Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum

Easter at the Bunker
2024-03-30 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Spring has sprung! You’re invited to burrow underground and join our groundhog Bunker Buddy, Pudge, for some family fun at the Diefenbunker’s annual spring event.
See what treats the Easter Bunny has left behind for you as you explore our four-storey Cold War bunker while searching for signs of spring. Decorate an egg at our craft station, plant some seeds to take home with you, and snap a few photos in our themed photo booth. You can also participate in our visual scavenger hunt and other games including giant Jenga, a bean bag toss, and pin the tail on the bunny. Don’t forget to pick up your goodie bag along the way!
Hop on over to the Diefenbunker — we’re egg-cited to see you!
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024
Time:
> Entry time slots are every 15 minutes beginning at 10:00 a.m.
> The last entry time is 2:00 p.m. and the museum closes at 3:00 p.m.
> Please arrive during your scheduled entry time. If you miss your entry time, you may need to wait outside the museum due to capacity limits.
Admission:
> $12 per person; Infants 2 and under are free.
> Tickets must be purchased in advance, as there are designated time slots and limited spots available.
> Parking is always free!
Details:
> All items on the scavenger hunt are visual and do not involve picking up or holding any objects. There are no physical eggs or chocolates in the scavenger hunt. Any treats provided are in the goodie bags which will be given out at the end of your visit (nut-free, and while supplies last).
> Please note that the multiple levels, stairs, and narrow hallways in the Diefenbunker make the museum difficult to navigate with a stroller. We recommend bringing a baby carrier instead, if this is a feasible option for you.
>> Book your tickets

*The museum will not be open for general admission on Saturday, March 30; only to those with tickets for Easter at the Bunker.
*On Good Friday, March 29, we will be open for general admission from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with extra English and French tour times available. We highly recommend you book your Easter weekend tickets in advance.

Doors Open Ottawa at the Diefenbunker
2024-06-01 10:00 - 15:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
By reservation only, the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum will be opening its blast doors to visitors for FREE for Doors Open Ottawa on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Book your tickets for a free Highlights Tour, which will cover key areas in the Diefenbunker like the Blast Tunnel, the War Cabinet Room, and the Prime Minister’s Suite — ideal for first-time visitors to the museum! Tours will last approximately 30 minutes.
Details:
– Tickets must be reserved in advance, as there are designated entry times and limited spots available. No walk-up visitors will be admitted.
– Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your designated entry time for the start of the tour. Late arrivals may not be admitted.
– Highlights Tours are offered in English, with select French tours available.
– There will be no option for general admission or self-guided exploration of the museum — only the scheduled Highlights Tours.
– The Gift Shop will be open. We also encourage you to check out the free Interpretive Trail outside the museum.
Cost:
– While admission is free on June 1 for Doors Open Ottawa, we welcome donations to support our unique museum, national historic site, and independent charitable organization.
We look forward to welcoming you underground!

The Diefenbunker is Canada’s most significant surviving Cold War artifact — it is an impressive four-storey underground facility that operated as the country’s central communications headquarters during the Cold War, ready at any moment in case of a nuclear attack.
Today, it is a one-of-a-kind museum and national historic site, preserving important Canadian Cold War stories and artifacts and welcoming visitors from all around the world. The Diefenbunker is a remarkable immersive history destination, offering a window into the past through award-winning exhibitions, tours, programs, events, and escape rooms.
Descend into history, 75 feet underground, and discover unforgettable experiences.

Dief the Chief: October ’62
2024-06-14 16:30 - 21:30 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
See 2025 dates here
Dief the Chief: October ’62 is making its return this summer!
Join us this Father’s Day weekend as we welcome actor Pierre Brault in this touring play throughout the Diefenbunker that blends storytelling and history in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, 75 feet underground.
Dates
– Friday, June 14 & Saturday, June 15
– Friday, July 26 & Saturday, July 27
– Friday, August 16 & Saturday, August 17
Showtimes
On each of the six days, the play will have three showings. The play runs for one hour.
– 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
– 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
– 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tickets
– $55.00 per show
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
About the production
It’s October 1962. Relive the heart-stopping story of the Cuban Missile Crisis through the eyes of Canada’s 13th Prime Minister, John “Dief the Chief” Diefenbaker. Travel with “Dief the Chief” through the Diefenbunker into the War Cabinet Room as he and the world watch the USA and USSR face off in history’s closest brush with nuclear war. Hear in his own words how “Dief the Chief’s” rocky relationship with President John F. Kennedy played an extraordinary role in Canadian and American relations and how each influenced the other’s policies.
Join “Dief the Chief” as he navigates his way through the ultimate crisis that could see neighbours on both sides fight a nuclear war with Canada, literally in the middle. The personal cost to him will be great as he deals with a demanding president, a divided cabinet, and a fierce opposition.
Written and performed by Pierre Brault with Peter Haworth as John Diefenbaker. This play is an artistic interpretation of historical events.
Pierre Brault is an Ottawa-based multi-award-winning actor, playwright, and stand-up comedian. He is best known for his solo plays Will Somers: Keeping your Hear, Portrait of an Unidentified Man, 5 O’clock Bells, and Blood on the Moon. Pierre has toured his productions across Canada and abroad to Ireland and New Zealand, and he has also worked extensively in film, television, and radio.
We look forward to raising the curtain once again for Dief the Chief: October ’62.

>> RESERVE YOUR TICKETS
BONUS: On the same day as your chosen showtime, receive FREE general admission to the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum and explore the site during the museum’s operational hours.
Questions? Please email reservations@diefenbunker.ca.

Refunds can be requested for approval in writing to reservations@diefenbunker.ca.

Cancellations are accepted without penalty if they are communicated at least two weeks in advance of the performance ticket date. Within two weeks, a 50% cancellation fee will apply. Within 48 hours of performance ticket date, no refunds or exchanges will be granted.
No refunds or exchanges will be granted for no-shows or late arrivals.
Emergency cancellations are subject to the approval of our Operations Manager.

50% off admission on July 1
2024-07-01 10:00 - 15:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum will be opening its blast doors with discounted admission for visitors on Monday, July 1, 2024.
Date: Monday, July 1, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with designated entry time slots every 15 minutes. The last entry time slot is at 2:00 p.m.
Cost: Discounted admission at 50% off the regular ticketed price.
Details:
– Tickets must be reserved in advance, as there are designated entry time slots and limited spots available. Due to capacity, walk-up visitors may not be admitted.
– Explore the museum and enjoy family-friendly activities like our outdoor obstacle course and indoor scavenger hunt.
– There will be no guided tours available, only self-guided exploration of the museum.
– Our free nine-language Audio Guide can be accessed on your own device using the museum’s Wi-Fi. No Audio Guide devices will be available at the museum.
– We also encourage you to check out the free Interpretive Trail outside the museum.
>> RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

Land Acknowledgement:
The Diefenbunker was built on the traditional unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People, whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.
The Diefenbunker Museum acknowledges the ongoing legacy of harm to Indigenous people in Canada and the adverse impacts of the Cold War on Indigenous communities. The museum is committed to contributing to the Calls to Action set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically numbers 67 to 70 related to museums and archives. We endeavour to increase the representation of important Indigenous histories, perspectives, and languages in our Cold War content, and to ensure respectful interpretation in our spaces. We are continually working to develop close and collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities, whether locally, provincially, or nationally.
We hope you join us in learning from our past as we build our collective future.

2024 Cold War Speaker Series: Women in Canada’s Cold War Military
2024-09-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
We invite you to join us this fall for the Diefenbunker’s Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on Cold War themes and events.
Event 1
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Live at the Diefenbunker
Cost: Free
Topic: Women in Canada’s Cold War Military
Moderator: Karen McCrimmon, MPP Kanata—Carleton
Panelists:
>> Deanna (Dee) M. Brasseur, Major (retired) CM CD2
>> Senator Rebecca Patterson, Rear-Admiral (retired) OMM MSM CD
Details:
– Hosted in person at the Diefenbunker. Registration is required.
– Includes a presentation followed by a Q&A.
– Light fare and refreshments will be provided.
– Session will be recorded for educational purposes and made available after the event.
>> REGISTER NOW

Overview
The integration of women into Canada’s military forces was slow and marked by significant challenges during the Cold War, with the effects still visible today. In 2023, women made up only 16.5% of Canada’s military.
This panel discussion will feature servicewomen who entered the Canadian Forces during and following the Cold War, a tumultuous time within Canada’s military structure. Their insights and stories will explore the struggles and triumphs of women in Canada’s military, and what the future will hold with the hopes of increasing representation of women in the Canadian Armed Forces.
About the speakers
Karen McCrimmon (Moderator)
Karen A. McCrimmon is the member of provincial parliament (MPP) for Kanata—Carleton. She previously served as the Member of Parliament for Kanata—Carleton from 2015 to 2021. After a 31-year military career, Karen retired as a lieutenant colonel. She was the first female navigator and the first woman to command a Canadian Forces air force squadron.
Karen was born in Weston, Ontario and grew up in Timmins, and Windsor, Ontario. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Windsor in Russian and linguistics, and originally wanted to work in Canada’s diplomatic corps. Karen joined the Regular Force in 1980 and became an air navigator, the first female to gain such a qualification. In 1995, she was made a member of the Order of Military Merit. She did a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2004 where she was responsible for NATO Airlift Co-ordination. She retired from the Forces in 2006.
As a Member of Parliament, Karen served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation. She was also Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence.
Deanna (Dee) M. Brasseur (Panelist)
Dee Brasseur enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1972 as an Administrative Clerk. Commissioned in 1973 under the Officer Candidate Training Program as an Air Weapons controller. When the Canadian Forces announced a trial program in 1979 to employ women in the pilot career field, Dee volunteered and successfully graduated as one of the first three women to earn their wings in 1981.
She was the first woman jet pilot instructor assigned to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2CFFTS), Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (1981-85) and the first woman pilot to be awarded a Flight Commander position as the T-33 Flight Commander with Base Flight Cold Lake, Alberta (1986-88).
In 1988 Brasseur was one of the first two women pilots selected to train as jet fighter pilots. She progressed through 419 Squadron Basic Fighter Training on the CF-5 Freedom Fighter, and 410 Squadron Operational Training Unit to fly the CF-18 Hornet. She served as a line pilot and Squadron Plans Officer with 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cold Lake, Alberta (1989-90). Major Brasseur was then assigned as the first woman Military Aircraft Accident Investigator, and became the Senior Staff Officer at the Department of National Defence Headquarters responsible for supervising all Canadian Forces Jet Trainers and Fighter Aircraft.
Recognized on several occasions, Dee was honoured to plant a Canadian Maple Tree in the 99’s International Forest of Friendship in 1998; inducted into Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2007; recognized by the Northern Lights Aero Foundation as a Canadian Pioneer in Aviation and officially recognized by the government for her contributions in Canadian aviation, she was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in February 1999.
Rebecca Patterson (Panelist)
Rear-Admiral (Retired) The Honourable Rebecca Patterson, OMM MSM CD, is a 34-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran.
As a provider and executive health leader, she worked in military healthcare delivery, education, training, and operational and strategic planning, both at home and on international deployments. On promotion to Flag (General) Officer, she was the first person with a military nursing background ever to lead at that rank.
Senator Patterson has led in many different domains in the Canadian Armed Forces, from serving as the Defence Champion for Women, addressing sexual misconduct and leading culture change efforts in the Forces, to commanding Canada’s 14th health system, the Canadian Forces Health Service at the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. She has also been a strong advocate to transform the culture, eliminate harmful behaviour, and re-establish public trust in the Canadian military.
Senator Patterson was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2014, and was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Military Merit in 2018. She is also the recipient of numerous other honours and awards, including the Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in Health Sciences for Ontario College Graduates, and the Niagara College Canada Distinguished Alumni Award.
The first military veteran who is a woman appointed to the Senate of Canada, Senator Patterson serves as Deputy Leader of the Canadian Senators Group, is a Member of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs and is Chair of the Sub-committee on Veterans Affairs. Senator Patterson provides a voice for those who serve, and have served, in the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. She is an active supporter of Canada’s role in NATO and serves on the Executive Committee of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association, fostering parliamentarians’ understanding of the security issues and concerns of member nations. Senator Patterson lives in Ottawa with her family.

Interested in sponsoring this event? Your support enables us to continue offering these events for free. See the opportunities here.

Learn more about the other events in the 2024 Cold War Speaker Series!
October 17, 2024: Canada and the US in the early Cold War
November 14, 2024: Canada and NATO during the Cold War

2024 Cold War Speaker Series: Canada and the US in the early Cold War
2024-10-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual, Virtual
We invite you to join us this fall for the Diefenbunker’s Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on Cold War themes and events.
Event 2
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Time: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Topic: Canada and the US in the early Cold War
Speaker: Dr. Asa McKercher
Details:
– Hosted virtually on Zoom. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
– Includes a presentation followed by a Q&A.
– Session will be recorded for educational purposes and made available after the event.
>> REGISTER NOW

Overview
Getting into Bed with the Elephant: Canada-US Relations in the Early Cold War
This talk will give an overview of Canada’s political relationship with United States during the early era of the Cold War (1945-1965), of how both governments worked together during the crises of the era, and how the legacy of the period can be felt today we see another election year in the United States.
About the speaker
Asa McKercher (PhD, Cambridge) is Stanley K. Hudson Research Chair in Canada-US Relations and Associate Professor at the Mulroney Institute of Government, St. Francis Xavier University. His books include Building a Special Relationship: Canada-US Relations in the Eisenhower Era, 1953-1961 (UBC Press, 2024) and Camelot and Canada: Canadian-American Relations in the Kennedy Era (Oxford, 2016), as well as the edited collections North of America: Canadians and the American Century, 1945-61 (UBC Press, 2023) and Mike’s World: Lester B. Pearson and Canadian External Affairs (UBC Press, 2017). He is Editor-in-Chief of International Journal, Canada’s journal of global policy analysis. A specialist in Canada-US relations, Canadian foreign policy, US foreign policy, and North American political and cultural history, he has previously taught at Queen’s University, McMaster University, and the Royal Military College of Canada.

Neptunium Sponsor

Media Sponsor
Ottawa Citizen

Learn more about the other events in the 2024 Cold War Speaker Series!
September 12, 2024: Women in Canada’s Cold War Military
November 14, 2024: Canada and NATO during the Cold War
Interested in sponsoring the Speaker Series? Headline sponsor opportunities are available. Your support enables us to continue offering these events for free. See the opportunities here.

Toddlers’ Halloween Hunt
2024-10-23 09:00 - 2024-10-25 12:30 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Our annual Toddlers’ Halloween Hunt is back! Bring your little ones for a day of fun to get them into the Halloween spirit.
Come dressed in your favourite costume and explore hidden Halloween surprises in our 100,000-square-foot underground bunker that will be decked out for the occasion.
Enjoy the fun atmosphere, music, decorations, and perfect photo ops as you search throughout the bunker to find treats, crafts, and other themed activities. Take home a photo printout as a memento, courtesy of Flash Photobooth Ottawa.
You won’t want to miss out on this fa-boo-lous event!
Date: Wednesday, October 23 to Friday, October 25, 2024
Time: Reserve your tickets in advance, as there are designated time slots and limited spots available. Entry time slots are every 30 minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The event ends at 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $12 per person; Children 5 years old and under are free. Parking is always free!
>> Reserve your tickets
Interested in sponsoring this event? See the opportunities here.

*Please note that the multiple levels, stairs, and narrow hallways in the Diefenbunker make the museum difficult to navigate with a stroller, and there is no elevator available for public use. While there is an accessible stair lift, we recommend bringing a baby carrier instead of a stroller, if this is a feasible option for you. Learn more about accessibility.
*The museum will be closed for general admission during this event and will re-open at 12:30 p.m.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
NEPTUNIUM

Thanks to Flash Photobooth Ottawa for their photobooth services and to Zak’s Diner for stocking the treat bags.

2024 Cold War Speaker Series: Canada and NATO during the Cold War
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual, Virtual
We invite you to join us this fall for the Diefenbunker’s Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on Cold War themes and events.
Event 3
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Topic: Canada and NATO during the Cold War
Speaker: Dr. Susan Colbourn
Details:
– Hosted virtually on Zoom. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
– Includes a presentation followed by a Q&A.
– Session will be recorded for educational purposes and made available after the event.
This event is made possible through the support of CSS Building Inc.
>> REGISTER NOW

Overview
Canada and NATO: Past, Present, and Future
This talk will consider Canada’s role in the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the evolution of Ottawa’s relationship with the alliance throughout the Cold War, and NATO’s role in Canadian foreign policy today.
This event is in recognition of the 75th anniversary of NATO, established on April 4, 1949.
About the speaker
Dr. Susan Colbourn is Associate Director of the Program in American Grand Strategy and Associate Research Professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. A historian of international relations since 1945, she has written widely about transatlantic relations, nuclear weapons, and the past and present of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). She is the author of Euromissiles: The Nuclear Weapons That Nearly Destroyed NATO (Cornell University Press, 2022).

Headline Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Learn more about the other events in the 2024 Cold War Speaker Series!
September 12, 2024: Women in Canada’s Cold War Military
October 17, 2024: Canada and the US in the early Cold War
Interested in sponsoring the Speaker Series? Your support enables us to continue offering these events for free.
See the opportunities here.

Whisky Tasting Fundraiser
2024-11-16 18:30 - 21:30 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Our signature annual Whisky Tasting Fundraiser returns to the Diefenbunker again this year on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Descend into history and join us 75 feet underground for an evening of tasteful pairings: themed whisky samples and light fare to cleanse the palate.
Savour unique flavours and a slice of the past, while contributing to our preservation of Canada’s most significant Cold War artifact and an important platform to share lessons from a critical period of recent world history.
Creative whisky selections, inspired by the decades of the Cold War, are thoughtfully prepared by the local Savvy Company and will be introduced by their sommelier. Delectable paired dishes are provided by The Swan at Carp. Experience the immersive historic spaces of the Diefenbunker while perusing a silent auction featuring items from local businesses and while taking pictures in a retro photo booth.
Tickets
Individual: $150.00
> Four whisky and food pairings
> Access to full cash bar
> $90 tax receipt
Designated driver: $90.00
> Four food plates
> Two drink tickets for non-alcoholic beverages
> Access to non-alcoholic beverages at the cash bar
> $45 tax receipt
Full table: $1,080.00
> Seating for 8
> Four whisky and food pairings per person
> Access to full cash bar
> $630 tax receipt
*A limited number of full tables are available.
Event Details
6:30 p.m. Doors open and guests can explore the museum.
6:45 p.m. Seating begins in the historic Cafeteria space, and the cash bar opens.
7:00 p.m. Formal event begins, with sommelier-led whisky and food pairings being served.
9:00 p.m. Serving ends. Silent auction remains open.
9:30 p.m. Event ends.
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
>> RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

What cause am I supporting?
A portion of your ticket for this fundraising event is a donation to the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum. Ticket purchasers will be issued a tax receipt after the event for this donation — $90 for individual tickets, $45 for designated driver tickets, and $630 for full table tickets.
As a one-of-a-kind museum, national historic site, and independent charitable organization, the Diefenbunker is a remarkable immersive history destination, telling stories of national and international importance. The four-storey underground facility operated as the country’s central communications headquarters during the Cold War, ready at any moment in case of a nuclear attack. It is now Canada’s most significant surviving Cold War artifact, offering an important platform to spark meaningful conversations in response to our changing world.
With your help, we can preserve this important window into the past and continue to share lessons for present and future generations to strive to build a more peaceful future. Your support through our signature fundraising event will contribute to our preservation and conservation efforts, along with our ability to offer high-quality exhibitions and educational programs to visitors year-round.

Whisky selections
Whisky selections are inspired by the decades of the Cold War. Guests will be served 0.5 oz of each whisky. Tasting order and selections are subject to change.
> Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland, best-selling whisky of the 1960s (bold, smokey)
> Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt, Scotland, had its heyday in 1970 (dried fruit, ripe red apple)
> Jefferson’s Bourbon, United States, founded in 1997 (medium-bodied, sweet)
> Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland, first blended in 2003 (vanilla, marmalade, crème brulée aromas)
Food pairings include dishes with pulled pork, grilled salmon, roasted potatoes, a chocolate dessert, and other tasty bites.
Silent auction
Alongside unique prizes from the Diefenbunker including a museum membership and private tour of the Machine Room, we are pleased to feature incredible offers from local businesses in the event’s silent auction. Thank you to:
> Brookstreet Hotel
> Ottawa REDBLACKS
> Escape Manor
> The Merry Dairy
> Maverick’s Donut Company
> House of TARG
> Black Squirrel Books & Espresso
> Equator Coffee Roasters
> Mayfair Theatre
> Lost Baggage Musical Theatre
> Algonquin Commons Theatre
> Carleton Musical Theatre Society
Take home a piece of history
As a featured item in the event’s silent auction, we are offering you an exclusive opportunity to have your very own piece of Cold War history: a vintage Eames-style chair.
Seen throughout the Diefenbunker, these iconic chairs were originally designed by Americans Charles and Ray Eames in the 1950s as a staple piece of furniture that was practical yet fashionable, sturdy yet light, and that could be mass-produced. Since the original fibreglass design, the Eames brothers have produced several different models and styles of chairs that can still be found in homes and offices around the world.
While the chairs in the silent auction are not artifacts of the bunker, they do represent an aspect of North American culture during Cold War era and give us a glimpse into what life was like at the time. By taking home one of these stylish pieces from the Diefenbunker’s storage, you are supporting our ability to continue stewarding the expansion of our collections and our preservation efforts.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SUPPORTERS
RADIUM LEVEL SPONSORS

SOMMELIER AND WHISKY SELECTIONS

FOOD CURATION

NEPTUNIUM LEVEL SPONSORS

Interested in sponsoring this event? See the opportunities here.

Snowflake Scavenger Hunt | Chasse au trésor des flocons de neige
2025-01-31 00:00 - 2025-02-16 00:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Stay warm and explore our 100,000-square-foot underground museum as you search for snowflakes and other signs of winter in our Snowflake Scavenger Hunt.
Families will be given a guide for a visual scavenger hunt, with three levels of difficulty to suit all abilities.
This event is included in the cost of museum admission.
Friday, January 31 – Sunday, February 16, 2024 During the museum’s operational hours
Plan your visit

Réchauffez-vous et explorez un musée souterrain de 9290 m2 à la recherche des flocons de neige et d’autres symboles de l’hiver dans notre Chasse au trésor des flocons de neige.
Les familles seront fournies d’un guide pour un chasse au trésor visuel avec trois niveaux de difficulté pour convenir à toute capacité.
Cet événement est compris avec l’entrée générale au musée.
Le vendredi 31 janvier au dimanche 16 février, 2024 Pendant les heures d’ouverture du musée
Planifiez votre visite

Winterlude 2025: Indigenous Craft Workshop | Atelier d’artisanat autochtone
2025-02-01 11:00 - 14:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Appreciate the diversity of Indigenous cultures through an interactive workshop where you’ll create a traditional Indigenous craft, facilitated by Makatew Workshops.
The Diefenbunker values art as a means for expressing important personal connections with our history and its impacts that are still present today. Participate in a hands-on, educational workshop where you’ll assemble a traditional Indigenous craft — a medicine bag — while learning about its history and significance. As you craft, topics like truth and reconciliation and cultural appropriation vs. appreciation will be introduced, in an open environment to ask questions.
This event is in collaboration with Makatew Workshops. Advance registration is required, as spots are limited. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is included in the cost of museum admission. The Diefenbunker offers free admission to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals.
Workshop 1: 11:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Workshop 2: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Reserve tickets

Appréciez la diversité des cultures autochtones à travers un atelier interactif où vous créerez un artisanat autochtone traditionnel, animé par Makatew Workshops.
Le Diefenbunker valorise l’art en tant que moyen d’exprimer des liens personnels avec notre histoire et les impacts qui sont encore présents. Participez à un atelier éducatif où vous créerez un artisanat autochtone traditionnel — un petit sac de médecine — en apprenant à propos de la vérité et de la réconciliation et les cultures autochtones. C’est un environnement ouvert et accueillant pour discuter et poser des questions.
Cet événement est en collaboration avec Makatew Workshops. Une inscription est requise, car les places sont limitées. Tout enfant doit être accompagné par un adulte.
Cet événement est compris avec l’entrée générale au musée. Le Diefenbunker offre l’entrée gratuite pour les Premières Nations, les Inuit et les Métis.
Atelier 1: 11 h 00 à 12 h 30
Atelier 2: 12 h 30 à 14 h 00
Reservez des billets

Other Winterlude events at the Diefenbunker | Autres événements de Winterlude au Diefenbunker
Meet the artist of “Hidden Heroes” exhibition | Rencontrez l’artiste de l’exposition « Héros méconnus »
Diefenbunker Winter Carnival | Le carnaval d’hiver du Diefenbunker

Winterlude 2025: “Hidden Heroes” of the Cold War | « Héros méconnus » de l’histoire
2025-02-08 14:00 - 2025-02-09 14:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Meet with 2024 Artist-in-Residence Don Kwan at the Diefenbunker Museum to learn about the exhibition “Hidden Heroes”.
“Hidden Heroes” weaves together stories of unsung heroes, through intricate sculptures that highlight diverse narratives from our history.
Experience this exhibition and discover the meanings behind the artwork in a talk with artist Don Kwan, the Diefenbunker’s 2024 Artist-in-Residence. You’ll participate in an engaging presentation and walkthrough of the exhibition, plus a Q&A.
This event is included in the cost of museum admission. Advance registration is required, as spots are limited.
Tour 1: Saturday, February 8, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Tour 2: Sunday, February 9, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Reserve tickets

Rencontrez l’artiste en résidence de 2024, Don Kwan, au Diefenbunker pour en apprendre davantage sur l’exposition « Héroïnes et héros méconnus ».
« Héroïnes et héros méconnus » tisse et assemble des histoires de héros méconnus, à travers des sculptures complexes qui mettent en lumière les récits divers de notre histoire.
Explorez cette exposition et découvrir le sens des œuvres par une discussion avec l’artiste Don Kwan, l’artiste en résidence du Diefenbunker de 2024. Écoutez une présentation, parcourez l’exposition et poser des questions à l’artiste.
Cet événement est compris avec l’entrée générale au musée. Une inscription est requise, car les places sont limitées.
Visite guideé 1 : samedi 8 février, 14 h 00 à 15 h 00
Visite guidée 2 : dimanche 9 février, 13 h 00 à 14 h 00
Reservez des billets

Other Winterlude events at the Diefenbunker | Autres événements de Winterlude au Diefenbunker
Indigenous Craft Workshop | Atelier d’artisanat autochone
Diefenbunker Winter Carnival | Le carnaval d’hiver du Diefenbunker

Winterlude 2025: Diefenbunker Winter Carnival | Le carnaval d’hiver du Diefenbunker
2025-02-15 12:30 - 15:00 | Outdoor Rink, Huntley Community Association, 108 Juanita Ave, Carp, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
UPDATE: Activities at the Huntley Community Centre and outdoor rink have been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience. You can still enjoy Winterlude activities at the Diefenbunker, including a Snowflake Scavenger Hunt and a temporary exhibit on the historic CFS Carp Winter Carnival.

Delight in winter traditions with ice skating and an exhibit on the Diefenbunker’s historic Winter Carnival.
During its time as a military base, the Diefenbunker held an annual Winter Carnival. Participate in these historic activities, with a modern twist as you lace up your skates for a day of fun at the outdoor rink. Take a break to explore a temporary exhibit highlighting the stories and traditions of the historic Winter Carnival.
All activities are free. This event is in collaboration with the Huntley Community Association.
Time: 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Outdoor Rink, Huntley Community Association
108 Juanita Ave, Carp, ON K0A 1L0

Participez à des traditions hivernales avec le patinage et une exposition à propos du carnaval d’hiver historique du Diefenbunker.
À l’époque où il servait de base militaire, le Diefenbunker organisait un carnaval d’hiver annuel. Lacez vos patins pour faire du patinage sur la patinoire extérieure. Explorez une exposition temporaire qui présente les histoires et les traditions du carnaval d’hiver historique.
Les activités sont gratuites. Cet événement est en collaboration avec Huntley Community Association.
Horaire : 12 h 30 à 15 h 00
Endroit : Patinoire extérieure, Huntley Community Centre
108 av Juanita, Carp, ON K0A 1L0

Other Winterlude events at the Diefenbunker | Autres événements de Winterlude au Diefenbunker
Indigenous Craft Workshop | Atelier d’artisanat autochtone
Meet the artist of “Hidden Heroes” exhibition | Rencontrez l’artiste de l’exposition « Héros méconnus »

March Break at the Diefenbunker
2025-03-05 10:00 - 2025-03-16 15:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
This March Break, descend into history and immerse yourself in stories from the past. Explore a four-storey underground bunker and former Cold War communications headquarters at the Diefenbunker.
> Participate in family-friendly activities including a hands-on craft, deciphering codes, and a scavenger hunt
> Walk through historic spaces using a ten-language audio guide or on a guided tour
> Journey through key moments in Canada’s history in interactive exhibitions
> Challenge your family and friends to beat the clock in an escape room
Open every day of the week between Wednesday, March 5 and Sunday, March 16:
Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Weekends: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
All ages are welcome. Most activities are included with general admission (book guided tours and escape rooms separately). Free on-site parking.
>> BOOK YOUR TICKETS

Cette année pendant le congé de mars, descendez dans l’histoire et plongez dans les histoires du passé. Explorez un bunker souterraine de quatre étages et un quartier général des communications de la Guerre froide au Diefenbunker.
> Faites du bricolage, déchiffrez des codes ou participez à une chasse au trésor
> Marchez autour des espaces historiques en utilisant un audioguide disponible en dix langues ou s’inscrire à une visite guidée
> Explorez des moments importants dans l’histoire du Canada dans les expositions interactives
> Défiez votre famille et vos amis à une salle d’évasion
Ouvert tous les jours entre le 5 et le 16 mars :
les jours de semaine : 10 h 00 à 16 h 00
les weekends : 10 h 00 à 15 h 00
Tous âges sont les bienvenus. La plupart des activités sont comprises avec l’entrée générale au musée (réservez les visites guidées et les salles d’évasion séparément). Le stationnement est gratuit.
>> RÉSERVEZ VOS BILLETS

Easter at the Bunker 2025
2025-04-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Spring has sprung! Join us underground at the Diefenbunker for some springtime family fun.
You’re invited to explore our four-storey Cold War bunker while searching for signs of spring. Participate in our scavenger hunt for camouflaged Easter eggs and flowers, decorate a butterfly or an egg at our craft station, and find small treats along the way. You can also take home a memento of the day with a fun photo booth.
This year, our groundhog Bunker Buddy, Pudge, has brought a friend! Keep an eye out for a special visitor looking to collect the eggs they left behind.
Hop on over to the Diefenbunker — we’re egg-cited to see you!

Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with designated entry time slots

Entry time slots are every 15 minutes beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The last entry time is 2:00 p.m. and the museum closes at 3:00 p.m.
Please arrive during your scheduled entry time. If you miss your entry time, you may need to wait outside the museum due to capacity limits.

Admission:

$13 per person; Infants 2 and under are free.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, as there are designated entry time slots and limited spots available.
Parking is always free!

Details:

Upon arrival, you will receive information on the activities.
All items on the scavenger hunt are visual and do not involve picking up or holding any objects. There are no physical eggs or chocolates in the scavenger hunt. Any treats provided are found at activity stations throughout the museum (nut-free, and while supplies last).
Between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., you can take your photo in a photobooth, courtesy of Enchanted Booth! They’re the city’s one-stop shop for photo booth rental in Ottawa. Be sure to stop by their booth for a fun photo (or two!) and take home some digital memories.
Please note that the multiple levels, stairs, and narrow hallways in the Diefenbunker can make the museum difficult to navigate with a stroller. We recommend bringing a baby carrier instead, if this is a feasible option for you. Learn more about accessibility.

>> BOOK YOUR TICKETS

*The museum will not be open for general admission on Saturday, April 19; only to those with tickets for Easter at the Bunker.
*On Good Friday, April 18, we will be open for general admission and guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We highly recommend you book your Easter weekend tickets in advance.

2025 Doors Open Ottawa at the Diefenbunker
2025-06-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
By reservation only, the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum will be open to visitors for free Highlights Tours for Doors Open Ottawa on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Book your tickets for a free 30-minute Highlights Tour, which will cover key areas in the Diefenbunker like the Blast Tunnel, the War Cabinet Room, and the Prime Minister’s Suite — ideal for first-time visitors to the museum!
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 (one day only!)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with designated entry time slots for each tour

Entry time slots are every 15 minutes beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The last entry time is 2:15 p.m.

Admission: Free

Tickets must be reserved in advance, as there are designated entry time slots and limited spots available
Parking is always free!

Details:

There will be no option for general admission or self-guided exploration of the museum this day — only the scheduled Highlights Tours.
Due to capacity and demand, tickets must be reserved in advance. Walk-up visitors may not be admitted.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your designated entry time for the start of the tour. Late arrivals may not be admitted.
Highlights Tours are offered in English, with select French tours available.
The Gift Shop will be open to explore after your tour.
We encourage you to check out the free Interpretive Trail outside the museum before or after your tour.
Outdoor toilets are available in the museum parking lot for public use. Fully accessible washrooms are available inside the museum.

While admission is free on June 7 for Doors Open Ottawa, we welcome donations to support our unique museum, national historic site, and independent charitable organization.
We look forward to welcoming you underground!
>> RESERVE TICKETS

Descend into history, 75 feet underground, and discover unforgettable experiences.
The Diefenbunker is Canada’s most significant surviving Cold War artifact — it is an impressive four-storey underground facility that operated as the country’s central communications headquarters during the Cold War, ready at any moment in case of a nuclear attack.
Today, it is a one-of-a-kind museum and national historic site, preserving important Canadian Cold War stories and artifacts and welcoming visitors from all around the world. The Diefenbunker is a remarkable immersive history destination, offering a window into the past through award-winning exhibitions, tours, programs, events, and escape rooms.
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The City of Ottawa is proud to present Doors Open Ottawa — a free annual architectural event that celebrates our community’s built heritage. Learn more about 2025 Doors Open Ottawa.

Refuge of Meaning: Live performance by the Re:Imagine Collective
2025-06-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Experience a unique musical and dance performance, 75 feet underground, inspired by the Diefenbunker’s creation and the themes of protection and belonging.
Refuge of Meaning is a performance work that explores parts of the history, creation, and inspiration of the Diefenbunker through music and dance.
Dancer and choreographer Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson and loop pedal violist and composer Kathryn Patricia Cobbler explore the strength and resonance of the feminine voice through this work. As well as highlighting the Critical Path Method that was instrumental in the development of the Diefenbunker, Refuge of Meaning holds space for voices that may have been less present during the facility’s creation. Unpacking themes of protection, care of the land, and care for each other, this work invites audiences to contemplate their own definitions of safety and security, while collectively answering the question . . . “do I belong here”?
Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Cost: $30.00

Tickets must be reserved in advance, as there are limited spots available.
Parking is always free!

Details:

The evening will begin with remarks from the artists.
The live musical and dance performance will take place in the Bank of Canada Vault. The performance is about 45 minutes long.
Coffee and tea will be available.

>> RESERVE TICKETS
Funded in part by the City of Ottawa.
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Meet the artists
Hear from Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson and Kathryn Patricia Cobbler as they introduce themselves and explain the artistic process behind their work.

https://diefenbunker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Web_ReImagine-Collective-Intro.mp4
https://diefenbunker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Web_Refuge-of-Meaning-Graphic-Score.mp4

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About the Re:Imagine Collective
The Re:Imagine Collective is an artistic ensemble that reanimates still and silent public spaces — sharing impulses, and reacting and responding to their surroundings through multidisciplinary performance of improvised and precomposed mediums. This multidisciplinary trio captures the beauty of their surroundings while interpreting scores with a modern lens through the intersectional voices of two contemporary female artists and their use of fragmentation, improvisation, and responsiveness.

Photographs by Curtis Perry.

Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson
Through her work in inclusive dance, cross-disciplinary collaboration and broad learning from multiple perspectives, Elizabeth has sought to redefine what dance looks and feels like for herself, and to allow space for others to do so as well.
An independent Franco-Ontarian dance artist from traditional unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory (Orléans, ON), she creates/performs/collaborates through connections between people/places/artforms from accessible, intersectional feminist perspectives. An alumnus of the Quinte Ballet School, The School of Dance, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ Professional Training Program, and the Banff Centre for the Arts, Elizabeth has also trained extensively in inclusive dance techniques/teaching through Propeller Dance, Candoco (UK), AXIS Dance Company (USA), and Stopgap Dance Company (UK). She was mentored by Tedd Robinson from 2021 to 2022.
Elizabeth is currently entering her fifth season as a company dancer for Propeller Dance, working on a project with 10 Gates Dancing, and was commissioned by Ottawa Dance Directive to create a new duet for their Series Dance 10 in September 2023. She is a member of multidisciplinary group Ghost Rooster Collective, supported by Canada Council of the Arts, the City of Ottawa, and Digital Arts Resource Centre.
She creates dance works, films, and interdisciplinary collaborations that have been supported/commissioned by a wide range of organizations and arts councils, including the National Arts Centre, CPAMO, TACTICS, Théâtre Wakefield, Theatre 4.669, Dark Horse Dance Projects, Ottawa Dance Directive, Free Flow Dance Theatre, Dancers Studio West, Lisbon Dance Platform (Portugal), Skylines Dance & Film Series, HUFF Festival, NextFest, Social Distancing Festival, the City of Ottawa, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council, and Bourse Tontine. Her community practice includes working with Amethyst Women’s Addiction Centre, the City of Ottawa, creating and co-facilitating Conversations, a discussion series for and by Ottawa-Gatineau dance artists, and INTERFACE, a research intensive for emerging Adawe-area dance artists. Elizabeth has danced for Ottawa Dance Directive, Allison Burns, Lois Chan, Kaja Irwin, Shara Weaver, Chelsea Passmore, Par B.L.eux, Corps Bara Dance Theatre, Pixie Cram/Tina Le Moine, Tara Luz Danse, and The Ghomeshi Effect, among others. She has served as rehearsal director/outside eye for Propeller Dance and Allison Burns.

Kathryn Patricia Cobbler
Hailing from Canada’s Capital region, loop pedal violist, visual artist, composer, and educator Kathryn Patricia Cobbler has crafted a singular niche in music improvisation and classical performance. She obsesses over creating uniquely arresting soundscapes, whether in solo recitals, composing and performing for art installations, and more. Named a CBC Trailblazer in 2021 and a recipient of one of Ottawa Arts Council’s Emerging Artist awards, she has been featured in Canada’s most notable Concert Series, including Chamberfest, Music and Beyond, and NUMUS Concerts, to name a few.
Named one of “3 Classical Musicians You Should Know” in 2022 by SHIFTER Magazine and the NAC, Kathryn is a seasoned performer, speaker, presenter and workshop facilitator. As a performing artist and educator, Kathryn is a performance instructor at Carleton University and an artist on the MASC Artist roster. As a composer, Kathryn has been featured in the Boston-based concert series Castle of Our Skin’s Black Composers Miniature Challenge, which resulted in the world premier of her piece A Home Called “Wander” for solo viola and spoken word. Most recently, Kathryn was commissioned by the National Art Gallery of Canada to compose a piece of music for their exhibit, Uninvited: Canadian Women Artists in the Modern Moment.
Kathryn holds degrees in viola performance from Western University (B.M.) and the University of Ottawa (M.M.), and was a 2022 fellow of the Global Leaders Institute. She is currently a PhD student in Critical Studies in Improvisation through the University of Guelph. Kathryn performs on a viola by luthier Sibylle Ruppert and a Boss RC-600 loop pedal.
kathrynpatricia.com

Rachel Gray
Rachel Gray is a Canadian interdisciplinary artist based in Algonquin Territory/Ottawa. Navigating the world with Dyslexia has led her to explore art as a way to create customized language. Through drawing, performance, installation, and storytelling she tries to speak into the places that language leaves blank. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Rachel is also an author, animator, and illustrator, with her graphic novel Jess adapted into a musical work commissioned by Pacific Opera Victoria. She is the librettist and co-creator of Raccoon Opera, premiering at Salle Bourgie in Montreal in spring of 2024. Rachel is a founding member of Ghost Rooster Collective.

Canada Day at the Diefenbunker
2025-07-01 10:00 - 15:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum will be opening its blast doors with discounted admission for visitors on Canada Day.
Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with designated entry time slots

Entry time slots are every 15 minutes beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The last entry time is 2:00 p.m. and the museum closes at 3:00 p.m.

Admission:

Discounted general admission at 50% off the regular ticketed price.
Parking is always free!

Details:

Due to capacity and demand, tickets must be purchased in advance. Walk-up visitors may not be admitted.
Please arrive during your scheduled entry time slot. Due to capacity, late arrivals may not be admitted.
Explore the museum and enjoy family-friendly activities like a Canadian-themed scavenger hunt and outdoor games.
There will be no guided tours available, only self-guided exploration of the museum.
We encourage you to check out the free Interpretive Trail outside the museum.
Our free ten-language Audio Guide can be accessed on your own device using the museum’s Wi-Fi.
Water and juice are available for purchase.
Outdoor toilets are available in the museum parking lot for public use. Fully accessible washrooms are available inside the museum.
Please note that the multiple levels, stairs, and narrow hallways in the Diefenbunker make the museum difficult to navigate with a stroller. We recommend bringing a baby carrier instead, if this is a feasible option for you. Learn more about accessibility.

>> RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

Land Acknowledgement:
The Diefenbunker was built on the traditional unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People, whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.
The Diefenbunker Museum acknowledges the ongoing legacy of harm to Indigenous people in Canada and the adverse impacts of the Cold War on Indigenous communities. The museum is committed to contributing to the Calls to Action set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically numbers 67 to 70 related to museums and archives. We endeavour to increase the representation of important Indigenous histories, perspectives, and languages in our Cold War content, and to ensure respectful interpretation in our spaces. We are continually working to develop close and collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities, whether locally, provincially, or nationally.
We hope you join us in learning from our past as we build our collective future.

Dief the Chief: October ’62
2025-07-18 16:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-23 16:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-25 16:30 - 19:30, 2025-08-15 16:30 - 19:30, 2025-08-20 16:30 - 19:30, 2025-08-22 16:30 - 19:30 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Dief the Chief: October ’62 is making its return this summer!
Join us as we welcome actor Pierre Brault in this touring play throughout the Diefenbunker that blends storytelling and history in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, 75 feet underground.
Dates
– Friday, July 18
– Wednesday, July 23
– Friday, July 25
– Friday, August 15
– Wednesday, August 20
– Friday, August 22
– Friday, September 12
– Wednesday, September 17
– Friday, September 19
Showtimes
– 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
– 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Price: $55
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
About the production
It’s October 1962. Relive the heart-stopping story of the Cuban Missile Crisis through the eyes of Canada’s 13th Prime Minister, John “Dief the Chief” Diefenbaker. Travel with “Dief the Chief” through the Diefenbunker into the War Cabinet Room as he and the world watch the USA and USSR face off in history’s closest brush with nuclear war. Hear in his own words how “Dief the Chief’s” rocky relationship with President John F. Kennedy played an extraordinary role in Canadian and American relations and how each influenced the other’s policies.
Join “Dief the Chief” as he navigates his way through the ultimate crisis that could see neighbours on both sides fight a nuclear war with Canada, literally in the middle. The personal cost to him will be great as he deals with a demanding president, a divided cabinet, and a fierce opposition.
Written and performed by Pierre Brault with Peter Haworth as John Diefenbaker. This play is an artistic interpretation of historical events.
Pierre Brault is an Ottawa-based multi-award-winning actor, playwright, and stand-up comedian. He is best known for his solo plays Will Somers: Keeping your Hear, Portrait of an Unidentified Man, 5 O’clock Bells, and Blood on the Moon. Pierre has toured his productions across Canada and abroad to Ireland and New Zealand, and he has also worked extensively in film, television, and radio.
We look forward to raising the curtain once again for Dief the Chief: October ’62.
>> RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

BONUS: On the same day as your chosen showtime, receive FREE general admission to the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum and explore the site during the museum’s operational hours.
Getting there: Take our free shuttle for the afternoon performance
Accessibility
This performance involves moving between rooms of the Diefenbunker and traveling up and down stairs. If you will require mobility assistance, please reach out to our team in advance so that we can accommodate accordingly. Learn more at about accessibility at the Diefenbunker.
Questions? Please email reservations@diefenbunker.ca.

Refunds can be requested for approval in writing to reservations@diefenbunker.ca.

Cancellations are accepted without penalty if they are communicated at least two weeks in advance of the performance ticket date. Within two weeks, a 50% cancellation fee will apply. Within 48 hours of performance ticket date, no refunds or exchanges will be granted.
No refunds or exchanges will be granted for no-shows or late arrivals.
Emergency cancellations are subject to the approval of our Operations Manager.

Dief the Chief: October ’62 - SOLD OUT
2025-09-12 16:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-17 16:30 - 19:30, 2025-09-19 16:30 - 19:30 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
SOLD OUT for 2025.
>>Sign up to be notified when 2026 dates are announced.
Join us as we welcome actor Pierre Brault in this touring play throughout the Diefenbunker that blends storytelling and history in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, 75 feet underground.
Dates
– Friday, July 18
– Wednesday, July 23
– Friday, July 25
– Friday, August 15
– Wednesday, August 20
– Friday, August 22
– Friday, September 12
– Wednesday, September 17
– Friday, September 19
Showtimes
– 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
– 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Price: $55
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
About the production
It’s October 1962. Relive the heart-stopping story of the Cuban Missile Crisis through the eyes of Canada’s 13th Prime Minister, John “Dief the Chief” Diefenbaker. Travel with “Dief the Chief” through the Diefenbunker into the War Cabinet Room as he and the world watch the USA and USSR face off in history’s closest brush with nuclear war. Hear in his own words how “Dief the Chief’s” rocky relationship with President John F. Kennedy played an extraordinary role in Canadian and American relations and how each influenced the other’s policies.
Join “Dief the Chief” as he navigates his way through the ultimate crisis that could see neighbours on both sides fight a nuclear war with Canada, literally in the middle. The personal cost to him will be great as he deals with a demanding president, a divided cabinet, and a fierce opposition.
Written and performed by Pierre Brault with Peter Haworth as John Diefenbaker. This play is an artistic interpretation of historical events.
Pierre Brault is an Ottawa-based multi-award-winning actor, playwright, and stand-up comedian. He is best known for his solo plays Will Somers: Keeping your Hear, Portrait of an Unidentified Man, 5 O’clock Bells, and Blood on the Moon. Pierre has toured his productions across Canada and abroad to Ireland and New Zealand, and he has also worked extensively in film, television, and radio.
We look forward to raising the curtain once again for Dief the Chief: October ’62.
>> RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

BONUS: On the same day as your chosen showtime, receive FREE general admission to the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum and explore the site during the museum’s operational hours.
Getting there: Take our free shuttle for the afternoon performance
Accessibility
This performance involves moving between rooms of the Diefenbunker and traveling up and down stairs. If you will require mobility assistance, please reach out to our team in advance so that we can accommodate accordingly. Learn more at about accessibility at the Diefenbunker.
Questions? Please email reservations@diefenbunker.ca.

Refunds can be requested for approval in writing to reservations@diefenbunker.ca.

Cancellations are accepted without penalty if they are communicated at least two weeks in advance of the performance ticket date. Within two weeks, a 50% cancellation fee will apply. Within 48 hours of performance ticket date, no refunds or exchanges will be granted.
No refunds or exchanges will be granted for no-shows or late arrivals.
Emergency cancellations are subject to the approval of our Operations Manager.

2025 Cold War Speaker Series: Cold War Workers
2025-09-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual, Virtual
We invite you to join us this fall for the Diefenbunker’s Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on Cold War themes and events.
Event 1
Topic: Cold War Workers: Labour, Family, and Community in a Nuclear State
Speaker: Dr. Isabel Campbell

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Event Details:

Hosted virtually on Zoom. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
Includes a presentation followed by a Q&A.
Session will be recorded for educational purposes and made available after the event.

>> REGISTER NOW

Overview
This talk presents stories and themes from the book Cold War Workers, edited by Dr. Isabel Campbell. Cold War Workers raises questions about the influence of settler-colonial masculine institutional values on those who laboured for the Cold War state and society. By comparing the experiences of different types of workers, families, and communities, this volume reveals how race, gender, and privilege affected people in varied and sometimes unexpected ways.
About the speaker

Dr. Isabel Campbell
Dr. Isabel Campbell is a senior historian at the Department of National Defence, an adjunct research professor in the history department at Carleton University, and a senior fellow at the Bill Graham Centre for International History at the University of Toronto. She has published on Canada and the Cold War, alliance strategy, gender and service families, and the intersections between foreign policy and military history, as well as on the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Navy, and archival matters.
Receive 25% off the book Cold War Workers from McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Learn more about the other events in the 2025 Cold War Speaker Series!
October 16, 2025: Military Research in the Early Cold War
November 20, 2025: Canada, Africa, and the Cold War

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Diefenbunker
2025-09-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K0A 1L0, Canada
Join us at the Diefenbunker for two special ceremonies to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Land Acknowledgement Unveiling
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Doors open at 8:45 a.m.
This ceremony will feature the dedication of a permanent land acknowledgement installation outside the Diefenbunker Museum. This project is made possible thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
Special guests include Acting-Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, Merv Sarazin, and a representative on behalf of FedDev Ontario.
Truth and Reconciliation Ceremony
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Doors open at 9:45 a.m.
This public ceremony, hosted by Makatew Workshops, will include the lighting of a sacred fire, cultural presentations, and traditional teachings from Knowledge Keepers and Elders, alongside reflections from community leaders.
Special guests include Residential Schools survivor Shirly Caibaiosai, Ward 5 Councillor Clarke Kelly, MPP Karen McCrimmon, and MP Jenna Sudds.

Both ceremonies are free to attend and open to all.
Events will take place outside the Diefenbunker Museum, at 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa. Find detailed directions on our website. There is limited free and accessible parking available on site. Bottled water will be available by donation in support of the Legacy of Hope Foundation. Outdoor toilets will be available. Please note that the museum will be closed.

2025 Cold War Speaker Series: Military Research in the Early Cold War
2025-10-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual, Virtual
We invite you to join us this fall for the Diefenbunker’s Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on Cold War themes and events.
Event 2
Topic: Duty or Opportunity? Canadian Scientists and Military Research in the Early Cold War
Speaker: Dr. Matthew Wiseman

Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Event Details:

Hosted virtually on Zoom. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
Includes a presentation followed by a Q&A.
Session will be recorded for educational purposes and made available after the event.

>> REGISTER NOW

Overview
In this talk, historian Matthew S. Wiseman will discuss his recent book, Frontier Science, highlighting newly declassified records about the size and scope of military research and development in Canada during the early Cold War to investigate the militarization of the country’s professional scientific community.
About the speaker

Dr. Matthew Wiseman
Matthew S. Wiseman is an assistant professor (teaching stream) in the Department of History at the University of Waterloo. His research and teaching concentrate on the history of twentieth-century Canada, with special emphasis on the development of science and medical research ethics. He is the author of Frontier Science: Northern Canada, Military Research, and the Cold War, 1945–1970 (UTP, 2024) and co-editor of Silent Partners: The Origins and Influence of Canada’s Military-Industrial Complex (UBC Press, 2023). With an eye to understanding the social and political dynamics of science, Wiseman’s publications examine the complex dimensions of military- and state-sponsored research conducted at government, private, and academic institutions. He also studies gender equity in the professional scientific community and is currently writing two books, one on the history of military medicine in Canada and a second on the history of women scientists at the National Research Council.

Learn more about the other events in the 2025 Cold War Speaker Series!
September 18, 2025: Cold War Workers
November 20, 2025: Canada, Africa, and the Cold War
