Bear Frolic 2026 Expands to five days of Bear Community, Music, and Celebration in Ottawa
Bear Frolic is back and bigger than ever with the expansion of events across five days, get the details below!
The Ottawa Bears are proud to announce that Bear Frolic 2026 will return on October 8th through the 12th with its biggest and most ambitious weekend yet!
Celebrating bears, admirers, and the broader LGBTQ+ community, this year’s event expands into a full five-day Canadian Thanksgiving weekend celebration featuring more parties, social events, entertainment, and opportunities to connect than ever before.
Held in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa, Bear Frolic has become a must-attend destination for bears and bear enthusiasts looking for a welcoming weekend filled with friendship, fun, and unforgettable memories. The 2026 edition promises to deliver the same community spirit attendees have come to love while introducing exciting new experiences.
“We’ve heard from our community that they wanted more Frolic, and we’re excited to deliver,” said Joel Smith, events coordinator with Ottawa Bears. “Bear Frolic has always been about creating a place where everyone can come together, make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and celebrate what makes the bear community so special.”
New Experiences Added for 2026
This year’s expanded schedule introduces several new events, including:
- A new afternoon tea dance, giving guests another chance to hit the dance floor and socialize.
- A special partnership with Illuminaughty, bringing an exclusive afternoon play party at a private club located just steps from the host hotel.
- Additional social opportunities throughout the weekend, creating even more ways for attendees to meet and connect.
Returning favourites will also include:
- The popular Mr. Ottawa Bear competition, where a new titleholder will be crowned.
- The legendary Bear Frolic dance party, featuring music from acclaimed DJ Dis Moi Oui.
- The much-loved wave pool excursion and pizza party.
- Group meals and community gatherings throughout the weekend.
A Weekend Built Around Community
More than just a party weekend, Bear Frolic celebrates the diversity and spirit of the bear community.
Attendees from across Canada, the United States, and beyond gather each year in Ottawa to enjoy a welcoming environment where friendships are formed and memories are made.
The VIB (Very Important Bear) ticket offers the best way to experience the weekend, providing access to nearly the entire event schedule for one affordable package price.
Bear Frolic 2026 takes place October 8–12, 2026, during Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Guests are encouraged to reserve accommodations early and secure their tickets before availability becomes limited.
For tickets, schedule information, and updates, visit:
About Ottawa Bears
The Ottawa Bears is a group of Bears and Bear admirers located in the Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Québec region of Canada.
The group organizes get togethers and social events for the bear community to promote a more positive body image among large and/or furry gay men and to promote bear culture within the gay and straight communities of the greater Ottawa region.
We welcome people of all types –big or small, furry or smooth, bear or admirer– who like the company of bears.
As a community organization, Ottawa Bears is dedicated to bringing together bears, bear admirers, and LGBTQ+ friends through social events, celebrations, and opportunities to build connection and community in Ottawa and beyond.
