So many amazing Canada Day events are planned to celebrate Canada's Birthday. Here's a round up of where, when and what you need to know! Wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat, take lots of water and be prepared to wait in line. Don't forget to wear your red and white and have fun!
Daytime Ceremony
11:45-1:30
LeBreton Flats Park
The daytime ceremony highlights who we are as a people. It underlines important anniversaries and themes while recognizing the diversity of our country. The daytime ceremony includes a special Citizenship Ceremony and is an opportunity to connect with people from different communities.
Evening Show
7:15-10:00 PM
LeBreton Flats Park
The evening show is the most anticipated event on July 1. Live from Canada’s capital, this 2-hour concert unites people across the country to the rhythm of music. Enjoy performances from various artists — broadcast from major Canadian cities — while you sing and dance to classics and newer hits!
Canada Day Activity Kit
Whether you’re celebrating Canada Day with family and friends, at home, at the campground or at the beach, browse through the activity kit to create a day of celebration that will you truly enjoy. The kit includes an origami Canada Day lantern, crafts, hide and seek, 3D model of Parliament Hill, colouring your own Canadian flag, and much more!
Fireworks
Times are approximate and please verify with the group.
- Tim Hortons Canada Day Pyromusical Fireworks (Main fireworks by Canadian Heritage) – July 1, 2023 | 10:00 PM @ Best views from LeBreton Flats Park, Ottawa/Place des festivals Zibi, 3 Eddy St, Gatineau
- Riverside South Community Canada Day Fireworks– July 1, 2023 | 10:00 PM @ Claudette Cain Park, Ottawa
- Orléans Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2023 | 10:00 PM @ Petrie Island, Ottawa
- Barrhaven Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2023 | Dusk @ Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan St, Nepean
- Greely Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2023 | Dusk @ Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Dr, Greely
- Stittsville Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2023 | 9:45 PM @ Cardel Rec Centre., 1500 Shea Rd, Stittsville
- Kanata Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2023 | 10:00 PM from Walter Baker Park off Terry Fox Drive, Kanata
National Arts Centre
Saturday, July 1st
2:30 PM
75 minutes
Happy Canada Day! Join us July 1 for this free concert celebrating Canada and Canadians through the diverse artistry and unparalleled creativity of Canada’s best and brightest musicians.
The National Arts Centre Orchestra shares the stage with a stellar lineup of homegrown artists performing music by great Canadian composers like Iman Habibi, Rita Ueda, and Ana Sokolović. The concert will conclude with Hymn to Freedom, by the late, great Oscar Peterson.
More exciting repertoire will be announced from the stage, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to come together once again to share in our love of music with some of Canada’s finest young musicians shining from the stage.
Events at National and Local Museums
This Canada Day, take part in a double birthday celebration at Canada Agriculture and Food Museum! We’ll be commemorating Canada’s birthday, while toasting the museum’s upcoming fortieth in October. Join us for a trip down memory lane, and discover historical facts about our beloved museum and its surrounding heritage buildings. Tempt your sweet tooth with maple ice cream making and tasting, or sample a maple leaf cookie. Watch our special demonstrations and learn about some Canadian livestock breeds, then test your knowledge with the Great Canadian Quiz! Little visitors will love making a special craft to take home.
Museum admission will be FREE, but advanced ticketing is strongly recommended. Tickets will be available June 26. For admission details and to book your tickets, see Visitor Information. Regular parking fees apply.
On-site activities
MAPLE ICE CREAM MAKING
(10 A.M., 11:30 A.M., 2 P.M., AND 3:30 P.M.)
Help us make our delicious maple ice cream, using an old-fashioned hand-crank freezer. The best part? Everyone who helps can taste the end result!
HISTORICAL SITE TOUR WITH ICED TEA TIME
(10 A.M., 11 A.M., 12 P.M., 1 P.M., 2 P.M. AND 3 P.M.)
Take a walk down memory lane to discover interesting, historical facts about our beloved museum and its surrounding heritage buildings. The tour will end with an iced tea sample — just like all those years ago at the Experimental Farm’s annual garden parties!
MAPLE LEAF COOKIES
(FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 11:30 A.M. AND 1 P.M. TO 4 P.M.)
Did you know Canada produces 80 per cent of the world’s maple syrup? Join us in the Demonstration Kitchen to help prepare these delectable cookies, made with pure local maple syrup. Learn fun facts about maple syrup, then view an array of historical photographs and common tools used in maple syrup production.
PARKS CANADA: LEARN-TO-CAMP ACTIVITIES
(FROM 10:30 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M.)
Are you interested in going on your first camping trip but don’t know where to begin? The Parks Canada Learn-to-Camp team has you covered! Visit their pop-up campsite and participate in activities that introduce you to camping.
THE GREAT CANADIAN QUIZ (9:30 A.M. TO 12 P.M. AND 1 P.M. TO 4 P.M.)
Spin the wheel and test your knowledge of Canadian trivia!
KIDS’ CRAFT STATION (9:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M. AND 1:30 P.M. TO 4 P.M.)
Kids are invited to get creative at our craft station! Colour a farm animal image and let staff help you turn it into a fun pin-back button to take home.
Face Painting ($)
Michelle's Face Painting-Maquillage de fantaisie will be on site to work her magic!
Food Services ($)
NONNA’S FAMOUS PIZZA
This Ottawa based company makes the most delicious pizza. Plus, a percentage of the sales goes to local charities!
MERRY DAIRY
Want to indulge your taste buds? Merry Dairy will be on site selling their flavorful homemade ice cream.
Special Demonstrations: Meet the Canadian Breeds
- 9:30 a.m. — The Chantecler Chicken (Poultry House)
- 10:30 a.m. — The Canadienne Cow (Dairy Barn)
- 1:30 p.m. — The Chantecler Chicken (Poultry House)
- 2:30 p.m. — The Canadienne Cow (Dairy Barn)
- 4 p.m. — Afternoon Milking (Dairy Barn)
Take family fun to new heights this Canada Day! Join the Canada Aviation and Space Museum for a celebration of Canadian achievements. Try out our interactive game, Flight Command, and see if you have what it takes to keep our skies safe! Enjoy craft stations and so much more!
Museum admission is FREE, but advanced ticketing is recommended. Tickets will be available June 26. A flat parking fee of $5 is applicable.
For admission details see Visitor Information.
Canadian Museum of History
Enjoy visiting the History Museum and Children's Museum for free.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Admission to the museum is free on July 1.
Diefenbunker
By reservation only, the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum will be opening its blast doors with discounted admission on Friday, July 1, 2023.
Date: Friday, July 1, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., timed entry every 30 minutes
Price: Discounted admission at 50% off the regular ticketed price. We welcome donations to support our unique museum and national historic site. Donations can be made online here or through donation boxes on site.
This Canada Day, celebrate innovation and ingenuity at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Visit our newest exhibition “Our Climate Quest: Small Steps to Big Change” chock-full of immersive and interactive activities. Young – and not-so-young – visitors will be able to see the big impact they can have through sustainable choices. Then head to the Demo Stage and refresh your senses with the Cryo-Genius show, or spark your curiosity at the Pyro Techno show. Explore the museum and interact with the many demonstrations stationed through the galleries presented by our amazing guides.
Museum admission is FREE! For more details on your visit, please see Visitor Information. Parking fees apply.
Events Around Ottawa
Getting Around Ottawa
In-person festivities are returning this Canada Day, Friday, July 1! This will also be O-Train Line 1's first large Canada Day celebration since being in operation.
To celebrate, there will be no-charge service all day (until 3 am) on OC Transpo buses, O-Train Line 1, and Para Transpo.
This year, performances and fireworks will be at LeBreton Flats (Pimisi), with secondary festivities at Parliament Hill. O-Train Line 1 will be the best choice for travel.
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