Loading customer reviews…
Customer reviews could not be loaded. Please try again later.
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre stands as the flagship performance space inside Ottawa's National Arts Centre, welcoming audiences to a large, acoustically tuned hall on Elgin Street near the Rideau Canal. Southam Hall at National Arts Centre tickets open the door to orchestral concerts, opera, ballet, touring musical acts, comedy, galas, film-with-live-orchestra presentations, and national cultural events in one of Canada's leading performing arts settings.
This page covers everything you need to know before you go — from finding the right seats to getting there, navigating the venue, and buying with confidence.
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre is the largest performance hall within Ottawa's National Arts Centre, located at 53 Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa. Opened in 1969 as part of the National Arts Centre, the hall seats approximately 2,000 guests and is operated by the National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts, a federal Crown corporation of the Government of Canada. The NAC underwent a major architectural rejuvenation completed in 2017, adding a glass-fronted atrium and improved public spaces facing Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal.
As the permanent home of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Southam Hall at National Arts Centre hosts a broad calendar of symphonic performances, opera, ballet and dance, theatrical productions, touring artists, comedy, galas, and national cultural programming. It is known as the flagship performance space of Canada's premier bilingual performing arts institution and has welcomed major touring orchestras, Broadway-style productions, visiting international artists, and high-profile national ceremonies.
The hall is recognized for its warm acoustics, multi-tier auditorium, and large proscenium stage, with orchestra and balcony seating arranged for concert, theatrical, and dance performances.
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre is located at 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1 — in downtown Ottawa near Confederation Boulevard, the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, and the ByWard Market area.
Transit: Southam Hall at National Arts Centre is well served by OC Transpo buses and is within walking distance of the O-Train Confederation Line. Parliament and Rideau stations are nearby, making transit a practical option for performances in the downtown core.
Driving and Parking: On-site underground parking is available at the National Arts Centre, with additional paid lots and street parking throughout downtown Ottawa. Parking fills on busy performance nights, so early arrival is advised if you plan to drive.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate throughout downtown Ottawa. Drop-off and pickup are convenient along Elgin Street and adjacent downtown streets, though post-event demand can create brief waits after popular performances.
Nearby Accommodation: Numerous downtown hotels are within walking distance, including properties along Elgin Street and near the ByWard Market, Parliament Hill, and the Rideau Canal. Staying downtown offers the easiest access to the venue, dining, and transit.
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre is part of the larger National Arts Centre complex, so understanding the main entrance, lobby layout, and seating levels helps make arrival smoother. The hall is the principal large auditorium within the NAC, with audience areas organized around orchestra and balcony levels.
Entrances and Access: The main entrance faces Elgin Street through the renovated glass atrium, with additional access from the Rideau Canal side. Once inside the NAC complex, patrons move through the internal lobby and concourse areas to reach Southam Hall.
Seating Levels: The auditorium is organized across an orchestra-level main floor and balcony or upper-tier seating, with lobbies and concourses on the atrium and lower levels. All seating is oriented toward the proscenium stage.
Accessibility: The National Arts Centre provides accessible seating, elevators, accessible washrooms, and related services. Accessible entry is available from the main Elgin Street entrance.
Getting to Your Section: Staff and signage direct patrons from the main lobby to orchestra and balcony levels. Arriving early gives you time to move through the multi-hall complex, locate your seating level, and settle in before the performance begins.
The National Arts Centre offers bars and concession service for patrons, along with on-site restaurant and lounge spaces. Alcohol is available to adult guests, and planning extra time before the performance can make it easier to enjoy food or drinks without rushing to your seat.
Downtown Ottawa offers extensive dining options within a short distance of Southam Hall at National Arts Centre. Restaurants along Elgin Street, the Sparks Street pedestrian mall, and the ByWard Market district are convenient choices before or after a performance.
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre maintains security and venue policies that are updated regularly and may vary by event. Before attending, reviewing the current policy on the venue's official website is strongly recommended.
Bag Policy: Large bags may be subject to inspection, and patrons are advised to limit bag size. Coat check is typically available.
Commonly Prohibited Items: Outside food and drink, professional recording or photography equipment, and weapons are typically not permitted. Recording of performances is generally prohibited.
Entry Procedures: Digital and printed tickets are scanned at entry, and bag inspection may apply for certain events. Arriving with a manageable bag and pre-downloaded tickets helps speed up entry.
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre is a major performing arts destination in downtown Ottawa, while the broader Ottawa area offers arenas, theatres, stadiums, arts centres, and outdoor event sites for concerts, sports, festivals, and community programming.
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre ticket prices vary significantly depending on the type of event, the artist or production, seating section, and demand — which is what you'd expect from a venue that hosts everything from NAC Orchestra performances to high-demand touring acts and special events.
For NAC Orchestra and symphonic concerts, tickets can start around CA$35 and typically range up to about CA$120, depending on program, date, and seat location.
For opera, ballet, and large theatrical productions, tickets are often in the CA$50–CA$150 range or more, with prime orchestra and strong-view balcony seats commanding higher prices for major productions.
For high-demand touring acts and special events, prices can run approximately CA$75–CA$200+, especially when marquee performers, limited dates, or premium seat locations drive demand.
Booking earlier generally secures better seat selection and pricing for popular performances. As inventory shrinks and the event date approaches, prices for the best remaining sections can rise, particularly for limited-run productions and marquee events.
> No hidden fees. At Box Office Ticket Sales, the price you see is the price you pay. All fees are shown before checkout — no surprise charges when you reach the final step.
Getting your tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com is fast and secure. Here's how the process works:
Every order is backed by our 100% verified ticket guarantee and on-time delivery promise. Once your order is confirmed, you'll receive an email with your invoice and all event details you need before show night.
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre is a reserved-seating performance hall with an orchestra-level main floor and raised balcony or upper-tier seating. Because the hall is built around a proscenium stage and warm acoustics, seat choice can shape both your view and listening experience.
You can view an interactive seating map for Southam Hall at National Arts Centre events directly on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com while browsing available listings. The map lets you compare sections side by side, check row depth and distance from the stage, and see real-time pricing for what's currently available — all before committing to a purchase.
Yes. The interactive seat map on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com shows your exact section and row placement before you buy. Use it to understand your position in the venue, your distance from the stage, and whether you're on the orchestra-level main floor, in the balcony, or in the upper tier — so the tickets you choose match exactly what you're looking for on event night.
Once your tickets are confirmed, a few practical preparations make your visit run significantly smoother — especially at a downtown Ottawa venue within a multi-hall performing arts complex.
Yes — Box Office Ticket Sales is a fully verified, secure ticketing platform that has served over 1 million customers since 2012. When you buy Southam Hall at National Arts Centre tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com, here's what backs every purchase:
Southam Hall at National Arts Centre events — particularly marquee artists, limited-run productions, and special events — move fast. The best-value listings disappear well before event night, and inventory for popular events tightens quickly once demand builds. If you have a specific event in mind, acting sooner gets you better seats at better prices. Browse Southam Hall at National Arts Centre tickets now and lock in your spot before inventory moves.
Our support team is available before, during, and after your purchase. Reach us through any of these channels: