Festivals and Events
Ottawa is a city of celebrations, offering visitors a year aound calendar of parties, festivals and special events. Here's our year at a glance:
Winterlude
It all kicks off with Winterlude, North America's greatest winter festival, the first three weekends of February.
Canadian Tulip Festival
Ottawa celebrates the return of warm weather as millions of tulips bloom in beds across the city. A photographer's dream.
TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival
Starting at the end of June, some of the world's greatest jazz acts hit the capital for a mellow and grooving start to the summer.
RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest
One of the continent's most important music festivals hits the Capital in July, and has attracted acts from Van Morrison to the Black Eyed Peas.
Ottawa Chamberfest
Some of the most intimate performances of the year in some of the City's most breathtaking churches and halls.
Canada Day
July 1st is Canada day, the country's biggest annual birthday bash on Parliament Hill and around downtown.
Lights Across Canada
In December, hundreds of thousands of Christmas bulbs are alight, turning the Capital into a veritable winter wonderland.
Rideau Canal Festival
The first weekend in August, boaters, kayakers and outdoor enthusiasts alike come together and celebrate Ottawa's stunning waterway.
Classic Theatre Festival
Presenting the classic hits of Broadway and the London stage at the Studio Theatre in downtown Perth, only an hour out of Ottawa.
Festival Franco Ontarien
Bringing together thousands of French speakers as well as lovers of the French language to the heart of the National Capital Region.
Ottawa International Children's Festival
The Festival holds a five-day extravaganza of the finest quality theatre, dance and music for young audiences.
Ottawa Wine and Food Festival
The Ottawa Wine and Food Festival features a full array of wine tastings and kitchen demonstrations.
Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is the largest festival of its kind in North America.
Tamarack Homes Ottawa Race Weekend
In May, Ottawa plays host to a massive gathering of runners from around the world for the Ottawa Marathon, in a truly spectacular celebration of sportsmanship.
