Vanier Sugar Festival

About

The Vanier Sugar Festival celebrates its 41st year in 2026! This flagship event celebrates the sugaring-off season while giving you a chance to renew with the traditions of artisanal maple syrup production at Canada's only urban sugar shack.

Located less than 5 kilometres from downtown Ottawa in a 17.5-acre maple sugar bush, the Vanier Museopark keeps the tradition of maple syrup production alive.

Details

• Soup(e) Splash: Monday, March 9, 5:30 PM (19th edition)
• Family & Community Days: Saturday & Sunday, March 28–29, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
• Admission: Free (some paying activities on site)

Activities

• Sugar shack meals and maple taffy
• Live musical performances
• Mini-farm
• Amateur lumberjack skills competition
• Inflatable games
• Space dedicated to First Nations culture
• And more!

Maple Season

The 2026 maple season at the Vanier Sugar Shack runs from February 15 to April 19. The shack is open without reservations on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Note: The sugar shack will be closed during the Sugar Festival and the week before (March 16–29, 2026).