
Live shot of Parliament Hill. Photo
courtesy of the Government of Canada.
Canada Day 2011 in Ottawa - July 1, 2011
The Nation's Capital is the headquarters for Canada's birthday celebration on July 1, 2011. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people visit Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, Jacques-Cartier Park, and other locations in the surrounding areas to celebrate Canada. This year marks Canada's 144th birthday. And this year, the special guests are Prince William and Princess Kate, who will be here as part of the Royal Tour.
Canada Day Event Listings - Choose a link
2011 Official Canada Day activities
- Parliament Hill:
Canada Day Morning Show
The celebrations begin at 9am with a carillon concert, flag raising ceremony, and more. Click here for info...
- Parliament Hill:
Canada Day Noon Show
The noon show begins (surprise) at 12:00pm. Special guests include Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The theme for the Noon Show is “Canada: A Proud Past and a Bright Future", and includes a fly-over by CF-18s. Click here for info...
- Parliament Hill:Canada Day Evening Show
Thousands of Canadians will gather on Parliament Hill to celebrate our nation’s birthday with performers from across the country. This year’s show will be hosted by Rebecca Makonnen (Que.) and Jian Ghomeshi (Ont.). Click here for more info, including a list of performers...
- The Fireworks on Parliament Hill
This year's President’s Choice® Canada Day Fireworks Display fireworks go off as the grand finale of the mainstage
show on Parliament Hill, just after 10:00pm. The fireworks are set off
from the Astrolabe, just behind the National Gallery. You can watch
them from Parliament Hill, but the best views include Jacques Cartier Park and the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa, Victoria Island, and the banks of the Ottawa River.
- Major’s Hill Park
Activities scheduled from 10:00am-10:30pm.
Major's Hill Park will host an exciting all day line-up of shows, workshops, and participatory activities celebrating Canadian diversity and self-expression. More info about Major's Hill Park activities...
- Jacques Cartier Park
Activities scheduled from 10:00am-10:30pm. The young and young at heart can enjoy enriching experiences and fun through the theme of creativity and curiosity while exploring sounds, shapes and colors. More info about Jacques Cartier Park activities...
- NCC's
official Canada Day web site
Covering official events downtown on Parliament Hill, Major's Hill
Park, Jacques-Cartier Park, and other official sites.
More Canada Day Events in our community
Open & closed
- Many malls and stores are closed, but there are many exceptions.
- Shops in the Byward Market are open and the Rideau Centre is open from 10am-6pm.
- I also noticed a few stores in my neighbourhood (Stittsville) are opening on July 1 - like the M&M and IDA on Main Street - chances are a few stores are open in your neighbourhood too.
- Beer stores and liquor stores are closed, and expect long line-ups on June 30.
- Many restaurants downtown are open for Canada Day, but call first.
- Most federal, provincial and municipal government services are shut down for the day. (Here's a list of the City of Ottawa's schedule changes.)
- Libraries are closed, but many pools, arenas and fitness centres will be open.
- Garbage and recycling for Friday will be postponted to Saturday.
Transportation
Misc links
Related Guides
