Canada Day Celebration Festival

Vous né savez pas ce qu’est une véritable célébration d’une fête nationale si vous n’avez pas vécu un Canada Day à Ottawa, la capitale du Canada. Le 1er juillet commémore l’indépendance du pays en 1867, vis-​à-​vis du Royaume-​Uni. Ce jour est fêté dans le pays entier mais c’est encore plus intense et particulier à Ottawa.
Le Centre ville est complétement coupé à la circulation et tout le monde y déboule en blanc et rouge, les couleurs du Canada. Les festivités commencent le matin pour se terminer en apothéose par un splendide feu d’artifice — sur ce point là les Canadiens sont aussi fans de feux d’artifices que les français.
La fête continue toute la nuit dans les rue de la ville.
Il est impossible de s’ennuyer une seule seconde durant cette journée. Toute est très bien organisé avec des points d’eau gratuits installés dans tous les lieux stratégiques de la ville pour né pas être déshydraté en été, et des navettes de bus gratuites parcourent les deux rives pour relier l’Ontario au Québec afin de profiter de toute la fête.
On passé d’une rive à l’autre pour s’amuser, se cultiver et en prendre plein les yeux. La journée se clôture par un concert sur la colline du Parlement avec les plus grands artistes canadiens et par un feu d’artifice qui nous en met plein les yeux. Une journée merveille où l’on sent vraiment que les Canadiens sont fiers de leur pays et il y a de quoi. Je m’en souviendrai toute ma vie.

Fantastic day in the capital every year!
There are always the idiots who try and ruin by protesting or being obnoxious but the concerts and guests are always great and everyone is in a great mood!
The fireworks that follow the daytime features are in.cred.ible as far as Canadian shows go.
Highly recommend coming to the capital to check it out.

Wow, Canada Day in the Nation’s capitol. Of course this place is going to be bumpin’ right? I imagined it would be but did not imagine to the extent that this place would be bumpin’. Rideu Street is shut down and it’s just filled with locals and tourists, street vendors, and tons of food carts. At Parliament Hill there is a stage set up for a free concert featuring a bunch of Canadian bands (Simple Plan, Fiest, etc) and it’s just a crazy scene. There are also street performers, a lot of red and white and just… it’s a crazy street party. Minus the alcohol so if you need some, you’ll have to go to the Byward Market to a bar and get some or pre-​drink. Something about alcohol in public, the law just doesn’t agree with it. The fireworks, I’ve heard some years are better than others and this past year was one of those not so good ones. They lasted about 15 minutes long which I think is pretty standard across Ontario anyway and don’t be fooled like myself and many other tourists were: The fireworks are done down by the river. So find a place accordingly or walk over to Hull. Ottawa side, a lot of us thought the fireworks would be fairly central in regards to Parliament and the concert stage. I figured the fireworks would be set up behind the stage and in front of the central part of Parliament. Maybe I’m dumb for thinking that but guess what, so was I don’t know how many thousands of people. Even with the lack of amazing fireworks, the whole thing was amazing. Also, after the fireworks, unlike the city of Toronto say, there was no pushing/​shoving to get out. It was weird but people were calm and it was just nice and easy. Anyway, Ottawa is a beautiful city and I would definitely come back for a Canada Day celebration again.

This is the only day of the year I rarely question where I want to be to celebrate a holiday. The only answer should be in Ottawa. I wish every weekend (or possible everyday) in Ottawa was like Canada Day. The whole downtown core is lively, happening and smiles all around. People are dressed up and proud to show off their love of Canada. To top it off it’s a full day full of festivities that include live free concerts on Parliament Hill, vendors out and about in the Market and downtown celebrating Canada Day, people filling up the downtown core to come have a good time, fireworks show at night and continued festivities and parties throughout the night. Everyday should be this lively!
Canada Day in Ottawa is a sight to be seen. I recommend everyone have a chance to see it once. I’d book your hotel or friends couch early as they do fill up quickly.

If you don’t like the crowds (like me) go down and wander around Parliament Hill the day before! The stage is up, the bands and big name entertainment are rehearsing and doing sound levels, people are doing «downward dog» on the grass, the red-​coated rifle-​toting sentry is already stationed on the Tomb of the Unknown soldier to prevent anyone peeing on it, its a lot of entertainment without the actual 10 km Canada Day walk home because all the buses are stuffed full.

LOVE Canada Day in downtown Ottawa! Some people aren’t fans because of the large crowds, but that’s pretty much the point of going downtown. It’s the biggest Canada Day festival that I’ve ever experienced, especially since some people in Toronto don’t even know when Canada Day is, much less celebrate it.
The streets are closed off, rammed with people dressed in red and white and donned in Canadian gear. There are extra OC Transpo buses to get you downtown, and fare is free after 10pm.
There is live entertainment, buskers, and all sorts of food stands. There are games and prizes to be won, and activities and shows for people of all ages and interests. You can get your face painted, have a caricature drawn, meet a mountie, watch jugglers and street performers, and enjoy live bands. There are also tons of vendors and shops selling fashion and accessories with the Canadian flag, and restaurants and bakeries selling Canadian flag-​shaped goods. During the nighttime festivities, a huge concert is held on Parliament Hill, with Canadian performers like Sarah McLachlan, K’Naan, Blue Rodeo, Joel Plaskett, and the Barenaked ladies. The show ends with fireworks!
If you’ve never been to Ottawa during Canada Day, you’re missing out on a unique experience. Even if some people may not enjoy it as much as others, it’s still something you have to try at least once. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack water, sunscreen, and a sweater for the nighttime, at the bare minimum.

Canada Day in Ottawa — I could probably write a book about the ins and outs and the do’s and don’ts of this crazy show.
First off let’s break it into two parts.
Part 1 — The ceremonial Parliament Hill stuff. If you like pomp and pagentry and want to get a view of the dignitaries then you’ll want to get up early and find a prime spot along the red ropes on Parliament Hill. The area becomes packed and you’ll never get to see anyone in person if you show up late. Keep in mind that security is much tighter than most days so avoid bringing big bags and if at ALL possible please don’t bring strollers if the kids can manage on their own. Dogs should avoid this crowd too. It’s nuts!
The ceremony is pretty good and usually includes the RCMP musical ride (on the west lawn), words from guests and the PM and GG along with concerts and a flyover (usually the Snowbirds) and the peak of the show is the singing of our anthem right around noon. Bring water and sunscreen if it’s a nice day. You’ll roast in the heat and the crowds are shoulder to sweaty shoulder.
Part 2 — The afternoon and evening fun. Usually I find myself at the noon show on the Hill and then at a bar or pub nearby for the afternoon. The downtown is a mess with street closures and people walking (by 4pm they start stumbling) around looking for anywhere to eat and relax. Sometimes people start to look like zombies because they didn’t properly prepare themselves for the crowds, heat and lack of places to enjoy food (it’s a Stat holiday keep in mind).
By late afternoon/​evening you should have nailed down somewhere to sit for a few hours because it’s really hard to get in anywhere if you do plan to bar hop.
Whatever you do make sure you delegate someone in your group to keep an eye on the clock (we failed at this last year!) because at around 10pm the highlight of the day begins — the amazing fireworks.
Most people watch the fireworks from the street or Parliament Hill or Major’s Hill park which are OK but super crowded. I found that the hill near Lester B Pearson Building is a good venue as are any rooftops you’re able to find open in the downtown area (this requires planning and lots of asking).
Remember. Pace yourself. It’s a long but really fun day. Oh and wear red but don’t be that person who plans to meet your friend and tells them «I’ll be on the lawn at Parliament Hill — wearing red».