David Foster & Katharine McPhee Plus Avril Lavigne to Light Up Hard Rock Ottawa

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is putting the final touches on its Grand Opening Weekend, and they’ve just announced a powerhouse musical lineup to match the occasion.

Kicking off the celebrations on Thursday, July 3, Canadian superstar and 17-time Grammy winner David Foster, joined by Katharine McPhee, will christen the new Hard Rock Live venue—a state-of-the-art, 2,200-capacity space designed for unforgettable performances.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Foster has helped shape the sound of pop, R&B, and adult contemporary music, collaborating with the biggest names in the industry. Since 2020, Foster and McPhee have been delighting audiences with iconic songs, McPhee’s powerhouse vocals singing both Broadway favourites and pop standards, accompanied by a sprinkling of storytelling and charming banter with Foster.

Then on Saturday, July 5, none other than Avril Lavigne takes the stage—an international icon whose rebellious spirit and unmistakable voice helped define a generation. Lavigne’s 69-show Greatest Hits Tour across North America and Europe kicked off in May 2024 in Vancouver and wraps up at the end of June, just in time for her return to the stage in Canada’s capital. Her Hard Rock performance promises to be electrifying, igniting the crowd and crowning the weekend with true pop-punk royalty.

“We knew opening weekend had to be unforgettable — and this lineup delivers,” said Christine Crump, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.

Foster and McPhee’s July 3 performance is highly anticipated and has limited public ticket availability. Lavigne’s July 5 concert is a public ticketed show.

“Having David Foster, Katharine McPhee and Avril Lavigne as the first acts to perform on the Hard Rock LIVE stage signals the level of talent this venue is built for,” said Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment and Brand Management at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming.

Sheldon adds, “This lineup is a perfect example of the world-renowned entertainment experiences we plan to bring to Hard Rock fans in Ottawa.”

Tickets for both shows go on sale Friday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.ca.

Full event details and updates available at www.hardrockottawa.com

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa officially opens to the public at 1:00 PM on Thursday, July 3, 2025.