Tulips, Mom, and Queen Victoria
- Francie Healy
- Apr 22
- 4 min read
May in Ottawa! There are so many things to do, see and celebrate, especially on and around Mother’s Day and the long Victoria Day weekend.
This list only touches on some of the happy things you might want to attend.
Especially for children
If you have little people in your life, the Ottawa Children’s Festival de la jeunesse (OCF) could be the very thing for you. This lovely festival has delighted children since 1985 with high-quality theatre, dance and music from around the world as well as exciting educational activities.
Here are the details:
MAY 8–13
Lansdowne Park - 1525 Princess Patricia Way
The Great Lawn & Horticulture Building
Shows and tickets here.
The Tulip Festival
May 9–19 2025
One of the most famous spring celebrations of all is Ottawa’s Tulip Festival. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful; it is also historic, a symbol of international friendship beginning with the gift of tulips from the Dutch people immediately following WWII.
Where to see the tulips
Commissioners Park, corner of Preston Street and Queen Elizabeth Drive, has the largest concentration of tulips.
There is no dedicated parking lot in the park.
A limited number of rentable wheelchairs and several portable washrooms are accessible.
Regular washrooms are available in the nearby Dows Lake Pavilion on Queen Elizabeth Drive, about a four- or five-minute walk away.
Paved pathways are suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
There are many shaded spots and benches.
Along the Rideau Canal
This beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site connects two great places to see the tulips: Commissioners Park and downtown Ottawa.
Downtown Ottawa
On foot
Walk and explore all the wonderful tulip beds throughout downtown. Major’s Hill Park, at the corner of Sussex Drive and Mackenzie Avenue, is one of the best sites to see tulips. Look for planters along Confederation Blvd and the displays at the National War Memorial, across from the National Arts Centre at Wellington and Elgin Streets.
By bike
You can rent bikes (regular and electric) as well as accessories across from the Fairmont Château Laurier and on Sparks Street near Parliament Hill. Take the flat and lovely pathway along the canal to Commissioners Park.
By bus
You can take the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour for more than 15 locations, including the tulip areas.
Downtown Gatineau
There are tulips near the Alexandra Bridge, Jacques-Cartier Park and the Canadian Museum of History, within walking distance from Major’s Hill Park.
Other Tulip Festival Events
Free, all day, May 9–19
Two movies each day for all ages.
Preston Street and Queen Elizabeth Driveway
May 9–19, free
Such a family activity! During the day, explore the boardwalk and learn about the exciting world of bugs. And then… starting at 8pm until 10:30pm, the Blacklight Boardwalk transforms the night into a glowing wonderland.
May 9–19, 10am–5pm, free
Preston Street and Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Under a 20x20 tent, see or buy the work of ArtEast Ottawa artists.
May 9–19, 11am–7pm
$20 per person (children 6 and under are free)
A 45-minute guided walking tour among 300,000 tulips, taking you back to when they bloomed for the first time. Led by a live storyteller.
Tickets and info here.
55 Byward Market Square
May 4, 11am–5pm
Enjoy Mexican culture with its vibrant colours, sights and sounds. Many free activities, including dance workshops, traditional cuisine tasting and carnival games.
Mother’s Day
After you’ve made her breakfast, you might want to take her to a leisurely stroll through markets – before, during, and after Mother’s Day.
Peter A. Herrndorf Place, National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St.
May 4, 11am–4pm
A selection of handmade goods from makers, producers and artists in the community.
Sunday, May 11, 10am - 4pm
Bell Sensplex, 1565 Maple Grove Road, Kanata
Sunday, May 11, starting at 11 am
259 York Street, Byward Market
· More than 40 vendors
May 4, 10 am - 3pm
78 Rue Principale
· More than 30 vendors
Saturday, May 10, 10am – 2:30pm
Saturday, May 24, 10am–2:30pm
Tony Graham Recreation Complex, 100 Charlie Rogers Pl, Kanata
1491 Shea Road, Stittsville
Urban Art Collective Parking Lot, 1088 Somerset St. W.
May 1, 8, 15 and 22, 4–9 pm
…and every Thursday night until September.
Local handmade items and treats. New vendors each week.
Metcalfe Fairgrounds, 2821 8th Line Rd, Metcalfe
Saturdays from 9am–1pm
· More than 45 weekly vendors selling farm fresh produce, baking, furniture, honey, meats, preserves, locally roasted coffee, locally-blended loose leaf tea, wood crafts, clothing, takeaway food, jewelry, artisan work, wines, beers, spirits, home décor and more.
Carp Fairgrounds, 3790 Carp Rd
Opening Day Saturday, May 10
Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1115 Dunning Road, Cumberland
Saturday, May 3
1279 Colonial Road
Saturday, May 25, 9:30–2pm
“All things local, amazing, and Canadian!”
With tulips in bloom, music in the air, and markets full of local talent, we hope you join us in the simple joy of being out in Ottawa – a city and area that knows how to celebrate the beautiful month of May.
Opmerkingen