Welcome to Bear Frolic 2026!
October 8-12, 2026
You’ve been clamoring for it and we’re delivering! Bear Frolic is back for another amazing weekend of frolic and merriment with all of your old favourite events plus some new and exciting events to fill your weekend.
As with past Bear Frolics, we will be bringing you social get togethers, amazing meals, an epic dance party with DJ Dis Moi Oui and a fun trip to a wave pool.
But this time we’re also adding a boat tour of the Ottawa River, a Sunday night Red Party, some line and square dancing and a private play party with Illuminaughty.
There is something for everyone to enjoy so sign up today and book your hotel room because you won’t want to miss this premium bear run.
* keep scrolling for a detailed schedule.
Purchase a VIB (Very Important Bear) pass and you will have access to almost all of the events for one low price.
The Courtyard Ottawa Downtown, our host hotel, is located in the heart of the ByWard Market and close to restaurants, shopping and public transit. It has a large ballroom that offers the perfect setting for an unforgettable dance event. The hotel is where many of the weekend’s activities will take place.
For Your Information
The Mr Ottawa Bear competition with opening performance by Drake Jensen was scheduled for Sunday evening, October 11.
Unfortunately, Drake has had to cancel due to health reasons, and also, we did not get enough competitors to hold the Mr Ottawa Bear competition. Consequently, we are reorganizing our schedule to adapt to the new situation.
Ticket holders will be contacted via email with alternate options.
The registration desk, located in the lower-level foyer of the host hotel (Courtyard Ottawa Downtown) is where you can pick up your VIB pass or event tickets and where we’ll have some merchandise for sale.
It will only be open/staffed during these hours:
- Thursday, October 8: 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Friday, October 9: 4:00pm-5:30pm and 9:00pm-11:00pm
- Saturday, October 10: 10:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-2:00pm
- Sunday, October 11: 1:00pm-2:00pm and 8:45pm-9:30pm
Do you enjoy chatting with WhatsApp? We’ve set up a special WhatsApp group for Bear Frolic attendees to communicate before and/or during Bear Frolic.
To join in on the fun, use the contact form at the bottom of this page to request an invitation from the Event Coordinator and be sure to specify your mobile phone number as it’s required to invite someone to a WhatsApp group.
You must have WhatsApp installed on your device to participate.
Before requesting to join, please make sure your WhatsApp profile is up to date with a face picture. Also, please keep conversations related to Bear Frolic and things of interest to the bear community.
There will be a coat check available on the lower level during most events. All proceeds will be donated to Northern Lights Refuge.
Coat check will only be open/staffed during these hours:
- Friday, October 9: 9:45pm-2:00am
- Sunday, October 11: 2:30pm-6:00pm and 8:45pm-11:00pm
For those staying at the hotel, there is limited (first come first served) parking with in/out privileges for $35 per day.
There is metered street-side parking throughout the ByWard market.
The closest city-run facility is the ByWard Market Garage Parking and it’s a 5 minute walk from the host hotel. Parking rates for it are here.
Schedule
* Schedule information could change without notice so check here for the latest. Click on 
to see details.
- : VIB ticket holders only.
: Included in the VIB package.- : Free event. Open to the public.
Thursday, October 8
Location: Lowertown Brewery (73 York Street) downstairs lounge
Start your weekend off right by enjoying some light hors d’oeuvres, cool drinks and hot conversation with fellow bears at a very unique speak-easy in the basement of Lowertown Brewery.
This is a great opportunity to meet other event attendees and network.
A cash bar will be available for all your beverage needs.
* This event is only accessible to VIB ticket holders.
Friday, October 9
Cost: $50
Explore the beautiful Ottawa river, including Rideau Falls, on a tour boat with premium seating for our group.
Experience the capital’s most dramatic skyline views on our 60–75 minute narrated Ottawa River cruise. Departing from the foot of the Parliament Hill locks, you’ll enjoy a front-row seat to the majestic Rideau Falls and historic landmarks with live bilingual commentary. Relax and enjoy yourself on our spacious decks and grab a drink from the onboard cash bar as you take in the city’s best “postcard” photo ops.
For more details on this tour, click here and choose the “Ottawa River Cruise – Rideau Falls Experience” tour.
Tour Meetup: Parliament Hill Locks (16 minute walk from the host hotel). Meet at 10:45am. The boat leaves at 11am sharp. Don’t get left behind!
* Note: This tour is NOT included in the VIB package and must be purchased separately.
Cost: Free
Location: Host Hotel – Bear’s Den Lounge (downstairs)
Spend some time with your fellow bears and enjoy some cool drinks and great conversation at the host hotel.
A cash bar will be available for all your beverage needs and yes, they will accept credit/debit cards!
* No ticket required for this event. Anyone can attend.
Location: Tucker’s Marketplace (61 York Street)
Meet up at Tucker’s Marketplace for a buffet feast fit for a king!
Value of $45.
This event is only available if you purchase a VIB ticket.
Location: Hotel Ballroom, Lower Level
This is it! The party you’ve been waiting for.
Spinning dance tunes to span the decades, our resident DJ Dis Moi Oui will have you shakin’ your money maker until the cows come home!
There will be a cash bar (that accepts credit/debit cards) for all your beverage needs and comfortable seating for all your intimate conversations.
There will also be a coat check with proceeds going to our chosen charity.
Fetish wear is welcome within the event spaces (lower level ballroom). No frontal nudity anywhere, though. Bums must be covered when leaving the event spaces. ie. cover your bits in public hotel areas.
Cost:
Before September 15: $35
After September 15: $40
At the door: $45
* This event is included if you purchase a VIB ticket.
Saturday, October 10
Location: Hotel ballroom on the lower level.
Cost: Free!
Want to try something completely different?
Ottawa has been the epicenter of a modern version of square dancing called Gay Square Dancing and we’re bringing it to you!
You don’t need a partner and you don’t need any dance experience at all. We’ll teach you everything you need to know for a fun morning of dance and camaraderie.
We will also teach one or two line dances.
Give it a try. You might really like it!
Cost: $45
Our friends over at Illuminaughty have organized a private, fun afternoon play party designed with bears in mind. The theme for the party is Hanky Codes.
The venue, Probe Ottawa, is only one block away from the host hotel and features two private floors of non-stop sexy, anything-goes fun.
Main floor : A licensed bar (19+), free coat/clothes check, socializing lounge.
Lower “Dungeon Level” : 5 theme and furnished rooms, crosses, slings, music, showers, and much more.
* This event is not included in the VIB pass (and must be purchased separately) but VIB ticket holders will get access to both floors PLUS your own exclusive man-cave, (bear-cave?) complete with food, complimentary welcome drinks, videos, King Size bed, private shower, and attendants to cater to your every wish so show your VIB badge when you check in.
Dress code: Leather or fetishwear, gear or anything that you feel sexy in.
Flag what you are looking for or into with coloured hankies!
Location: Host Hotel Bistro
Join your fellow bears in the hotel bistro area for some fun board/card games and conversation.
There will be some snacks provided and beverages (water and soft drinks) can be purchased from the lobby market.
* Anyone can attend this free event. (value: $10)
Did someone say wet fur??
Meet up at Splash Wave Pool (2040 Ogilvie Rd) for a fun pizza party (6:00pm-6:30pm) followed by an enjoyable swim in the wave pool (6:30pm-9:45pm).
The facility also includes a water slide and whirlpool.
The cost is $45 and includes food and beverage including access to the wave pool. To attend you must purchase a ticket.
Note: Free lockers are available but you must bring your own padlock. Towels are not provided so you must bring your own.
This event is included in the VIB package and VIB ticket holders will have exclusive access the shuttle bus service.
The shuttle bus leaves the Courtyard Ottawa Downtown at 5:45pm and there will be continuous bus service until the last return trip leaves the wave pool at 9:45pm.
Splash Wave Pool has plenty of free parking for those who need to drive.
Sunday, October 11
Location: Sky Lounge (73 York Street) upstairs
Start the day off right with a hearty brunch at Sky Lounge followed by a fun bingo game with a grand prize of $250 to the final winner. Your ticket includes two bingo cards and additional cards may be purchased.
Bearlesque performers will entertain and delight you in between bingo games.
*This event is included in the VIB pass.
Location: Hotel bistro and ballroom, lower level
Cost: free
The hotel bistro area will once again host board and card games during the afternoon.
Additionally, we will be screening Where The Bears Are in the lower ballroom so grab a snack and a drink at the hotel’s bistro and join the bears downstairs for a fun afternoon.
Location: Hotel ballroom, lower level
Cost: $30
Theme: Red Hot Bears
Didn’t get enough dancing on Friday night? We’re here to help with that!
Join the bears on the dance floor for some energizing tracks and cool dance moves.
A cash bar will be available for all your beverage needs and there will be a coat check with proceeds going to our chosen charity.
* This event is included if you purchased a VIB ticket.
Monday, October 12
Location: Tucker’s Marketplace (61 York Street)
Cost: $45.
Join us for a survivor’s brunch at Tucker’s Marketplace at 61 York Street only one block away from the host hotel.
Featuring an extensive array of mouth watering breakfast dishes, it’s guaranteed to fill you up and revive your spirits.
The cost will be $45 and includes tax and tip. Coffee or tea are included.
Note: Tickets must be purchased in advance. There will be no tickets at the door.
* This event is NOT included in the VIB package.
Ticket sales will end on October 9 at midnight.
* Note: There will be photographers/videographers circulating during the dance party taking candid shots of attendees. Some of these photos/videos may be used in future promotional materials. If you do not wish to be photographed, please notify the photographer or event volunteers.
* Refund Policy: All purchases except merchandise can be refunded 7 days in advance of the event minus a 3% credit
card processing fee.
Tickets
When purchasing your tickets, be sure to specify the names of the attendees when prompted.
*note: You will not get an electronic ticket. Tickets purchased will be picked up when you check in at the event(s).
Accommodations
Our host hotel is the Courtyard Ottawa Downtown at 350 Dalhousie St and it is right in the heart of the ByWard Market and steps away from dining, shopping and bars. It’s also near public transit (O-Train) and steps away from Parliament Hill and the Rideau Shopping Centre.
The dance parties will take place in the hotel’s ballroom along with many of the other activities that are planned.
Click here to book with our special rate of $189 CAD + tax or contact the hotel directly at 613-241-1000 and mention Bear Frolic.
Note: Our special group rate is only available until October 1.
Merchandise
We will have a limited supply of Bear Frolic branded merchandise available for purchase on-site.
Want to make sure to get yours? Pre-purchase it online and we’ll hold on to it until you check in.