Ottawa Special Events

February
On weekends in February, it's Winterlude 613/239-5000
An extravaganza with parades, ice-sculpture competitions, fireworks, speed skating, snowshoe races, ice boating, curling, and more. One offbeat contest is the bed race on the frozen canal, while the most exciting event may be the harness racing on ice.

May
Ottawa's biggest event is the Canadian Tulip Festival 888/465-1867
For about 2 weeks in mid-May, when the city is ablaze with 200 varieties of tulips enlivening public buildings, monuments, embassies, homes, and driveways. (Among the best viewing points is Dow's Lake.) The festival began in 1945, when the Netherlands sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada in appreciation of the role Canadian troops played in liberating Holland. Festival events include fireworks, concerts, parades, and a flotilla on the canal.

R.C.M.P. Musical Ride Sunset Ceremony
613/ 993-3751
With outdoor evening performances of music and horsemanship, including jumping and dressage, as well the ride itself.

National Capital Air Show in late May
613/526-1030

June
National Capital Dragon Boat Race Festival in late June
613/238-7711

Children's Festival
613/728-5863
In early June, the Canadian Museum of Nature holds this extravaganza of dance, mime, puppetry, and music.

Festival Franco-Ontarien
613/741-1225
In late June, a 5-day celebration of Francophone Canada, featuring classical and other musical concerts, fashion shows, street performers, games and competitions, crafts, and French cuisine.

July
Canada Day
800/ 465-1867
On July 1, Canadians flock to the city to celebrate a huge birthday party with many kinds of entertainment, including fireworks.

Ottawa International Jazz Festival
613/241-2633
For 10 days in mid-July, the city is filled with the mainstream and cutting-edge sounds of local, national, and international artists giving more than 125 performances at more than 20 venues.

Ottawa Chamber Music Festival
613/234-8008
North America's largest chamber music festival, with 74 concerts in the city's churches. It lasts 2 weeks.

August
Central Canada Exhibition
613/237-7222
10-days in mid- to late August.

Billings Estate Museum
2100 Cabot St
613/247-4830
Annual Heritage trades fair. Blacksmiths, quilters, cooks and others will demonstrate their crafts, and sell items.: Special historical tours will be offered; tea will be served on the lawn. Local artists will display their work. Daily (except Mondays and Saturdays): Tea will be served under a large striped marquee in the gardens. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

September
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
819/243-2330
On Labor Day weekend, scores of brilliantly colored balloons fill the skies over Ottawa, while on the ground, people flock to musical events and midway rides.

December
In the months of December and January, Parliament Hill, Confederation Boulevard and the downtown area are ablaze with a dazzling display of lights forming a symbolic link of similar Christmas Lights displays in other provincial and territorial capitals, as part of the National Capital Commission's "Christmas Lights Across Canada" program.