Canadian Tulip Festival

Ottawa’s award-winning flagship festival since 1953, the Canadian Tulip Festival is one of the largest events of its kind in the world celebrating Ottawa’s official flower as a symbol of international friendship and peace. The Canadian Tulip Festival is an event of the Canadian Tulip Legacy, a non-profit charitable organization established to celebrate the historic Royal gift of tulips from the Dutch to Canadians after World War II.

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2026 Highlights

• CIBC Tulip Trek: Step into the ultimate spring scavenger hunt at Commissioner’s Park. Gather the family, put on your detective hats, and see if you have what it takes to solve the mystery and water the tulips!
• 270 West Consulting Presents the Tulip Trail: Travel through 4 centuries and across 12,000 kilometers experiencing the journey of the tulip, from the wilds of the Himalayan Mountains to right here in Ottawa, Canada, for only $5 per person.
• Polestar Ottawa Tulip Taxi: Cart rides in Commissioners Park. Enjoy an audio tour while travelling the 1.2 kilometer park, featuring 26 gardens, 100+ varieties and 300,000 tulips! Purchase your wristband, at any of our Info Centres.
• Dutch Pavilion: A Dutch Experience with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands May 8 – 18, 2026
• Tulip Market: Discover the creativity and craftsmanship of some of the region’s most talented artisans at our Tulip Market.
• CF Rideau Centre Self-guided Tour: Explore the history and symbolism of our blooms with our FREE self-guided tour.
• Opening Ceremony: Honour Veterans from the Second World War to Today, with a Remembrance Ceremony including Cannon Salute and CF18 Fly Over. Saturday, May 9th, 2026, 11:00am – 12:00pm
• Korean Pavilion: At the Korea Pavilion, honor the shared history and sacrifices of Canada and the Netherlands during the Korean War, celebrating the lasting friendship forged on the Korean Peninsula. Visitors can explore the Korean cultural experience zone and enjoy Korea’s rich traditions through interactive activities.
• Neo Financial Play Zone featuring Velocity Games: Get ready for big fun and even bigger energy at Neo Financial’s Play Zone! With oversized yard games, creative building stations, and hands-on activities for all ages, this is the ultimate space for kids to play, explore, and burn off some energy.
• CF Rideau Centre x Canadian Tulip Festival: Located in the vibrant downtown core, CF Rideau Centre is proud to partner with the Canadian Tulip Festival—bringing together two of the city’s most iconic spring experiences.
• Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!:Participate in the Ontario Guild of Town Criers Competition at the Canadian Tulip Festival. All are welcome, and no tickets are required. May 9 – 10, 2026 | 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• Karaoké Radio-Canada: Enjoy a relaxing and engaging cultural experience presented by Radio-Canada. May 9 & 18, 2026 | 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Explore Ottawa’s Greenspace

Delight in a self-guided tour of Ottawa’s public gardens exploding with millions of tulips in bloom from the Governor General’s residence to the Central Experimental Farm and back to Parliament Hill via Gatineau.

 

HOW MUCH

Free and ticketed events.

 

How to get tickets?

Buy Online

Festival: May 8 to 18, 2026 | 10 AM – 10 PM – Schedule

Venue:

Commissioners Park – Dow’s Lake
and
Ottawa’s public gardens

 

Trip Planning

Transit, Parking & Walking Options

• Parking at Carleton University P7 Lot, with a short walk to the south entrance of the Festival, and a short distance to the Carleton O-Train Stop.
• Take advantage of the O-Train Line 2, which now stops at the Dow’s Lake station, right beside the Festival grounds.
• Accessible parking on Dow’s Lake Road (east side) and drop-off at Dow’s Lake Pavilion roundabout