One Day in Ukraine.
A Lifetime of Connection.
The Ottawa Valley's Ukrainian cultural festival returns to Riverside Park — a free day of food, music, dance and craft for the whole community, Ukrainian and Canadian alike.
A 160-metre rushnyk crosses the Atlantic — and lands here first
Stitched by 120+ embroiderers across 13 European countries and holder of a European Record, the Rushnyk Yednosti – Rushnyk Peremohy makes its North American Premiere at UAFest this September — and Lanark County is invited to add its own panel to the cloth.
A festival built by the community
UAFest is a Ukrainian cultural festival near Ottawa — an open day for everyone who wants to experience Ukraine. It brings together Ukrainian food, music, dance, crafts, art, children's activities, entrepreneurs, volunteers and local partners in one welcoming public space — a cultural bridge between Ukrainians and Canadians, between heritage and future, between local community and global support.
From a garage sale to the Ottawa Valley's Ukrainian festival
In spring 2023, Carleton Place resident Gloria Bradley held a garage sale to support Ukrainian families newly arrived in Lanark County. That fall, the first Ukrainian Fest welcomed about 1,000 guests and raised enough to send Christmas gifts to 50 children in Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
Every year since, the table has gotten bigger: roughly 3,000 guests in 2024, more than 4,000 in 2025 — and for September 13, 2026, we're aiming for 5,000+. Same volunteer-run, community-first festival, just a bigger crowd around it.
UAFest began as thanks to the Canadians who welcomed Ukrainians into their communities, and that spirit still shapes the day: free admission, an open door for vendors and volunteers, and a portion of every festival's proceeds going back to families still living through the hardest version of that story.
Read the full story →Eight zones, one big day
Wander from the tavern to the market to the main stage — there's something new to taste, hear or make around every corner, from noon until the festival closes at 8 PM.
This year we're setting the table for 5,000+ — join the crowd on Sunday, September 13 at Riverside Park.
What a day at Riverside Park looks like
Real faces from real festivals — the crowd, the music, the market and the kids who make UAFest what it is.
More than a festival day
A portion of every UAFest goes directly to Kids of Ukraine, supporting psychosocial programs for children and teens affected by the war — proof that a neighbourhood festival can reach further than Lanark County.
“We started with a single garage sale and one idea — bring people together. Every year since, the community has leaned in a little more.”
— The UAFest Lanark County TeamThere's a place for you at UAFest
However you want to show up — as a guest, a vendor, a sponsor, a volunteer or a performer — we'll be glad to see you.
A growing ecosystem
UAFest is more than one day a year. Three projects extend the community's reach year-round.
Backed by community and business
Past festival supporters have included
Become a Sponsor