Ottawa 
Ottawa is set to burst into bloom from May 8–18 as the Canadian Tulip Festival returns, marking its 74th year.
Canadian Tulip Festival, Commissioners Park, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa (CNW Group/Canadian Tulip Festival)
The Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, which has been an annual event since 1953, is one of the biggest events in the world that celebrates tulips as a symbol of peace and international friendship.
The festival is organized by the Canadian Tulip Legacy, a non-profit organization that commemorates the historic gift of tulips from the Dutch to Canadians after World War II.
This year’s programming mixes history with hands-on experiences. The CIBC Tulip Trek offers a self-guided route through the gardens, while a new 40-minute Tulip Trail experience traces the flower’s journey across 12,000 kilometres and 4,000 years. For those looking to cover more ground, the Polestar Tulip Taxi runs through a 1.2-kilometre stretch featuring 26 gardens and over 300,000 tulips.
Beyond the blooms, there is a packed schedule. An opening ceremony on May 9 includes a cannon salute and CF-18 flyover, honouring veterans from the Second World War to today. Cultural spaces like the Dutch and Korean pavilions highlight international ties, while the Tulip Market and Arteast Pavilion bring in local and artistic elements.
There are various places to see tulips in Ottawa, such as Commissioners Park, which features over 100 varieties of bulbs, including the Queen Juliana Gift Bed, donated by the Netherlands. Other spots include Major’s Hill Park and the Downtown Gatineau and Rideau Canal corridor, which connects Commissioners Park and downtown Ottawa.
Here are the highlights of 2026 Festival:
Credit: Canadian Tulip Festival
- Opening Ceremony (May 9): The Festival opens with a heartfelt remembrance ceremony that honours veterans from the Second World War to today, marked by a cannon salute and a dramatic CF-18 flyover overhead on May 9 at Commissioners Park.
- Ontario Guild of Town Criers Competition (May 9 & 10): This unique event brings together 15 town criers from across Ontario for lively performances starting at noon, as they compete to deliver the most impressive and entertaining traditional “cry,” with free public access.
- Tulip Market (May 8 – 18): The Tulip Market offers festival-goers a chance to purchase tulip bulbs, fresh flowers, and official merchandise. Located within Commissioners Park, it also features six local vendors selling tulip-themed handcrafted items, including candles, woodwork, and knitted goods—making it a charming place to shop and celebrate the floral season.
- CIBC Tulip Trek – ( May 8 – 18 – $5): Families can take part in the CIBC Tulip Trek, an interactive scavenger hunt at Commissioners Park. Participants follow six clues, learn tulip history, and complete a hands-on mission to help “save” the blooms.
- Tulip Trail (May 8 – 18 – $5): A new Tulip Trail invites visitors into a 4,000-year journey, from Central Asian origins to Ottoman gardens, Dutch Tulip Mania, and Canada’s wartime legacy, ending with an immersive photo experience inspired by Malak Karsh.
- Polestar Tulip Taxi (May 8 – 18 – $5): A hop-on, hop-off Tulip Taxi helps visitors navigate 1.2 kilometres of blooms across Commissioners Park, with three key stops connecting the south end, central festival area, and Dow’s Lake for easy access.
- Arteast Pavilion (May 8 – 18): Explore the Arteast Boutique, featuring tulip-inspired and Ottawa-themed artworks, with opportunities to browse, support local artists, and take part in hands-on creative activities that highlight the artistic process.
- Self-Guided Tour (May 8 – 18): Explore Commissioners Park at your own pace with a free, 45-minute QR code-guided tour in English and French. Seven key stops tell the story behind Canada’s wartime legacy and tulip symbolism, including the Queen Juliana Gift Bed and “The Man with Two Hats” statue. It’s an informative blend of history and horticulture.
- Flower Fun Run (May 10): The Flower Fun Run, starting at Dows Lake, offers a scenic, beginner-friendly route surrounded by vibrant tulips. The run offers an easy-to-follow path, and unforgettable views of Ottawa in bloom. It’s ideal for first-time runners and anyone looking to enjoy spring with a touch of movement.
- Play Zone (May 8 – 18): The Neo Financial Play Zone offers hands-on fun with oversized games, building stations, and weekend activities like obstacle courses and Nerf battles, led by youth-run Velocity Games and designed to keep kids active and engaged.
- Korean Pavilion (May 8–18): At the Korea Pavilion, visitors reflect on shared sacrifices during the Korean War while exploring interactive cultural experiences that highlight Korea’s traditions and its lasting connection with Canada and the Netherlands.
- Dutch Pavilion (May 8–18): The Pavilion offers a lively space to experience Dutch-Canadian friendship and the enduring legacy of wartime liberation through art, play, and music.
- Ontario’s Must-See Blossom Festivals
- Things to Do in Ottawa This Weekend
Trip Planning — Canadian Tulip Festival
CNW Group/Canadian Tulip Festival
The Canadian Tulip Festival is one of the largest events of its kind worldwide, showcasing over 30 tulip gardens in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
When: May 8 to 18, 2026
Where:
Commissioners Park is the major display site. Visitors can also see tulips along the Rideau Canal, Major’s Hill Park, downtown Ottawa, and Downtown Gatineau.
Parking, Transportation
- Park 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
- Park at the Canadian War Museum, and use the O-Train from Pimisi Station
- Park & walk from the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, stroll through the Ornamental Gardens and Dominion Arboretum, and walk 20 minutes to the Festival site
- Park in ByWard Market and use the Rideau O-Train Station to reach the Festival site at Dow’s Lake Station
- Park in Little Italy, and use the Corso Italia O-Train Station for a quick trip to Dow’s Lake Station
