New Year's Eve Fireworks 2011

Les grands feux. Fireworks by the USA team at the 2010 event. Photo by Steve Boyton.

FEBRUARY 3, 2012 (tbd)

American Express® Winterlude Opening
Winterlude opens with a big fireworks display (among other things) at the Museum of Civilization Friday, Feb 3.

More info...

MAY 2012 - Victoria Day Fireworks (info from 2011)

This year's fireworks will start at 10:15pm on Monday.
They're launched from Queen Juliana Park, near Dow's Lake.
They're part of the Victoria Day Festival, taking place over the long weekend. More info..
Accessible via The O-Train, also routes 85 & 4.
Free 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.
This year's show is produced by Royal Pyrotechnie.

JULY 1, 2012: Canada Day Fireworks (info from 2011)

Fireworks go off as part the grand finale of the mainstage show on Parliament Hill, just after 10:00pm.
The fireworks are set off from Nepean Point, just behind the National Gallery.
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.
What to wear: Based on tonight's forecast, it'll be in the low-to-mid 20's by the time the fireworks start. So maybe a pair of jeans and a sweater? And don't forget the bug spray, eh?
Additional fireworks displays take place in Andrew Hayden Park, Barrhaven, Carleton Place, Dunrobin, Kanata, Orleans, Stittsville, Carleton Place, Kemptville, Pakenham, and several other communities and towns in our area. For more info about these smaller community events, visit our Canada Day Community Listings.
And for more (much more) about Canada Day activities in Ottawa & the surrounding area, please visit our Canada Day Guide...

JULY 31, 2011: Rideau Canal Festival Fireworks at Dow's Lake

The fireworks start on Sunday night at 10:00pm at Dow's Lake. Organizers tell us that the fireworks are being launched from the lake, and will be seen from all around Dow' Lake Pavilion. The show will last about 10 minutes and is being put on by GFA Pyro. "The Rideau Canal Festival is lighting up the sky with a spectacular Fireworks Show.
The best seats are at Dows Lake Pavilion with the beautiful Rideau Canal as a backdrop!
Show starts at 10pm at Dows Lake Pavilion. Bring a blanket or small chair and make sure to grab your spot early for this Fireworks extravaganza." More info...

AUGUST 2011: 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. This year's performances include:

Hunan Jing Tai Fireworks Co. from CHINA – Saturday August 6th, 2011
Opening the event this year, the winners of the 1st People’s Choice Award (2010)
Presented in collaboration with the Quebec Ministry of Tourism
Parente Fireworks from ITALY – Wednesday August 10th, 2011
The return of one of the most decorated and prestigious team of the competition
Presented in collaboration with LeDroit.
Feux d’artifice APOGÉE Fireworks from CANADA – Saturday August 13th, 2011
With an original show and exclusive concept to the competition
Presented in collaboration with the CBC as part of their 75th anniversary !
Steffes-Ollig from GERMANY – Wednesday August 17th, 2011
The event’s defending champions are back with a new show worthy of its reputation
Presented in collaboration with Sun Media.
The CASINO du LAC-LEAMY’s GRANDE FINALE - Saturday August 20th, 2011
One last great evening and our team’s last chance to win some precious points for the final score and final standing. Don’t miss it!

The Leamy Lake Park grounds open at 6:00pm on each event day, with food and drink stands and activities for kids, plus a stage with family entertainment. The fireworks themselves start at 9:30pm, followed by local bands on the Tim Hortons Stage until 11:00pm.

The first edition of the event was held in 1996, and since then it has been named one of the top 100 events in North America.

For more info & tickets click here...

Transportation info

By car:
Click here for directions and parking info...

By bike:
Two bike parking areas are available on both sides of the Sound of Light site (beach side, Casino side). Cost is $1 per bike.
For help planning your bike route, visit our Ottawa Bike Guide...

By shuttle bus:
STO will provide shuttle bus service to the park. Click here for info...

August Long Weekend (tbd) - Rideau Canal Festival Fireworks

On the long weekend, there are fireworks on Saturday night at 9:00pm following the Dows Lake Parade of Lights flotilla. More info...

DECEMBER 31, 2011 - New Year's Eve

Ottawa doesn't have a big annual public fireworks show downtown on New Year's Eve.

There is nothing planned for Parliament Hill 2011, although if you're in Nepean there is a small fireworks display planned shortly after 10:00pm, as part of Rick Chiarelli's New Year's Eve Party.