Home Events Celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and beyond

Celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and beyond

by Laura Byrne Paquet
Published: Last Updated on 6.1K views
A+A-
Reset

The forecast for Canada Day this year looks sultry, so grab your sunscreen, an umbrella and lots of water before heading out! Here are more than 30 places to celebrate our country’s birthday.

In the list below, all fireworks are SCHEDULED for July 1 unless otherwise noted. Please note that fireworks will be CANCELLED anywhere where a fire ban is in place that day (and note that any fire bans apply to all fireworks, public or private).

Updated June 25, 2023.

Downtown Ottawa-Gatineau

As you probably know, downtown Ottawa-Gatineau is one of the best places in Canada to mark the country’s birthday. This year, the July 1 festivities will be taking place in several locations across Canada’s capital. A major focus will be LeBreton Flats, but there will also be activities on Parliament Hill, pop-up stages along Wellington Street and programming in downtown Hull.

Here’s the scoop on all the Canada Day fun in the Ottawa-Gatineau core. At LeBreton Flat, these include a miniature train, a BMX acrobatics show, giant bubbles, Ukrainian dancers, kids’ activities. There’s a midday ceremony from 11:45am to 1:30pm with lots of music. Don’t miss the group Delhi 2 Dublin if you’re there—their blend of bhangra and Irish music always gets me dancing. The evening show will feature all sorts of acts, including headliner Jann Arden, from 8pm to 10pm, and a fireworks show will follow.

The Snowbirds aerobatics team won’t be here this year; they’ll be celebrating Canada Day in Halifax, instead. Their next shows in the region will take place in Gatineau on September 16 and 17.

The City of Ottawa has useful tips on Canada Day beach openings, transit schedules, road closures and more.

Fireworks at 10pm at LeBreton Flats (good visibility from Place des Festivals Zibi in Hull, too).

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Family-friendly fun at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum on Canada Day include ice-cream making, face painting, learn-to-camp sessions with Parks Canada, Canadian trivia and more. Activities are scheduled for various times between 9:30am and 4pm. Admission is free but the museum advises visitors reserve online in advance. Tickets go on sale June 26.

the maple leaf flying, possibly on canada day.
Flickr/Creative Commons photo by marke1996.

Orleans

The family-friendly Orleans O Canada Day celebration returns to Petrie Island this year with bouncy castles, face painting, bagpipers, circus performers, and DJ and live music, between 11am and 11pm. Food and beer vendors will be on site. You can’t park on the island unless you have a handicapped-parking permit or other valid reason for parking on site, but there’s a free shuttle from the parking lot at La Cité Collégiale’s Orleans campus at 8700 Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard North. The last shuttle to the island leaves the campus at 7pm. For more details on entertainment, shuttles and more, see the event’s FAQ page. Free admission. Fireworks at 10pm.

Kanata

Canada Day in Kanata at Walter Baker Park (100 Charlie Rogers Way) actually starts on Friday, June 30, with an outdoor screening of Minions: Rise of Gru at dusk. On Saturday, July 1, the Canada Day fun will include a family fun zone, live music, balloon artists, a ’90s video dance party, magicians and bouncy castles. Here’s the FAQ page. Fireworks at 10pm.

Stittsville

The free Canada Day party in Stittsville takes place at Sacred Heart High School (5870 Abbott Street East) from 1pm to 10pm, with a birthday cake, a reptile show, a food truck court, aerial performances, live music and lots of other family-friendly fun. Fireworks at 9:45pm.

Barrhaven

Canada Day celebrations in Barrhaven will be happening at Clarke Fields Park (93 Houlahan Street). The fun starts early with a seniors’ and family breakfast (8:30am to 9:30am). The midway—which actually runs for four days, from June 30 to July 3—opens at 10am and runs until 11pm on Canada Day (hours differ on the other days). On July 1, there will also be a kids’ zone, Indigenous entertainment and displays, food and artisan vendors, and live music. Due to limited parking at the park, you’re urged to take the shuttle running from the Heart & Crown and McDonough’s Indpendent Grocer. Fireworks at 10pm.

Osgoode

Canada Day in Osgoode is centred on the Stuart Holmes Arena (5660 Osgoode Main Street). Attractions include a parade, face painting, a petting zoo, a bike decorating contest, a beer tent and live music. Check the event’s Facebook page for the full schedule. Fireworks.

Greely

In Greely, the hub of Canada Day festivities will be the Greely Community Centre (1448 Meadow Drive). The family-friendly party starts at noon and features bouncy castles, a petting zoo, a beer garden and live music. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Fireworks at dusk.

Wakefield

In Wakefield, the Canada Day celebrations include a dunk tank and a cookie contest.

Mont Tremblant

Canada Day at Tremblant will amuse visitors with face painting, live music, hula hooping, a flag raising and cake.

Arnprior

a gazebo, trees and parkland with river in background.
Robert Simpson Park in Arnprior overlooks the Ottawa River.

The hub of Arnprior’s celebrations is Robert Simpson Park (400 John Street North) from noon to 4pm. The free activities include cake, live music, bouncy castles and backyard games.

Canada Day fun elsewhere in Arnprior ranges from a pancake breakfast and a bike parade to a duck race and a strawberry social. Details are available via the link above.

Fireworks will be set off around 9:45pm from an island near the Madawaska Bridge; Hydro Park (70 Madawaska Boulevard) will be the best place to see them.

Renfrew

Renfrew has not yet announced its Canada Day plans as I type this on June 23, but when it does, you’ll find them here.

What could be more Canadian than this (aside from Joni Mitchell on the Parliament Hill carillon, of course)? Flickr/Creative Commons photo by Library and Archives Canada.

Eganville

Festivities for the Township of Bonnechere Valley are taking place all over Eganville, including the Bonnechere Museum, the Eganville Arena and the Eganville Legion. You can celebrate Canada Day with food trucks, fossil walks, bouncy castles, a musical scavenger hunt, bingo, live music and more. Fireworks at 9:30pm.

Pembroke

The Canada Day festivities in Pembroke in Riverside Park include a bonfire and an outdoor movie at dusk on June 30, and a day of fun on the Pembroke Waterfront on July 1, culminating with fireworks at Riverside Park. Fireworks time TBA.

Petawawa

Petawawa is marking Canada Day with an afternoon of free activities at the Pembroke Civic Centre (16 Civic Centre Road) from noon to 4pm. The fun includes a fire department slip and slide, a petting zoo, live music, and inflatables.

Kemptville

Kemptville’s free Canada Day celebrations will centre on Riverside Park on Reuben Crescent and will run from 10:30am to 10:30pm. As I write this, details are still be finalized, but check the link above for the latest news.

Oxford Mills

Free daytime festivities in Maplewood Park (Maplewood Avenue) from 11:45am to 4pm include a sword-fighting demonstration, kids’ activities and three live bands. Barbecue goodies, crepes and ice cream will be available.

Flickr/Creative Commons photo by Pen Waggener.

Carleton Place

Free Canada Day activities start at 12:45 at Riverside Park (179 John Street) and include live entertainment, family activities and a vendors’ alley. Fireworks start at 9:45pm.

Almonte

Almonte is celebrating both Canada Day and the community’s bicentennial with a day of activities at Gemmill Park (182 Bridge Street), starting at 1:30pm. There will be bouncy castles, puppets, a giant Jenga game, crafts, lots of live music (including headliners Monkey Junk), barbecued goodies, pizza and more. Fireworks at dusk.

Pakenham

As usual, Pakenham is getting a jump on the festivities with Canada Day Eve celebrations—a parade, along with face painting, live music and a barbecue—at the Stewart Community Centre (112 Macfarlane Street) on Friday, June 30, starting at 5pm. On Canada Day itself, there’s a fireman’s pancake breakfast starting at 7:30am. Fireworks start at dusk ON JUNE 30

Perth

In Perth, the hub of activity is Conlon Farm Recreation Park, starting at 5pm. Enjoy a barbecue, the farm’s splash pad, a magic show and cupcakes. Fireworks at 10pm.

Smiths Falls

Canada Day fun in Lower Reach Park (Old Slys Road) will include vendors, family fun and live music, from 11am to 11pm. Check the link for more information closer to the day. Fireworks at dusk.

Merrickville

Highlights of Merrickville’s Canada Day activities include a parade starting at noon, followed by music and food at Blockhouse Park in the afternoon (12:45pm to 4:30pm) and slo-pitch and a bouncy castle at the Fairgrounds (1pm to 4pm). Blockhouse Park is at 279 St. Lawrence Street and the Fairgrounds are at 446 Main Street West.

Flickr/Creative Commons photo by Tom Childers.

Westport

Canada Day fun in Westport includes helicopter rides, a carriage display, a fish fry and a bicycle parade. Fireworks at 10pm.

Kingston

There’s lots going on in Kingston on July 1 in multiple locations, including disc golf, bouncy castles, magic shows, wagon rides and beach volleyball. Fireworks at Confederation Basin at 10pm.

moose in the snow in jasper.
Here’s another Canadian icon, enjoying cooler weather than we will this weekend. Photo by Ivars Krutainis on Unsplash.

Brockville

Brockville’s Canada Day commemorations are split in half. Starting at 11:45am, there will be a procession of pipes, drums, re-enactors, first responders and dignitaries along King Street to Court House Green, for cupcakes, speeches and O Canada. In the evening, fireworks will light up the St. Lawrence waterfront (rain date July 2). Fireworks at 9:30pm.

Prescott

Canada Day festivities in Prescott include games, crafts and Little Ray’s Reptiles at the Leo Boivin Community Centre (444 Prince Street), from noon to 4pm. Fireworks at dusk.

Morrisburg

In Morrisburg, Earl Baker Park and Waterfront Park are the hubs for Canada Day activities, which include bingo, a petting zoo, a teddy bear clinic, bike decorating, a chicken barbecue and live music. Fireworks at dusk.

Russell

There’s lots going on in Russell on Canada Day. In fact, the festivities start on Friday, June 30, with a beer garden and live music. On Saturday, July 1, there will be a volleyball tournament, kids’ games, a giant water sprinkler, and the return of the beer garden and live music. It’s all happening at the Russell Fairgrounds (1076 Concession Street). Fireworks at 10pm on July 1 at Russell High School (982 North Russell Road).

Long Sault

Long Sault’s Canada Day activities include face painting, games and vendors at Arnold Bethune Park on Simcoe Street, from 11am to 7pm. There will also be family activities at the Lost Villages Museum (16361 Fran Laflamme Drive) from 11am to 4pm. Fireworks at dusk, in Long Sault.

Another iconic Canadian image—a Mountie! Flickr/Creative Commons photo by Ruth Hartnup.

Cornwall

The fun in Lamoureux Park (100 Water Street East) starts with a pancake breakfast at 10am and continues all day, with everything from a beer garden and bouncy castles to science shows. A free shuttle bus will bring people to the park throughout the day. Fireworks at 10pm.

L’Orignal

The municipal beach (772 Front Street) is the site of l’Orignal’s Canada Day festivities, which start at noon and feature bouncy castles, a waterslide and DJ on the beach, beef on a bun, baked beans and live music. Fireworks at 10pm.

Lefaivre

Lefaivre is celebrating Canada Day at Riverside Park (1965 Lajoie Street) with zumba, yoga, bouncy castles, children’s shows, live music and more. Fireworks at 10:15pm.

Rockland

Canada Day fun is part of the longer Clarence-Rockland Festival from June 28 to July 3 at Simon Park (1450 du Parc Avenue, Rockland). On Canada Day, there will be inflatables, live music, pony rides and other family-friendly activities. Fireworks at 10pm on July 1, followed by a DJ dance party.

Montreal

The main celebrations are happening on Canada Day in the Old Port from 1pm onward. See a citizenship ceremony, cover your ears during the 21-gun salute, learn about national parks, catch a concert…that’s just the start of the list.

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais, northern New York state and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Related Articles

17 comments

Jane Sica June 29, 2015 - 1:32 pm

You forgot Cobourg, On
4 days of vendors and events. Fireworks! You should check it out!

Reply
Laura Byrne Paquet June 29, 2015 - 1:36 pm

Four days! That’s substantial.Thanks for letting me know, Jane. For those who want to check it out, here’s the link for info on the Waterfront Festival: http://waterfrontfestival.ca/

Reply
Candice Vetter June 30, 2016 - 8:32 am

There’s also Russell, South Mountain, Vars, Avonmore and Morrisburg.

Reply
Laura Byrne Paquet July 1, 2016 - 4:27 pm

Thanks, Candice! I think I’m going to make this post even longer next year. So much to cover!

Reply
Candice Vetter June 30, 2016 - 8:33 am

Sorry! I see you mentioned S. Mountain.

Reply
Glenn July 1, 2016 - 12:25 pm

Great list Laura. Thanks and happy Canada Day!

Reply
Laura Byrne Paquet July 1, 2016 - 4:26 pm

Thanks, Glenn! Happy Canada Day to you and Judy!

Reply
Louise June 27, 2017 - 8:07 am

Unfortunately you seem to have every place around the Ottawa are up to Pembroke and Cobden, but nothing on Eganville, why?

Reply
Laura Byrne Paquet June 27, 2017 - 9:18 am

Good point, Louise–it was an oversight on my part. Thanks for flagging it! I’ve just added the Eganville information.

Reply
Sherry Crummy June 27, 2017 - 12:52 pm

Thanks for the great list, Laura. What an amazing week of celebration #Canada150

Reply
Sharon Hewitt June 27, 2017 - 2:07 pm

I get a lot of emails, but none I look forward to as much as yours! Thanks for always adding value with your suggestions, recommendations and links! Happy Canada Day to you and yours Laura.🇨🇦

Reply
Phil June 28, 2017 - 8:55 am

Thank you!

Reply
Laura Byrne Paquet June 29, 2017 - 10:39 am

You’re welcome! Happy Canada Day!

Reply
Catherine June 28, 2017 - 5:12 pm

Orleans is having a 3 day Canada Day celebration at Petrie Island!

Thank you for putting this list together!

Reply
Laura Byrne Paquet June 29, 2017 - 10:39 am

You’re welcome! I will add Orleans to the list!

Reply
Karhy June 30, 2017 - 8:48 pm

KANATA always has a great celebration with fireworks second only to Parliament. Includes bandstand, rides, Waterpark, huge gazebo by a cattail pond, and sunsets all at Walter Baker Park beside the Kanata Recreational Centre, Terry Fox Drive near Hazeldean.

Reply
17+ ideas for fun this week: Studio tours, fireworks, ribs and Canada Day - Ottawa Road Trips June 30, 2022 - 10:17 am

[…] Communities large and small are celebrating Canada’s birthday on Friday, July 1 (and several are getting a head start on Thursday). I have the scoop on fireworks times and locations, as well as all the bouncy castles, bike parades and beer gardens you can handle, in my extensive guide to Canada Day celebrations across Eastern Ontario. […]

Reply

Leave a Comment