Canada Day - July 1, 2009

Live shot of Parliament Hill. Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada.

The Nation's Capital is the headquarters for Canada's birthday celebration. 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 142nd birthday. Most of the information on this page is taken from the National Capital Commission's Canada Day web site.
See also: Ottawa Events, Ottawa Maps, Ottawa Tourism , Ottawa Hotels

The Fireworks

This year's fireworks go off as the grand finale of the mainstage show on Parliament Hill, just after 10:05pm. The fireworks are set off from the Astrolabe, just behind the National Gallery. You can watch them from Parliament Hill, but the best views are from Major's Hill Park, Jacques-Cartier Park, and anywhere along the Ottawa River.

Related: Firework safety tips

Canada Day Events in 2009

Press Release: Canadians Invited to Celebrate Canada Day: Activities and Celebrations Feature Special Tribute to our Winter Athletes
NCC's official Canada Day web site
Covering official events downtown on Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, Jacques-Cartier Park, and Confederation Park
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 Museums Guide...
Canada Day in Barrhaven
Canada Day in Dunrobin
Canada Day in Kanata
Canada Day at Petrie Island (Orleans / East End)
Canada Day in Riverside South
Canada Day Festival (Andrew Hayden Park and Dow's Lake)
Canada Day Events (via Ottawa.ca)
Search "Official" Canada Day events (via NCC)
List of Canada Day Events from Ottawa Kiosk
Canada Day Run-Down from Apartment613

Transportation

The best way to get downtown is by bus. OC Transpo is operating on a Sunday schedule, with extra buses galore to get you to and from Parliament Hill in the evening. Click here for schedules and routes. (Bus service is free after 10:00pm on Canada Day.)
Most of the streets around Parliament Hill, Jacques Cartier Park, and Major's Hill Park are closed on Canada Day. Click here for information about downtown Canada Day road closures...

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