
Church concerts in Ottawa maintain a welcoming, informal atmosphere:
- Dress code: Casual attire is fine; no formal dress required
- Arrival: Arrive 10-15 minutes early for best seating
- Duration: Most concerts run 45-60 minutes
- Etiquette: Applause between movements is acceptable at most venues
- Donations: Freewill offerings support the musicians and venue maintenance
Accessibility
Most Ottawa churches have made accessibility improvements:
- St. Andrew’s: Wheelchair accessible entrance on Kent Street
- Trinity Anglican: Level entry available
- Dominion-Chalmers: Accessible seating and washrooms
Contact venues in advance if you have specific accessibility needs.
Parking and Transit
St. Andrew’s Church (82 Kent Street)
- Street parking on Kent and surrounding streets
- Paid parking at nearby lots
- Close to O-Train Line 1 at Lyon Station
Trinity Anglican Church (1230 Bank Street)
- Street parking on Bank Street and side streets
- Bus routes along Bank Street
Dominion-Chalmers Centre (downtown)
- Street parking in the area
- Multiple OC Transpo bus routes nearby
Why Attend Church Concerts?
Exceptional Acoustics
Ottawa’s historic churches were designed for music. Their high ceilings, stone or plaster walls, and wooden interiors create natural reverberation that enhances organ music and acoustic instruments. Recording cannot capture the experience of hearing a pipe organ fill a cathedral space with sound.
Architectural Settings
These venues offer architectural beauty alongside musical excellence. From Gothic Revival arches to Victorian stained glass, church concerts combine visual and auditory arts in ways modern concert halls cannot replicate.
Community Experience
Church concerts attract music lovers of all backgrounds. The intimate settings and informal atmosphere foster community, with many attendees becoming regulars who recognize fellow music enthusiasts week after week.
Accessible Excellence
Free admission makes world-class classical music available to everyone. Musicians donate their time or receive modest honoraria from donations, maintaining high standards while eliminating financial barriers to attendance.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to be religious to attend church concerts?
Not at all. These concerts welcome everyone regardless of religious background. While held in sacred spaces, the concerts themselves are cultural events focused on music appreciation rather than religious worship.
Q: Are the concerts actually free?
Yes, admission is free at most venues. Freewill offerings are encouraged but never required. Donations support the musicians and help maintain the instruments and venues. Give what you can afford, including nothing if that’s your situation.
Q: How long do the concerts last?
Most concerts run 45-60 minutes. The Tuesday lunchtime concerts at St. Andrew’s fit into a lunch break, running from 12:10 to 1:00 PM including the optional soup lunch afterward.
Q: What should I wear?
Casual attire is perfectly appropriate. You’ll see everything from business casual to jeans. Comfortable shoes are helpful since church pews can be hard.
Q: Can I bring children?
Children are welcome at most venues, though parents should consider whether their child can sit quietly for 45-60 minutes. The lunchtime concerts with their shorter duration may work better for families with younger children.
Q: Is there parking nearby?
Street parking is available near all venues, though downtown locations can be challenging during weekday lunchtimes. Consider public transit for St. Andrew’s, which is near Lyon Station on the O-Train.
Q: How do I find out about upcoming concerts?
Each venue maintains its own schedule:
- St. Andrew’s: standrewsottawa.ca
- Trinity Anglican: trinityottawa.ca
- Dominion-Chalmers: carleton.ca/cdcc
Sign up for email newsletters or follow social media accounts for announcements.
Q: What kind of music is performed?
Programmes span classical music history from Bach and Handel through to contemporary Canadian composers. Organ recitals predominate, but you’ll also hear piano, strings, winds, and vocal performances. Some concerts mix genres, including jazz and folk alongside classical works.
Final Thoughts
Ottawa’s free church concerts offer one of the capital’s best-kept cultural secrets. These performances bring professional musicians to historic venues with outstanding acoustics, all without admission fees. Whether you’re a classical music devotee or simply curious about pipe organs, these concerts provide accessible entry points to appreciate live music in beautiful settings.
The Music as Sanctuary series at St. Andrew’s, with its weekly schedule and complimentary soup lunch, makes an ideal starting point. From there, explore Trinity Anglican’s Saturday afternoon concerts and Dominion-Chalmers’ special organ events to discover which venues and programmes best suit your tastes.
For more free activities in Ottawa, see our guide to free things to do in Ottawa throughout the year.
Sources: St. Andrew’s Ottawa, Trinity Anglican Church, Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, venue websites and concert schedules.
