The Complete Guide to Celebrating Canada Day in Ottawa 2023
There’s no better place to celebrate Canada Day than in Canada’s capital. With festivities taking place all over the city, and fun free activities all day long, Canada Day in Ottawa is the ultimate place to celebrate this amazing country. If you’re spending July 1st in Ottawa, check out our complete guide to Canada Day in the capital which includes this year’s entertainment and activity schedule, Canada Day fireworks information, transportation tips and the best places to eat and drink.
Where is Canada Day Celebrated in Ottawa; Official Sites
With extensive renovations taking place on Parliament Hill, the main Canada Day celebrations have moved to Lebreton Flats; an expansive greenspace located beside the Canadian War Museum. The other official sites are Old Hull in Quebec, and Parliament Hill, although the main events including the daytime, evening show, fireworks and family-friendly activities take place at Lebreton Flats.
Canada Day Concerts, Performances and Free Activities
Lebreton Flats
Official Canada Day Shows – 12pm and 8pm
Each year Canadian Heritage puts on two exciting shows packed with star headliners and a diverse set of musical and artistic performers. The daytime show begins at 12pm, and the evening show starts at 8pm. You can check out the full list of performers including featured headliners Jann Arden and Tyler Shaw by visiting the Canadian Heritage website.
Free Family-Friendly Activities
If you’re celebrating Canada Day with your family, there are tons of fun activities for kids and families all day long including bracelet making, face painting, the VIA Rail miniature train and giant yard games. There are also some great activities for people of all ages including mural painting, a woodland animal art workshop by Indigenous Experiences, interactive art and music installations and even body “marbling” (a cool form of body art you won’t’ want to miss!).
Parliament Hill
Bagpipes, Drum Performances and Marching Bands
Although the main festivities have moved away from Parliament Hill, there is still some great entertainment taking place on this iconic lawn. Enjoy amazing performances of bagpipes and drums, as well as marching bands rotating throughout the day from 10am-4:30pm.
Old Hull
Live Music and Artistic Performances
Only a short walk across the Portage Bridge, the area of Old Hull in Quebec is another official Canada Day location. Take in pop-up performances all day long from a variety of Canadian artists, and be sure to wander around the patio-lined streets with unique urban art around every corner.
Check out the full Canadian Heritage’s official schedule.
Canada Day Fireworks in Ottawa
The highlight of any Canada celebration is a fantastic fireworks display, and Canada’s capital puts on quite the show. Canada Day fireworks in Ottawa begin at 10pm and the best place to view them is from the Lebreton Flats site. Other good places to view the pyrotechnics include the Portage Bridge, and the Zibi grounds near Interzip Rogers, as well as the Voyageurs Pathway on the Quebec site of the Ottawa River.
If you’re looking for fireworks shows away from downtown core, there are also displays at the Rideau Carleton Casino, Kanata in the city’s west end, Orleans in the east end, and the small hamlet of Osgoode, just outside of town.
Other Free Activities and Events in Ottawa on Canada Day
National Arts Centre Free Concerts
Only steps from Parliament Hill, the National Arts Centre, which is home to performing arts in the capital, will be hosting a free concert on Canada Day by the NAC orchestra. The show begins at 2:30pm, with the doors opening at 2pm.
Free Access to Ottawa Museums on Canada Day
Every Canada Day many museums in Ottawa offer free admission on July 1st. This is a great opportunity to explore or rediscover some of the capital’s best cultural institutions at no charge. Advanced online tickets are available for most museums, and we highly recommend booking your spot ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Don’t miss free admission to these museums on Canada Day:
For those not familiar with the city, the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History, National Gallery of Canada, as well as the Bank of Canada Museum are all within walking distance of each other, and the official Canada Day sites. The Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum will require transportation outside of the downtown core.
Transportation; Getting Around on Canada Day in Ottawa
Getting around on Canada requires planning ahead if you traditionally like to drive and park. The best methods of transportation are public transit, biking, electric scooters and walking, as there are numerous road and bridge closures as well as parking restrictions in the downtown core. Check out the full list of road closures, and parking restrictions here.
OC Transpo – Public Transportation
Getting around by public transit is by far the best transportation in the city on Canada Day. Buses are free on in Ottawa on Canada Day, as well as the city’s light rail transit line 1. The LRT links some of the main Canada Day and city attractions including:
Lebreton Flats (PImisi Station)
Parliament Hill (Parliament Station)
Bank of Canada Museum (Parliament Station)
National Arts Centre (Rideau Station)
ByWard Market (Rideau Station)
Rideau Canal Locks (Rideau Station)
Plan your trip with OC Transpo’s travel planner.
The STO (Gatineau’s public transportation system) is also free if you’re staying or exploring the Quebec side of the Ottawa River.
Electric Scooters, Biking and Walking
Ottawa has two electric scooter companies, Neuron (comes equipped with a helmet) and Bird Canada. If you’ve never used one before, it’s quite simple: download the app for the scooter brand, add a payment method, find a scooter, and then scan the QR code on the scooter and ride. You can ride for as long as you want, from 1 block to 10. You’ll find scooters scattered around the city in various areas (the apps and Google maps can show you where), as you can drop them off wherever you are (with some geofencing restrictions – the scooter will tell you). Note you cannot ride scooters on the sidewalks or on NCC pathways.
Walking is the best option for getting around if you want to travel without restrictions, and most sites are within a 15-30-minute walk of each other. Biking is also a great option, however be sure to bring a good bike lock to secure your ride at your destination.
Taxis and Ride Shares
While road closures will effect ride shares like Uber and Lyft, they are a good option to get you close to the action without having to park. Note that most ride-shares will drop off in Quebec, but will not pick up, so keep the number of a taxi company on hand if you’re choosing to travel by car.
Where to Eat and Drink
You’ll definitely work up an appetite enjoying Canada Day in Ottawa. There are many food options to satisfy your appetite, from street vendors and coffee shops to outdoor patios and family-friendly restaurants. Below are some ideas for dining in Ottawa on Canada Day:
Street vendors – located around the official sites
Food trucks
Canada Day Packing Tips
What to Bring and What to Wear
Preparing for a full day of Canada Day celebrations includes some planning. Weather can be a factor, with potentially hot temperatures and the always present potential of rain. Here are some things to remember to wear and pack in your bag before you head out on July 1st:
Sunscreen
Small Umbrella
Water bottle
Hat
Sunglasses
Good comfortable closed-toed walking shoes
Mask
Red and white outfit and Canada flag!
What NOT to bring
Being the nation’s capital, and given the potential number of high level officials and entertainers present during the celebrations, there can be a security check at Lebreton Flats site. Below are some items you will want to leave at home:
Megaphones
Fireworks
Tents
Dogs (service animals are permitted)
Knives or anything that could be considered a weapon
Washrooms, Water Stations and Places to Relax Indoors
There are washrooms and water bottle filling stations located at most of the official Canada Day sites. Water bottle filling stations are also available outdoor on the pedestrian-only Sparks Street, and if you’re visiting the National Arts Centre or one of the city’s museums, you’ll find those amenities as well. The Rideau Centre mall also offers a good spot for a quick pit stop, and a place to rest your feet indoors.
Great Places for Canada Day Photos
Getting an iconic Canada Day photo in Canada’s capital is a must for anyone visiting Ottawa on July 1st. Here are some must stop spots for that perfect Canadian selfie:
Rideau Canal locks
Rideau Canal – boats are often decorated in Canada flags and red and white
Parliament Hill – the buildings across from Parliament Hill are often adorned with giant Canada Flags
Canada Day main stage and fireworks at Lebreton Flats
Canadian Museum of History – a postcard perfect view of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa skyline
Canada Day outfits – you’ll find people wearing anything from Canadiana themed superhero costumes to maple leaf top hats and one of a kind red and white creations
Extend the Celebration: Events in Ottawa on Canada Day Weekend
If you’re planning on spending a few days in the capital, and are looking for more things to do during your stay, there are other great events taking place leading up to and during the Canada Day weekend.
Cirque du Soleil Corteo
Dates: June 28-July 2
Location: Canadian Tire Centre
Info: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/corteo
Ottawa Titans Baseball Games
Dates: Every Day June 27- July 2
Location: Ottawa Stadium
Info: https://www.ottawatitans.com/tickets
Lansdowne Outdoor Farmers Market (free)
Date: July 2
Location: Lansdowne Place
Info: https://ottawafarmersmarket.ca/lansdowne-market
Ottawa Blackjacks Basketball Games
Dates: June 27, 29, July 2
Location: TD Place Arena
Info: https://www.theblackjacks.ca/tickets
Ottawa Redblacks CFL Football Game
Date: June 30th
Location: TD Place Stadium
Info: https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/tickets
American Crown Circus & Circo Osorio
Date: June 29-July 2
Location: St Laurent Shopping Centre
