Nothing says springtime like tulips! I love walking out to my garden each day and seeing the tulips sprout up a little more each day. It's also fun seeing what new colours appear in the garden each spring thanks to all the neighbourhood squirrels hiding new bulbs in it.
You'll be able to tiptoe through the tulips in person this year as the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates its 70th anniversary. The Canadian Tulip Festival is located at Commissioners Park in Ottawa and there is no on-site parking.
How can you get to the festival?
Drive and find parking- The closest lots are on Preston street. It is approximately a 5-10 minute walk depending on the lot you choose.
Take public transportation- Taxi, Uber and OC Transpo are all great options to get to the park. If you are taking a Taxi or Uber, please ask them to let you off on Carling Avenue to avoid traffic delays. Some street closures will make travel at Dows lake difficult.
Why not take the tulip trolley? Thanks to Cobblestone Tours, the Tulip Trolley will be making stops between downtown Ottawa hotels and attractions and the Festival grounds. For a small fee, you can have one-way or round-trip transportation.
What events are there?
Tulip Legacy Walking Tours
10 am-5pm daily. Last tour stats at 4pm on weekdays and 4:30 pm on weekends and holidays.
$10 per person.
Tulip Team at RE/MAX Tulip Boutique
10 am – 6pm daily. The Boutique accepts cash, debit and credit card. Carts accept tap only.
Tulip Bingo
2pm – 4pm daily.
$5 per card. Tap payment methods only. Cash sales available in the boutique if needed.
Tulips at Night
8pm – 11pm daily. Stroll the lit garden beds at night and see tulips in a different light.
Movies & Tulips with NFB
Starts at 8pm daily. End times will vary based on the selections for the evening.
Ghosts of the Glebe Walking Tour
8 PM -11PM daily. Last tour stats at 10pm on weekdays and 10:30 pm on weekends and holidays. $20 per person.
Blacklight Boardwalk
8pm – 11pm daily. See the park like a polinator.
Grand Finale Fireworks
Sunday May 22 at 10pm. Weather permitting.
The full schedule of events is still to come. Visit https://tulipfestival.ca/festival-information/ for more information!
