Guide to the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa
Everything you need to know about the Canadian Tulip Festival — from the best spots to see tulips to the history behind one of Ottawa's most iconic spring traditions.
Every May, over a million tulips bloom across Ottawa, turning the capital into one of the most colourful cities in the country. The Canadian Tulip Festival is the centrepiece of it all — a free, 11-day celebration that draws over 650,000 visitors to the city each year.
But the festival is more than just flowers. It's rooted in a piece of Canadian history that most people don't know about.
The Story Behind the Tulips
During the Second World War, the Dutch royal family fled the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and found refuge in Ottawa. Princess Juliana and her daughters lived in the city from 1940 to 1945, and in 1943, Princess Margriet was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. The Canadian government went so far as to declare the hospital's maternity ward temporary Dutch soil, ensuring the princess would have exclusive Dutch nationality.
Meanwhile, Canadian soldiers played a central role in liberating the Netherlands in 1945. Over 7,600 Canadians died in the effort.
After the war, Princess Juliana sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa as a gesture of gratitude — for sheltering her family and for the sacrifices made by Canadian troops. The Dutch royal family has continued sending tulip bulbs to Ottawa every year since.
In 1953, photographer Malak Karsh proposed turning the annual tulip display into a public festival. That first festival became what is now the Canadian Tulip Festival — the world's largest free public tulip festival.
Where to See the Tulips
Commissioners Park at Dow's Lake (Main Venue)
Commissioners Park is the heart of the festival. Over 300,000 tulips bloom across 26 flower beds along the western shore of Dow's Lake, with more than 100 different varieties on display.
This is where most of the festival activities happen — pavilions, markets, food vendors, and evening events. The waterfront setting with Dow's Lake in the background makes it the best spot for photos.
- Address: 1001 Queen Elizabeth Driveway
- Transit: Dow's Lake O-Train Station (Line 2)
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings to avoid crowds
Major's Hill Park
Across town near the ByWard Market, Major's Hill Park has a smaller but beautiful tulip display with views of the Parliament Buildings and the Ottawa River. It's less crowded than Commissioners Park and easy to combine with a walk through the market.
Parliament Hill & Surrounding Grounds
Tulips are planted along the paths around Parliament Hill and along Wellington Street. Not as concentrated as the main venues, but worth seeing if you're already in the area.
Along the Rideau Canal
Scattered tulip beds line the canal pathways between Dow's Lake and downtown. A walk or bike ride along the canal in mid-May is one of the best ways to see the city in bloom.
2026 Festival Details
- Dates: May 8–18, 2026
- Admission: Free
- Opening Ceremony: Saturday, May 9 at 11 AM (includes a Remembrance Ceremony and CF-18 flyover)
- Fireworks & Drone Show: Sunday, May 17 at 9 PM
What to Do at the Festival
Free:
- Walk through the tulip beds at Commissioners Park
- Self-guided Tulip Legacy Tour
- Outdoor movies (daily at 2 PM and 7:30 PM)
- Sound and light show on the blacklight boardwalk (nightly at 9:15 PM)
- Visit the Dutch Pavilion, Korean Pavilion, and Arteast Pavilion
Paid ($5/person):
- Tulip Trail — an interactive walk through 4 centuries of tulip history
- Tulip Taxi — cart rides with audio tours through the park
- CIBC Tulip Trek — quest-style game through the festival grounds
Tulip Market
Pick up live potted tulips, festival merch, and gifts at the Tulip Market:
- Weekdays: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Weekends: 10 AM – 8 PM
Tips for Your Visit
- Check the NCC Tulip Meter before heading out — it tracks bloom levels across the city in real time
- Peak bloom is usually the second week of May, but it shifts by a few days depending on spring temperatures
- Go early — weekday mornings are the least crowded, and the light is best for photos
- Bring layers — mid-May in Ottawa can be anything from 10°C to 25°C
- Walk or bike the canal from downtown to Dow's Lake for the full tulip route
- Combine with the ByWard Market — stop at Major's Hill Park tulips, then grab lunch in the market
Getting There
- By Transit: Dow's Lake Station (O-Train Line 2) — a short walk to Commissioners Park
- By Car: Limited street parking on Queen Elizabeth Driveway; paid lots near Dow's Lake Pavilion
- By Bike: Ride the Rideau Canal pathway directly to the park — bike racks available on site
