City: Ottawa
Top Things to do in Ottawa
Top Restaurants in Ottawa
Countries
What to do and see in Ottawa, Canada: The Best Cultural Events
Canada's capital is a compact, clean, cleverly planned center of culture and politics and a destination for every season. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and turns into the world’s largest skating rink when frozen in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.
Restaurants in Ottawa
1. Magic of Lights
2. Winterlude Ottawa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Winterlude is one of the most popular winter events in Canada and takes place in Ottawa, the country's capital. Since 1979, thousands of visitors from Canada and the U.S. have come to enjoy a variety of winter activities over a few weeks. Visitors can try the world's largest skate rink on the Rideau Canal, which extends 7.8 kilometres and runs through Ottawa's downtown area. Other popular event features include stunning ice sculptures, made by carvers from around the world, and the world's largest snow playground. Plus, if people want to try a truly Canadian snack, they can grab a Beaver Tail pastry from the ice.
Reviewed By pjwcanada - Pickering, Canada
For the last couple of years, my husband and I have made the four hour drive from Toronto to Ottawa to enjoy the Winterlude festivities! We usually stay downtown at the Marriott Residence Inn on Laurier, as it's a short, two minute walk to Confederation Park where the ice sculptures are on display (and a very short walk to the Byward Market and City Hall). The ice sculptures on display at Confederation Park are incredible - the world's best ice sculptors have their creations exhibited, and if you see them at night, they're magical with the lights behind them. We were fortunate this year to also see the evening's entertainment in the park - The Boogie Woogie Band. They were a high-energy band of funksters who performed all the old 70s disco hits (KC & the Sunshine Band, Donna Summer, the list is endless). Thoroughly enjoyed that! The volunteers at Conderation Park during Winterllude are great, and they hand out lighted tubes to kids (and adults alike) that light up and flash white and red. My husband enjoys lengthy skates on the canal, and we also love finding new restaurants in town to try during our annual visits. Looking forward to Winterlude again next year!
3. Canada Day
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
Millions of Canadians throughout the world fly their national flag with the iconic red maple leaf to celebrate Canada Day on July 1 each year; marking the momentous day that the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were joined as one in 1867. It’s a day to be patriotic with loud and proud parades being held in most cities and towns as well as music, picnics, and magnificent firework shows. Canada Day is an incredible display of solidarity when the nation’s many cultures join together to celebrate what makes their country so special, and is a time to feel proud of Canada’s many achievements in the world of arts, literature, science, and sports.
Reviewed By Liz_Brom_Holiday - Kitchener, Canada
We celebrated Canada Day's 150 Year weekend in Wakefield, Hull and Ottawa on our siblings family holiday. What an amazing experience for everyone who attended the celebration.
4. Canadian Tulip Festival
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By ThomasTCat
When we arrived in Ottawa, we were worried that the 30 to 50 degree unseasonable temperatures would prevent the tulips from blooming, and the main reason for our trip was to go to the tulip festival. At first when we were walking around the streets, we noticed that the tulips planted in the flower boxes were up but not yet blooming. Next we went to Majors Hill Park that overlooks the Parliament Building and the tulips there were in full bloom, but there weren't as many as I thought there would be. There were some planted in front of the Parliament Building as well, but again, not that many. We went to the visitors center, and they suggested we go to the main site of the Tulip Festival in Commissioners Park. The next day, as we were getting ready to leave town, we headed over to Commissioners Park, and there were all the tulips you could ever hope to see in one location, and they were in full bloom! Every color imaginable, and they were absolutely beautiful. Across the road on the bike path was a children's area set up and vendors, as well. We bought a Beaver Tail, one of Canada's trademark desserts, and it was delicious. The fried dough was thin and crispy and we bought one that was topped with Nutella and Chocolate and it was absolutely perfect. It was much better that the one we previously had while in Niagara Falls a few years ago because theirs had a much thicker crust. Commissioners Park Tulip Festival was the perfect ending to our trip to Ottawa!!!!
5. Christmas Glow
Overall Ratings
2.0 based on 6 reviews
Glow is the largest indoor Christmas festival in Ottawa. Bring together the people you love to stroll, laugh and play under the twinkle of half a million lights. Explore interactive light sculptures, Stroll under 50,000 lights, Shop for unique gifts from 20+ local vendors, Enjoy delicious treats from local food trucks and breweries.
