Fireworks in Ottawa - Victoria Day Weekend, New Year's Eve, Canada Day, Les Grand Feux to Casino, more...

May - Victoria Day / Tulip Festival Fireworks on May 19, 2013

On Sunday, May 19, the Tulip Festival is launching fireworks over Dow's Lake at 9:00pm.
Dow's Lake is accessible via OC Transpo bus routes 85 & 4.
Paid parking at the Sir John Carling building (access from Prince of Wales Dr), the NCC parking lot across from the Dow's Lake Pavilion, and in the Dow's Lake Court parking lot at Champagne and Carling.
More info from the Tulip Festival web site...
See also: What's open and closed for Victoria Day
See also: Fireworks By-law will be enforced Victoria Day weekend

JULY 1, 2013: Canada Day Fireworks on Parliament Hill (info from 2012)

Fireworks go off as part the grand finale of the mainstage show on Parliament Hill, just after 10:00pm, weather permitting.
The fireworks are set off from Nepean Point, just behind the National Gallery.
This year's show includes 1,026 fireworks items, 982 aerial shells, 58 of the largest shells allowed in Canada and 2,257 projectiles/effects.

You can watch them from Parliament Hill, but for better view, head to Jacques Cartier Park and the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa, Victoria Island, and along the banks of the Ottawa River downtown.
One of our favourite viewing spots is along the river, just east of Lebreton Flats behind the National Archives and Supreme Court. You can access it via the bike paths where Wellington meets the Portage Bridge.
Alexandra Bridge is closed to traffic throughout the day, and to pedestrians after 6pm.
What to wear: Even though it's July, it can get cool by the time the fireworks start. So maybe a pair of jeans and a red sweater? And don't forget the bug spray, eh?
And for more (much more) about Canada Day activities in Ottawa & the surrounding area, please visit our Canada Day Guide...

JULY 1, 2013: More Canada Day Fireworks around our region.

Additional fireworks displays take place at Queen Juliana Park, Barrhaven, Kanata, Orleans, Osgoode Village, Greely, Dunrobin, Carleton Place, Kemptville, Pakenham (June 30 and July 1), and several other communities and towns in our area. For more info about these smaller community events, visit our Canada Day Community Listings.

Fireworks By-law will be enforced Canada Day weekend

The City of Ottawa wants to remind residents that anyone partaking in fireworks displays over the Canada Day weekend should do so in a safe and courteous manner. Read more...

Les grands feux. Fireworks by the USA team at the 2010 event. Photo by Steve Boyton.
Les grands feux au Lac Leamy. Fireworks by the USA team at the August 2010 event. Photo by Steve Boyton.

AUGUST 2013: Fireworks at Casino du Lac Leamy

Officially known as Les grands feux du Casino du Lac-Leamy, or the Casino du Lac Leamy Sound of Light. It's an annual fireworks competition at Lac Leamy in Gatineau, featuring displays from four different countries. The fireworks are synchronized to a music soundtrack as well.

Last year's competitors (2012) included:

Saturday, August 4 - Pyragic from France
Wanting to share memories from the disco years of their youth, Pyragric is kicking things off to the sound of some incredible beats! Founded in the 18th century, this firm thrives on the creativity and the passion of its people, who have every intention of blowing you away with their imagination.
Wednesday, August 8 - Zaragozana from Spain
Recognized as one of the top fireworks firms in Spain, Zaragozana promises to use all of its artillery and all of the colors it is known to produce to make their Sound of Light spectators truly feel like they are taking off on this wonderful naval journey.
Saturday, August 11 - Pyro Spectaculars from the United States
Nostalgic at times, the team from Pyro Spectaculars brings us back into time by making us relive some the greatest hits from a very popular band… ‘cuz after all, "Love is All You Need"!
Wednesday, August 15 - Dancing Fireworks from China
Born from the experience of the oldest Chinese traditions, Dancing Fireworks is ready to present a show full of magic, described as “Romeo and Juliet meet the East”, a show that is both passionate and romantic.
Saturday, August 18 - Casino Lac-Leamy's Grand Finale, created by Royal Pyrotechnie.
Intense and lively music, tender melody, an hymn to the art: This is what you will hear! Flamboyant colors, unusual effects and perfect synchronization: This is what you will see! Wonder, power, fun, passion and sweetness: This is what you will feel!
More info about the performers.

DECEMBER 31, 2012: Are there fireworks on New Year's Eve?

For the first time this year, there is a fireworks show planned for downtown Ottawa. It's part of the TD Hogmanay Scottish New Year's Party at Ottawa City Hall. This is the inaugural year for the event. It's free, and includes skating on the Rink of Dreams, Celtic bands, ice sculpting, Highland dancing, scotch tasting, bagpipes and more. At midnight, as headliners The Barra MacNeils finish their set, they'll play Auld Lang Syne and launch some fireworks from the roof of City Hall. It's a six minute show produced by Apogee Fireworks out of Montreal.
There's also a family event at Ben Franklin Place (the old Nepean City Hall) in Centrepointe. Rick Chiarelli's Rockin' New Year's Eve is an alcohol-free event including magicians, games, dancers, face painting, skating, sleigh rides and yes, fireworks. At midnight, as headliners. The fireworks start at 10:00pm so you can get your kids home early for bed.
There are no fireworks planned for Parliament Hill.
For information about other events happening on December 31, please visit our New Year's Eve Guide.