What you need to know about Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Canada Day activities and fireworks happening in Ottawa and Gatineau, including the national Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats.
Public Transit
OC Transpo is offering free service on Canada Day.
There will be no-charge service all day on the Confederation Line, OC Transpo buses and Para Transpo on Saturday.
The O-Train Line 1 and buses will operate on a special Canada Day schedule with increased evening frequency. The O-Train will be running between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. (July 2).
OC Transpo says all trains will bypass Pimisi Station between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. to help manage the crowds.
After the fireworks, westbound O-Train Line 1 trains will bypass Pimisi Station.
Customers travelling westbound to neighbourhoods in Ottawa west, Nepean, Barrhaven, Kanata or Stittsville will be directed to bus service on Albert Street at Booth Street to connect with routes 57, 61, 62, 63, 74 and 75.
LeBreton Flats Park
Canadian Heritage will host the national Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats Park. The daytime ceremony begins at 11:45 a.m., and the evening show starts at 8 p.m.
The lineup for the daytime show includes Pierre Kwenders, Delhi 2 Dublin, Tyler Shaw, Josiane, Diyet, Katia Rock and Marie-Josée Dandeneau.
The evening show lineup features Jann Arden, Roxane Bruneau, Aysanabee, France D’Amour, Preston Pablo, Les Louanges, Jojo Mason, Dubmatique, Dax, Clerel, Madison Violet, Josh Q and Josiane.
The Tim Hortons Fireworks show will wrap up the Canada Day celebrations at 10 p.m.
For more information on Canada Day activities, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day.html.
Parliament Hill
Celebrate Canada Day on Parliament Hill and enjoy bagpipes and drums performances. The performances of the various marching bands will be in rotation throughout the day.
The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A bagpipe and drum performance on Parliament Hill can be seen via the federal government's Hill Cam just before 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Hill Cam/Public Services and Procurement Canada)
Pop-up Stages
Canadian Heritage will be hosting pop-up stages on Wellington and at the Portage Bridge.
The Wellington pop-up stages will feature Canadian artists Joseph Sarenhes, Claude Bégin, Clodelle, Mort Rose and Mauvey.
The Portage Bridge pop-up stages run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, featuring Bermuda, Miss Shelton, Drives the Common men, Waahli, Flora, Jaco and William Woods.
Canada Day in Old Hull
Canada Day celebrations in Old Hull will feature Canadian artists on the pop-up stage and various activities.
For more information, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/capital-region/event.html?id=63.
100 Wellington Street
Visit a temporary exhibit about Inuit culture, history and way of life before the heritage building closes for long-term development to become a permanent meeting space for Inuit, First Nations and Metis.
100 Wellington is hosted by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
100 Wellington Street will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre Orchestra presents a free concert on Canada Day, celebrating Canada and Canadians through the diverse artistry and unparalleled creativity of Canada's best and brightest musicians.
The concert begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, visit https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/34505.
Museums
For information on each museum in the region, visit the websites.
- Canadian Museum of Nature open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Canada Day (Admission is free)
- Canada Agriculture and Food Museum open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Canada Day (Admission is free)
- Canada Science and Technology Museum open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Admission is free)
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Canada Day. (Admission is free)
- Canadian War Museum open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Canada Day (Admission is free)
- Canadian Museum of History open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Canada Day (Admission is free)
- National Gallery of Canada open Canada Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Admission is free)
- The Diefenbunker open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Canada Day. (Admission is 50 per cent off)
- The Bytown Museum is closed on Canada Day
Bank of Canada Museum
Visit the Bank of Canada Museum on Bank Street on Canada Day.
The museum will be hosting several activities, including a trivia game related to money and the economy, and Canada Day crafts.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit https://www.bankofcanadamuseum.ca/.
Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks will kick off the Canada Day celebrations Friday night.
The Redblacks host the Edmonton Elks at 7:30 p.m. at TD Place.
Fans are invited to dress in red and white and celebrate Canadian pride and excitement.
A dazzling fireworks display will follow the game.
For tickets, visit https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/june-30-game/.
Ottawa Titans
The Ottawa Titans host the Quebec Capitales on Friday and Saturday at RCGT Park.
Fireworks will follow Friday's game.
On Saturday, events will be held at the ballpark to celebrate Canada Day.
Canada Day in Barrhaven
Celebrate Canada's 156th birthday in Barrhaven at Clarke Fields Park.
Events include a senior's and family breakfast at 8:30 a.m., a midway, Kids Zone Activity area, Indigenous display and entertainment.
Fireworks will wrap up the celebrations at 10 p.m.
For more information, visit https://canadadaybarrhaven.ca/.
People take in Canada Day festivities at Clarke Fields Park in Barrhaven. July 1, 2023, (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)
Beacon Hill
The Beacon Hill Community Association will celebrate Canada Day on July 1.
Organizers announced Saturday afternoon the fireworks at Loyola Park have been cancelled due to the weather.
For more information, visit https://bhca.ca/site/2023/06/beacon-hill-fireworks-2023/.
Canada Day in Greely
The Greely Community Association invites you to Canada Day celebrations at the Greely Community Centre.
The event starts at 12 p.m. with a barbecue, inflatables, a petting zoo, free play activities and live music. The fireworks begin at dusk.
For more information, visit https://greelycommunity.ca/stec_event/canada-day-fun-fireworks-in-greely/.
Canada Day in Kanata
Celebrate Canada Day in Kanata on Saturday.
Festivities at Walter Baker Park off Terry Fox Drive include a family fun zone and live bands.
The Mattamy Homes Fireworks Spectacular is cancelled on Canada Day. The fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, visit https://canadadayinkanata.com/.
Osgoode Village Canada Day
The Osgoode Village Community Association will host Canada Day celebrations on Saturday at Stuart Holmes Arena.
The event includes a Canada Day Parade and fireworks at 10 p.m.
Petrie Island
July 1 is going to rock at Petrie Island.
The Kiwanis of Eastern Ottawa presents Canada Day Orleans at Petrie Island.
Events include a KidZone, a BeerZone, live music and more. The beachfront fireworks will wrap up the evening.
For more information, visit https://www.ocanadaorleans.ca/.
Riverside South Community Association
Celebrate Canada Day at Claudette Cain Park in Riverside South.
The Riverside South Community Association will host a daytime celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with rides, shows by Reptiles Rock and Junkyard Symphony, a toddler zone, live DJ and more.
The evening show starts at 8 p.m. with live music, followed by fireworks at 10 p.m.
For more information, visit https://riversidesouth.org/canada-day#:~:text=July%201%2C%202023%2C%208pm%20%2D,10%20pm).
Stittsville
The Stittsville Village Association invites you to Canada Day festivities at Sacred Heart High School on Abbott Street.
The Canadian Heritage Canada stage will feature a selection of local talent, and there will be reptile shows, aerial performances, a food truck court and more.
The fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.
For more information, visit https://www.stittsvilleva.com/canadaday/.
Rideau Carleton Raceway
The Rideau Carleton Casino is celebrating Canada Day with a performance by multi-platinum recording artist Lee Aron.
The performance in The Joint will be followed by a 20-minute fireworks display beginning around 10 p.m.
There will also be an all-ages celebration starting at 8 p.m. with a live DJ, food and drinks.
For more information, visit https://www.rideaucarletoncasino.com/events.htm.
Trend Arlington
The Trend Arlington community association invites you to celebrate Canada Day on Bellman Drive.
The event runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring a bounce house, face painting, a petting zoo, music, BBQ and more.
Fireworks will begin at dusk.
For more information, visit https://www.trendarlington.ca/.
For a list of all Canada Day events in eastern Ontario, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/list-events.html.
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