Stepping Forward: A Night of High Fashion

The wait is over! Dress for Success Ottawa’s signature fundraising event returns on November 13th at Lago Bar & Grill — now under a powerful new name: Stepping Forward!

Set against the scenic backdrop of Dow’s Lake, Stepping Forward offers a special evening designed to celebrate the power of community and generosity. Guests will enjoy thoughtfully curated entertainment, engaging conversations with fellow changemakers, and an elegant offering of hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Our growth has amplified our reach and deepened our impact.

This year marks a transformative milestone for our organization. We proudly moved into a new, purpose-designed space that promotes greater inclusivity and expands our ability to support even more women and gender non-conforming individuals on their path to economic independence. Our new event name, Stepping Forward, reflects this bold step into the future — and the continued progress we make together, thanks to the generosity of our community.

Since its inception, Stepping Forward has embraced bold, memorable themes — from carnivals to time travel and global adventures. This year, our theme — A Night of High Fashion — is a vibrant celebration of women’s success, individuality, and style. Each guest is encouraged to express their unique identity through their look, embodying elegance, creativity, and confidence. Whether striking a pose in our iconic photo booth, indulging in glam makeup by a professional, or diving into friendly competition with our signature games, our 2025 guests can expect A-list treatment from the moment they arrive.

Highlights

• Food & Drinks: including passed appetizers from Lago and complimentary prosecco
• Games: win big while supporting Dress for Success programs by playing games with over $20,000 in prizes to be won
• Makeup Touch Ups: make sure your look is picture-perfect with the help of our expert Makeup Artists
• Photo Booth: make it a night to remember and take home a souvenir from Stepping Forward
• Shoe Competition: strut your stuff for our panel of judges; the best pair of shoes could take home a prize
• Silent Auction: bid discreetly at our silent auction, where exclusive prizes await your bid
• DJ & Dancing: get lost in the music and dance the night away

Stepping Forward will be held at Lago Bar & Grill – Dow’s Lake Pavilion (1001 Queen Elizabeth Driveway). A downtown, waterfront event space just steps away from the Arboretum, Lago boasts panoramic views of Dows Lake. A historic supporter of our signature event, this unique and modern space is the perfect venue for Stepping Forward in 2025.

Due to construction, Lago’s parking lot has been temporarily moved to the corner of Carling & Champagne (855 Carling Avenue). Additional paid parking is available at 489 Preston Street.

Local bus routes that stop close to Lago Bar and Grill:

• Bus Route 55 Elmvale (Stop at Carling/Preston)
• Bus Route 55 Westgate (Stop at Carling/Norfolk)
• Bus Route 56 King Edward and Civic (Stop at Carling/Preston)
• Bus Route 56 Tunney’s Pasture (Stop at Carling/Norfolk)
• Bus Route 85 Bayshore (Stop at Preston/Carling)

Alcohol will be served at the event so please plan ahead to find a safe ride home!

Early Bird tickets for Stepping Forward will be available starting on September 19th. There are a limited number of tickets available, so grab yours before they run out!

Want to support but can't make it? You can make a donation on our Zeffy page! We appreciate and thank you for thinking of us!

Stepping Forward would not be possible without our generous sponsors. Dress for Success Ottawa extends our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude. Your support enables us to empower women and gender nonconforming individuals to achieve economic independence. Thank you for your generosity!

Interested in getting involved with one of the biggest and best nights in Ottawa? Please email [email protected]. We would be so happy to hear from you!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lago Bar & Grill View, 1001 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa, Canada