Musical Marble Run!

Part of the DOME-OCRACY Interactive Music Series

What happens when a marble run becomes a musical instrument?

Find out on Saturday, August 1, when Canadensis Garden presents Musical Marble Run, a free, hands-on experience for all ages.

A giant wooden marble run will be set up inside the geodesic dome. As marbles travel through the course, they strike tuned metal chimes, creating melodies along the way. Every marble follows a different path, making each musical experience unique.

Visitors can experiment with different starting points, explore the sounds created by the moving marbles, and discover that making music can be as simple as rolling a marble.

Created by Mixed Metaphors — Jesse Stewart and Matthew Edwards — DOME-OCRACY is a series of free interactive sound experiences at Canadensis Garden. Presented as part of Ottawa 200, the series brings together music, play, creativity, architecture and public space in a welcoming environment designed for curiosity and shared discovery.

No musical experience required.

Event Details

Saturday, August 1, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Canadensis Garden
Hartwells Locks Lane, Ottawa

FREE • All ages welcome

Parking is available off Hartwells Locks Lane. Look for the big white dome under the pines.

Join us!

About DOME-OCRACY
DOME-OCRACY is a series of interactive music experiences presented by Canadensis Garden and Mixed Metaphors as part of Ottawa 200. Throughout the summer, visitors are invited to explore sound, creativity, and participation through a series of unique installations inside the dome at Canadensis Garden.

Upcoming DOME-OCRACY events include:
• Musical Marble Run – August 1
• The Other Rock Music – September 5
• Ottawa Remixed – October 3