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.

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Canada Day Event Listings - Choose a link

The Royal Tour - William & Kate visit Ottawa
Includes a full itinerary of public events and the best spots to catch a glimpse of the Royal Couple.
Canada Day events - downtown
Includes event information for Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, and Jacques Cartier Park.
Canada Day Fireworks
The big fireworks show starts at 10:00pm. Check out our suggestions for the best viewing spots downtown. (And also a list of more July 1 fireworks shows in the area.)
Canada Day events - community listings
Includes information about dozens of Canada Day events in neighbourhoods, including Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, Andrew Hayden Park ...and many, many more.
Transportation, buses, what's open & closed
Some additional links to help you navigate in Canada's Capital on July 1.

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 experiencesÂ 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

Mattamy Homes Canada Day in Barrhaven
Greater Orleans Canada Day Celebration at Petrie Island
Canada Day Festival Weekend at Andrew Hayden Park - July 1-3, 2011
Canada Day in Kanata at Walter Baker Park featuring SLOAN
Celebrate Canada Day at the National Arts Centre!
Canada Day Concert with Hollorado
8th Annual Dovercourt Open Skateboarding Event - July 1 & 2, 2011
July 1: Ottawa Senators Development Camp - Open Practice
July 1: Ottawa Fat Cats vs. Barrie at 3:05pm
25th Annual Canada Day Road Races
Ottawa International Jazz Fest: Canada Day 2011
Canada Day in Oxford Mills
Canada Day 2011 in Carleton Place at Riverside Park
Canada Day 2011 in Osgoode Village
Canada Day 2011 in Corkery
Canada Day 2011 in Fitzroy Harbour
Canada Day 2011 in the Gower
Canada Day 2011 in Vars
Canada Day 2011 in Vernon
Constance Bay Canada Day 2011
Canada Day 2011 in Kemptville
Canada Day in Mississippi Mills / Pakenham (July 1, 2011)
Canada Day Eve in Mississippi Mills / Pakenham (June 30, 2011)
Canada Day in Greely
Stittsville Village Association - Canada Day 2011
CANADA DAY EVENT AT CECIL MORRISON PARK
Brant Pethick performing live at Petrie Island Canada Day 2011
Canada Day Celebration in North Gower
Canada Day in Dunrobin
Canada Day 2011 in Munster at Saunders Farm
Canada Day at the Canada Agriculture Museum July 1 to 3
Canada Day 2011 at The Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Escape the crowds on Canada Day at Pinhey's Point! Fete du Canada au Lieu historique de Piney's Point
Founding Father-style Fun on Canada Day! Fete du Canada au Lieu historique national du domaine Billings
Canada Day Garden Party at the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada!
ZAPHODS ANNUAL CANADA DAY PARTY!
Celebrate Canada Day at the Library (June 30, 2011)
The Mayor's Annual Canada Day Celebration for Seniors
July 1-3, 2011: Wonders of Sand / Merveilles de sable de Gatineau
Museums: Most local museums are open on Canada Day, with special programming. (Most are offering free admission, too!) For a listing of local museums, visit our Ottawa Museums Guide...
You can find more local event listings on our Ottawa Events Guide...
Also recommended: Frugal Fun Ottawa's event round-up
ADD YOUR EVENT: Send us your event info via our Community News service

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

The best way to get downtown is by bus.
Bus service is free after 10:00pm on Canada Day on OC Transpo and STO buses.
OC Transpo is running on a Sunday schedule on July 1, with additional service during the day. More info...
Most of the streets around Parliament Hill, Jacques Cartier Park, and Major's Hill Park are closed on Canada Day. Click here for a full list of street closures...
There are additional road closures this weekend due to the Royal Visit...