As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, Canada’s capital eagerly anticipates the arrival of its iconic Tulip Festival, the largest of its kind in the world.
A celebration of the seasonal flower’s beauty and its historic ties to the capital, the festival is set to take place from 9th – 19th May, 2025.
Each May, over 300,000 tulips burst into bloom across Commissioners Park, lining the picturesque Rideau Canal and Dows Lake. Visitors from near and far flock to this horticultural spectacle that adorn the city with vibrant carpets of colour. Beyond the tulip displays, the festival also offers family-friendly entertainment, from lively cultural performances to interactive workshops.
Take photos and selfies amongst the dozens of multi-coloured garden beds; visit the heritage display to learn about the historic gift of tulips which led to the festival’s creation; shop for fresh-cut flowers, crafts, art and more at the tulip boutique; take the kids to the Tulip Town activity area; and enjoy lit garden beds and a blacklight boardwalk experience after dark!
Visitors can also enjoy a self-guided Legacy Tour that conveniently uses QR codes. Additional free programming includes daily outdoor movies at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as a new sound and light show every evening on the blacklight boardwalk at 9:15 p.m.
The festival began with a special gift. The Royal Family of the Kingdom of the Netherlands took refuge in Ottawa during the Second World War, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Margriet was born here in 1943. Two years later, Canadian troops played a key role in liberating the Netherlands. In gratitude, the Dutch government has sent Canada a gift of tulip bulbs every year since 1945, inspiring what has become the Canadian Tulip Festival.
For more information visit: https://ottawatourism.ca/en/see-and-do/canadian-tulip-festival
