Here's when you can see fireworks in Ottawa-Gatineau over the next two weeks
Fireworks will light up the sky over the Ottawa River in Ottawa-Gatineau for six nights between July 31 and Aug. 17.
Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy continues Wednesday night at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. The event runs until Aug. 17.
"I think it's an explosion of flavour, rhythms because of the music that goes with the fireworks and, of course, the sky getting lit up every night for our festival-goers," CEO Julie Moffatt told CTV Morning Live.
Grand-Feux du Casino on the first night of this year’s competition! (Jean-Francois Dufault/CTV Viewer)
Each night of the festival includes four hours of special entertainment at the Canadian Museum of History, with culinary experiences, music, artistic creations and more.
Moffatt says Les Grands Feux aims to "create experiences for families and for foodies" with culinary experiences and artistic displays. There will be seven local street food trucks and chefs on site every evening, along with digital art and entertainment.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Speaking to CTV News Ottawa Wednesday, ahead of the grand opening, Moffatt said the team has been planning for nearly a year.
"Tonight, with the grand opening, we are doing a show with Royale Pyrotechnie called A Sky of Our Own," she said. "The place to be is here at the museum. It gives you a different vibe for sure, because the music, of course, but also there are a lot of fireworks that are closer to the water that you don't get to see if you're looking at them from anywhere else."
Royale Pyrotechnie technical director Ross MacKeen says he's part of a team of 10 pyrotechnicians who work to put on the show from a barge on the water.
"It's the most fun. While we sometimes have the worst seat because we don't see the fireworks as well, we have a different experience and it's quite, quite interesting."
Here is a look at the schedule:
Wednesday, July 31: The Grand Opening by the Royale Pyrotechnie Firm.The theme is: "A sky of our own," showcasing the musical genius of Quebec through the decades.
Saturday, Aug. 3: China – Dancing Fireworks Firm. The theme is: "Mulan - demonstrating a universe where humility, bravery, and dedication are honoured."
Wednesday, Aug. 7: Spain – Pirotecnia Zaragozana Firm: The theme is: "My Universe – a musical experience representing our journey through various life situations."
Saturday, Aug. 10: Barbados – Caribe Fire FX Firm: The theme is: "Pyros of the Caribbean – a dynamic show that will make you feel like you're in the Caribbean."
Wednesday, Aug. 14: United Kingdom – MLE Pyrotechnics Firm. The theme is "Harmonies Without Borders: A musical journey through Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.
Saturday, Aug. 17: The Grande Finale by the Royal Pyrotechnie Firm. The theme is "Champions a fiery sports contest highlighting strength, skill, and discipline in the glorious fireworks display."
Tickets are required to access the grounds of the Canadian Museum of History for the event.
"Everybody becomes a child when we're watching fireworks," Moffatt said. "To forget about everything and just focus for those 22 minutes on a magical show."
The City of Gatineau says parking and vehicle traffic will be prohibited from 8:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 31, Aug. 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17 on the following streets
- La rue Laurier, entre la rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville et le boulevard Sacré-Coeur;
- La rue Victoria, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- La rue Papineau, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- La rue Élisabeth-Bruyère, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- Le boulevard des Allumettières, entre le boulevard Maisonneuve et la rue Laurier;
- La rue Saint-Étienne, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- La rue de Verdun, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- La rue de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île, entre la rue Élisabeth-Bruyère et le boulevard des Allumettières.
The Pathway along the Ottawa River will be closed between the Portage Bridge and the Alexandra Bridge from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Peter Szperling
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Say it to my face': Singh confronts heckling protester on Parliament Hill
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confronted a protester for calling him a 'corrupted bastard' on Parliament Hill on Tuesday.
BREAKING Poilievre's first chance to topple Trudeau government expected next week
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is set to get his first chance to topple Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government next week, CTV News has confirmed.
Why it's 'very hard' to find work in Canada
Vacancies have steadily fallen since the glut of nearly one million open posts in 2022. At the time, one in three businesses had trouble hiring staff due to a labour shortage. Since then, vacancies have dropped.
Judge orders Sean 'Diddy' Combs jailed in sex trafficking and racketeering charges
Sean 'Diddy' Combs presided over a sordid empire of sexual crimes, coercing and abusing women for years while using blackmail and shocking acts of violence to keep his victims in line, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.
Liberals need to 'redouble efforts' after byelection losses, Trudeau ministers say
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's going to 'stay focused' on governing after being handed his second byelection upset in recent months, as members of his front bench say they’re 'disappointed' in the party's latest showing at the polls.
A wave of exploding pagers in Lebanon and Syria kills at least 9, including members of Hezbollah
Pagers used by hundreds of members of the militant group Hezbollah exploded near simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, killing at least nine people -- including an 8-year-old girl -- and wounding several thousand, officials said. They blamed Israel in what appeared to be a sophisticated, remote attack.
Two people charged in murder of Halifax teen; police believe remains have been found
Halifax Regional Police believe Devon Sinclair Marsman, who disappeared in 2022, was the victim of a homicide and two people have now been charged in his death.
Inflation data reveals what cost more in Canada lately
Canadians are still feeling the pinch when it comes to shopping for certain items and living expenses, even as inflation has cooled, according to Statistics Canada's new data released Tuesday.
How to prevent lung cancer, regardless of whether you smoke, according to a doctor
More people who have never touched a cigarette are getting lung cancer, but there are ways to prevent it, according to a doctor.