The downtown core is about to get a lot busier, with hundreds of thousands of people dressed in red and white expected to flood the streets for Canada’s 148th birthday.

About 350,000 people are expected to visit the three official sites for Canada Day, which include Parliament Hill, Major’s Hill Park and Jacques Cartier Park. Dozens of activities for people of all ages are planned at each park, including live musical performances,  flybys, death-defying diving acts and play stations for kids.

Here are a few highlights:

Parliament Hill

  • Flag raising ceremony at 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Changing of the guard at 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Carillon concert at 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Canada Day shows at noon and 7:30 p.m.
  • Swing dancing workshop 2:00 p.m.

Major’s Hill Park

  • Trivia challenge 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Group exercise demos 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Farm to Table booth with cheese samples 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Mini VIA Rail train 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • LEGO flag building 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Coast Guard meet and greet 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  • Acrobatic Rope Jumping demo 10:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  • Diving show 11:30 onwards
  • Evening musical show 7:00 p.m.

Jacques Cartier Park

  • Face painting 9:00 to 4:00 p.m.
  • Inflatable play structures 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  • Kite-making 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  • Cheer team demonstration 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  • Puppet workshop 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
  • Evening show 7:00 to 10:45 p.m.

Starting tomorrow at 6 a.m., many streets in the downtown core will be closed for the annual Canada Day festivities. The roads re-open at 2 a.m. Thursday, July 2nd. During that time OC Transpo buses are free, while Gatineau’s STO buses are free after the fireworks.

The following roads will be impacted:

  • Wellington/Rideau Street between Kent Street and Dalhousie Street
  • Sussex Drive between Daly Avenue and York Street
  • MacKenzie Avenue between Murray Street and Wellington Street
  • Nicholas Street between Besserer Street and Rideau Street
  • Bank Street between Wellington Street and Albert Street
  • O’Connor Street between Wellington Street and Albert Street
  • Metcalfe Street between Wellington Street and Albert Street
  • Elgin Street between Laurier Avenue and Wellington Street
  • Queen Street between Kent Street and Elgin Street
  • Slater Street between O’Connor Street and Elgin Street
  • Albert Street between Metcalfe Street and Elgin Street
  • Mackenzie King Bridge (after 7 p.m. closed to pedestrians)
  • St. Patrick Street between Sussex Drive and the Alexandra Bridge
  • Wellington Street between Booth Street and Vimy Place westbound (until 11 a.m.)
  • Slidell Street between Bayview Road and Sir John A MacDonald Parkway middle of intersection until 12:00 noon
  • George Street between the ByWard Market Square and Sussex Drive
  • William Street between George Street and York Street