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! See the full list of events here.
Daytime Ceremony
12:00 p.m.
LeBreton Flats Park
Be at LeBreton Flats Park at noon to catch the ceremony, which will also be broadcast on the platforms of CBC and Radio-Canada.
The ceremony will begin with a moment of reflection for First Nations. Canadian artists including Bedouin Soundclash and Marie-Mai will then take the stage, along with Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial Flypast
Around 1 p.m., the RCAF will celebrate and commemorate its centennial by staging one of Canada’s largest flypasts, featuring dozens of aircraft taking to the skies over Ottawa–Gatineau.
To make sure you don’t miss any of the action, head to LeBreton Flats Park or Parliament Hill for live commentary.
Evening Show
8:00-10:00 PM
LeBreton Flats Park
Live from Canada’s capital, this free show will bring together music lovers from all over the country. From 8 to 10 p.m., you’ll be treated to a line-up of iconic and emerging artists. Hosted by Isabelle Racicot, it will feature the following Canadian artists:
- Chromeo
- Corneille
- FouKi
- Kanen
- Kiesza
- Maestro Fresh Wes
- Metric
- Neon Dreams
- Qattuu
- Sara Dufour
- Willows
Parliament Hill
Come to the iconic Parliament Hill to celebrate Canada Day. Enjoy a Snowbirds demonstration, SkyHawks jumps, bagpipe and drum performances, and more!
Old Hull
To make the most of your day of festivities, Gatineau’s Old Hull will offer fun activities and shows to please everyone. You’ll get to see performances by the legendary group Dubmatique, Basia Bulat, Kallitechnis and more!
Fireworks
Times are approximate and please verify with the group.
- LeBreton Flats Park – July 1, 2024 I 10:00
- Riverside South Community Canada Day Fireworks– July 1, 2024 | 10:00 @ Claudette Cain Park
- Beacon Hill Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2024 | Dusk @ Loyola Park in Beacon Hill
- Dunrobin Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2024 | Dusk @ Dunrobin Community Centre
- Barrhaven Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2024 | 10:00 @ Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan St, Nepean
- Greely Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2024 | Dusk @ Greely Community Centre
- Stittsville Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2024 | Dusk @ Sacred Heart High School
- Kanata Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2024 | 10:00 @ Walter Baker Park
- Rideau Carleton Raceway Canada Day Fireworks – July 1, 2024 | Dusk @ RCC
July 1st
2:30 p.m. *Doors open at 2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Canada Day with a free concert by the NAC Orchestra!
Happy Canada Day! On July 1, join us for a free concert downtown in the nation’s capital.
Hosted by slam poet and songwriter YAO, and conducted by Alexander Shelley, this 2024 edition will also feature homegrown international violin sensation Kerson Leong, and vocalist Kellylee Evans.
The concert features works spanning over 100 years of Canadian music-making by Keiko Devaux, Francois Dompierre, Jean Coulthard, and more! As is tradition, our Canada Day Concert will close with the unforgettable “Hymn to Freedom” by Oscar Peterson, and more exciting repertoire will be announced from the stage.
Events at National and Local Museums
9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
It’s time to celebrate! The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is highlighting Canada’s birthday with lots of exciting activities for the whole family. 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 strawberry rhubarb crisp. Watch our special demonstrations and learn about some Canadian livestock breeds, then test your knowledge with the Great Canadian Quiz! Visitors of all ages will love making a special craft to take home.
Museum admission will be FREE (please note that regular parking fees apply), and advanced ticketing is recommended. Tickets will be available online on Tuesday, June 25, at 10 a.m. For admission details and to book your ticket, see Visitor Information.
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!
STRAWBERRY RHUBARB CRISP (FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 11:30 A.M. AND FROM 1 P.M. TO 4 P.M.)
Celebrate summertime by tasting a delicious strawberry rhubarb crisp! Learn about the scrumptious summer produce featured in the recipe, which happen to be in-season right around Canada Day.
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!
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Elevate your Canada Day celebrations with an exciting lineup of activities and events at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. This year, we are honoring the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Centennial with special family-friendly activities. Don't miss out on this celebration of our nation's heritage and aviation history.
Please note, due to NCC Weekend Bikedays, the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway will be closed in both directions from Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. The museum will still be accessible via Aviation Pkwy and eastbound on George Étienne Cartier Pkwy.
Museum admission is FREE. A flat parking fee of $5 is applicable.
Please note Reserve Hangar tours will not be available on July 1.
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.
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This Canada Day, explore unique experiences at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Visit our newest exhibition, Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste, and discover every facet of one of the world’s most misunderstood, limitless resources – human excrement. While there, share your pictures with us for a chance to win a special prize package from the boutique! Head to the Demo Stage to be amazed at the Cryo-Genius show or spark your curiosity at the Pyro Techno show. Explore the museum and interact with various demonstrations presented by our fantastic guides stationed throughout the galleries.
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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