Ottawa 
Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy returns tonight with an expansive and multi-sensory program.
Credit: Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy
The event, scheduled every Wednesday and Saturday from August 2 to 19, from 6 pm to 10 pm, aims to deliver a captivating experience for participants through a mix of culinary, multimedia, and pyromusical components. The Canadian Museum of History serves as the festival’s primary venue.
The event will feature a range of activities each night.
Art Installations
Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy
The 2022 festival brought new features, including light, immersive, and sensory experiences that are set to return this year along with a few new additions. Among these include “Los Trompos”, a large-scale, interactive artistic installation crafted by Esrawe + Cadena and presented in collaboration with Creos, which encourages visitor engagement. The Boîte d’art numérique, sponsored by Hydro-Québec, showcases new artwork that mirrors our relationships with consumerism and the omnipresence of screens in our lives.
Los-Trompos/ Brian-Wancho/
Like last year, you can enjoy a mesmerizing transformation of the event site through The Luminous Paths. Two new official entrances accessible via bridges will welcome attendees with illuminated pathways lined by mature trees. As night falls, these paths will become even more enchanting, creating a magical experience akin to stars settling after a grand pyromusical show. At the heart of the event stands Le Grand Feu, a massive bonfire acting as a central gathering point. This sculptural masterpiece emits light and smoke during the day and illuminates the night with a thousand lights, offering a place to meet, relax, eat, dance, and witness artistic performances.
The Lantern, a suspended installation with coloured illumination, adds to the wonder at the feet of majestic trees, providing an immersive moment of rest. The Oasis offers participants a refreshing respite from the summer heat with mist and captivating lighting. For family fun, Les Étincelles playground invites both young and old to enjoy games, campfires, and S’mores, while the nearby Baby Corner provides a tranquil space for family care.
Each Saturday, attendees can also access the exclusive exhibition “From Pepinot to PAW Patrol® – Television of Our Childhoods” at the Canadian Museum of History to further enhance their festival experience.
Culinary Offerings
Attendees can anticipate a selection of culinary offerings, including a pop-up BBQ restaurant, L’Incandescent. Here, a team of distinguished chefs will present a themed menu daily. Alternatively, participants can enjoy a discovery meal for two from a Picnic Box. This box will contain small dishes prepared by five Outaouais restaurateurs. The Promutuel Insurance Plaza will host seven street food trucks from local eateries. For those seeking an upscale dining experience, a Gourmet Evening will present a three-course menu in the Four Seasons Lounge at the museum, complete with reserved seating for the grand fireworks show.
Fireworks Show
Each evening will conclude with a themed fireworks show starting at 9:15 pm. These world-class pyromusical shows will be presented by different groups, such as Royal Pyrotechnie, PyroItaly, Fireworks for Africa, Vander, and Dance of Fire. Themes will span across Origins, Evolution in Motion, African Skies, Weather Forecasts, Colours of the Ukrainian Soul, and Mystery, with each presentation aimed at creating an enchanting and immersive experience for viewers.
Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy provides ticket options suitable for various preferences, including general admission, reserved seating, reduced mobility, and Gourmet Evening. The event opens its site at 6 pm, with entertainment running until the fireworks begin at 9:20 pm. The event concludes at 10 pm, and official parking will be available at 98 Victoria Street.
Trip Planning — Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy
In this 26th edition, enjoy 4 hours of fire-themed entertainment, including world-class pyro-musical shows, fiery culinary experiences, prodigious artistic performances, striking digital and multimedia art installations and more!
When:
Wednesdays & Saturdays | August 2 to 19, 2023 | 6 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Various entertainment: multi-sensory experiences, animation, culinary experiences and other surprises: 6:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.
The fireworks show: 9:20 p.m. 9:45 p.m.
Deadline to enter the site before the show: 9:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 2, Royal Pyrotechnie presents the grand opening with the theme Origins that will highlight the strength, respect, mutual aid and sharing that define the deep roots of the First Nations ;
- Saturday, August 5, PyroItaly presents Italy with the theme Evolution in Motion a potpourri of musical styles to suit all tastes ;
- Wednesday, August 9, Fireworks for Africa presents South Africa with the theme of African skies who will take you on a safari where the art, colors and dynamism of the continent will be highlighted ;
- Saturday, August 12, Vander presents the Philippines with the theme Weather forecasts, a dynamic show that mimics the country’s changing weather patterns throughout the year with a variety of songs that reflect this reality ;
- Wednesday, August 16, Dance of Fire presents Ukraine with the theme Colours of the Ukrainian soul, a visual symphony, artistically played with all the colors of the rainbow to the rhythm of captivating music ;
- Saturday, August 19, Royal Pyrotechnie presents the grand finale with the theme Mystery, a sensory experience in which the audience will be charmed and transported into a mysterious and enchanting world.
Where:
Canadian Museum of History, 100 Rue Laurier, Gatineau
Main entrances to the site: Laurier-Victoria and Laurier-Alexandra Bridge.
Parking ($11): Maison du Citoyen parking lot (Portage I and II sections), 98 Victoria Street. — opening of the parking lot 5:45 p.m.
You can also watch the fireworks from locations with a view of the Canadian Museum of History, like Parliament Hill.
Another option is to join Kaleidoscope Kayaking, an hour-long guided paddling tour (unaffiliated with the festival) down the historic Rideau Canal in Ottawa, culminating in a breathtaking view of the spectacular fireworks show.
There are various boat parties (unaffiliated with the festival), like Top 40 X Hip Hop Fireworks Boat Party, Fireworks Boat Cruise, Boat Party etc, on various dates of the festival.
How Much:
General Admission: $14.50; $6.50 per child
Reserved seat: $34
Gourmet Evening: $149
