Canada’s capital is at the centre of this year’s Canada Day celebrations, with a variety of celebrations scheduled for the Monday holiday.
And if you want to avoid getting caught in traffic, OC Transpo is once again offering free service for the holiday.
Here’s a rundown of activities on what now looks like a sunny day in the capital:
Parliament Hill
Several musical performances will be held on Parliament Hill, including The Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes & Drums and the The 75 & 742 Air Cadets Squadrons Band Programs, starting at 9 a.m.
The SkyHawks, the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, will offer an aerial performance on the Hill at 3 p.m. The team will be available for questions and autographs.
Canada Day mainstage
The Canada Day mainstage is at LeBreton Flats July 1, with daytime celebrations running from noon to 1:15 p.m. An evening show goes from 8 to 10 p.m., followed by fireworks.
More music
As part of the Ottawa Jazz Festival, local traditional jazz quartet Capital City Stompers will offer a free performance at Confederation Park across from Ottawa City Hall. If you like trombone, guitar, clarinet and tuba, this is the show for you.
Across the Ottawa River, the ’90s Quebec band Dubmatique will play a free late night concert from 10 to 11 pm at the Laval Street pedestrian precinct in the Hull sector of Gatineau.
And once again the NAC Orchestra and special guests will deliver a celebratory concert at 2:30 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall, featuring over 100 years of Canadian music.
In the skies
Keep an eye on the sky for a series of aviation events marking the nation’s birthday. The Royal Canadian Airforce will do their annual Centennial Flypast over Parliament Hill and LeBreton Flats at 1 pm. A CF-18 Hornet Cockpit Experience also will be offered at the Canadian War Museum for aviation enthusiasts.
Local celebrations
Additionally to national celebrations, each neighbourhood in Ottawa is hosting their own activities for Canada Day:
- In Barrhaven, events and vendors start at 8:30 a.m. and end with fireworks at 10 p.m.
- The Beacon Hill community association hosts fireworks at dusk.
- Carleton Place has live music, family activities, food vendors and fireworks starting at 12:30 p.m.
- Mississippi Mills hosts a pancake breakfast at 10 a.m. On the evening of June 30, there will be vendors, activities and musical performances starting June 30.
- Dunrobin Community Centre hosts an event at 4 p.m.
- Greely Community Centre’s celebration starts at noon and includes vendors, a petting zoo, a car show, and more.
- Walter Baker Park in Kanata celebrates with a family fun zone, fireworks and a live band on June 30 and July 1.
- Osgoode’s Canada Day Festival will take place at Village Park and Stuart Holmes Arena starting at 11:30 a.m. where music, contests and food will be served.
- Clarence-Rockland’s festivities at Simon Park start at 8 a.m. and include music, fireworks and a car show.
- Riverside South Community Association Canada Day is hosting a day of games and activities at Claudette Cain Park starting at 10 a.m.
- Stittsville’s celebrates with food trucks, fireworks and activities starting at 6 p.m.
- Gatineau hosts La fête du Canada dans le Vieux-Hull (Canada Day in Old Hull) at noon.
Museums
Most museums in the city offer free admission on July 1. Admission to the Deifenbunker is 50 per cent off.
ByWard Market
ByWard Market hosts a three-day event including musical performances curated by the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition and the vintage apparel Real Fly Market.
Indigenous culture
An exhibition of Inuit culture runs from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. at the Indigenous Peoples Place at 100 Wellington St., which will then become an official meeting place for Métis, First Nations and other Indigenous people.
Free medicine wheel bracelet making will also be running all day at LeBreton Flats, alongside Indigenous Experiences presented by Mādahòkì Farm. Learn about Ojibwe tradition and make your own woodland drawing.
