Canadian Tulip Festival

About

The Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates Ottawa's unique connection to the Netherlands and the gift of tulips that symbolizes international friendship. Each May, over 300,000 tulips bloom across the National Capital Region.

Festival Dates

• Tulip Trail: May 8-18, 2026
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
• Fireworks & Drone Show: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 9:00 PM – 9:20 PM

Best Viewing Locations

• Commissioners Park – Main festival site with over 300,000 tulips alongside Dows Lake
• Major's Hill Park – One of the best sites for tulip blooms
• Alexandra Bridge area – Beautiful tulip displays
• Jacques-Cartier Park (Gatineau) – Worth the visit across the river
• Canadian Museum of History surroundings

What to Expect

• Free admission to see hundreds of thousands of blooming tulips
• Photo opportunities at stunning locations
• Festival programming and activities
• Food vendors and local artisans
• Spectacular fireworks and drone show finale

Getting There

Festival sites are accessible by walking, cycling, public transit, or driving. Commissioners Park is located along the Rideau Canal near Dows Lake.