Capital Punishment Festival has officially opened submissions for its 2026 edition, set to take place November 26–29 in Ottawa’s ByWard Market.

Presented by Chord Productions and supported by Ottawa Tourism, the third edition of the festival will expand with additional venues and a broader range of acts, continuing its mission to elevate Canada’s underground heavy music scene.

The festival will feature a diverse lineup of national acts and rising local talent across genres including Metal, Punk, Hip Hop, EDM/Goth, Hardcore and Rock.

Canadian bands of all levels—emerging and seasoned—are invited to apply for opening-slot performances.

All genres are welcome, reflecting the festival’s commitment to diverse and high-energy musical expression.

Band applications are now open and can be submitted via this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIrRyohgomSD5AhGghhGtNUK2eC0HT_-Nre7TCJ5vT-2_0BQ/viewform.

Full festival details, including multiple venues and event dates, are available at https://www.chordproductions.com/capital-punishment.html.

The festival has previously featured acts such as Blackguard, First Fragment, Lutharo, Spectral Wound, Martyr, and Dopethrone, establishing a strong foundation for the underground heavy music community in Canada."