Events for May 18, 2026
Helen McNicoll: An Impressionist Journey
This exhibition traces Impressionist painter Helen McNicoll's career through more than 80 paintings, sketches and works on paper. It also features work by her close painting companion Dorothea Sharp and […]
270 West Consulting Presents the Tulip Trail
A NEW immersive 40-minute experience tracing 4,000 years of tulip history across 12,000 km. The journey covers: wild tulips in the Central Asian Mountains (2000 BCE) → Silk Road and Ottoman Empire tulip gardens → Dutch Tulipmania financial bubble → Canada's WWII legacy and the Royal Gift of Tulips → a photo op in the […]
Arteast Pavilion – Ottawa Tulip Festival
Local Ottawa art showcase at the festival. A downloadable Activity Calendar PDF with full programming details is available directly from the Arteast Pavilion page. The PDF link on the page is: https://tulipfestival.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Tulip-festival-boutique-and-activity-description-V1-1-1.pdf-1.pdf
Korean Pavilion – Ottawa Tulip Festival
Honours the shared history of Canada and the Netherlands during the Korean War and the lasting friendship forged between the nations. Features a Korean cultural experience zone with interactive activities. No separate page beyond the main festival site.
Dutch Pavilion – Ottawa Tulip Festival
Hosted in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A cultural experience celebrating the historic gift of tulips from the Dutch royal family to Canada following World […]
Tulip Market – Handcrafted Treasures
A curated artisan market featuring local makers who have created tulip-inspired pieces for the festival. Items include home décor, artwork, handmade gifts, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Confirmed 2026 vendors: Arteast, Chayana'k, Doozy Candles, La Vie A I'en Verre, Little Creek, Ricovjewlery, Shiloh, Soldar.
CF Rideau Centre Self-Guided Walking Tour
A free 7-stop self-guided walking tour through Commissioners Park using QR codes at each stop. Highlights include the Queen Juliana Gift Bed, The Man with Two Hats historic statue, and […]
Canadian Tulip Festival
World's largest tulip festival. 300,000+ tulips across 26 gardens. Free admission to grounds. Paid activities include the Tulip Trail ($5) and CIBC Tulip Trek ($5). Dutch Pavilion, Korean Pavilion, Tulip Market, Tulip Taxi cart rides, self-guided legacy tour, blacklight boardwalk after dark, Tulip Town activity area for kids. Flower Fun Run on May 9. Site […]
CIBC Tulip Trek: self-guided scavenger hunt through the gardens
A family scavenger hunt through Commissioners Park. Start at Dow's Lake Pavilion to pick up your first clue and explorer tools. Crack 6 clues hidden throughout the park while learning […]
Polestar Ottawa Tulip Taxi
Hop-on, hop-off golf cart service covering the full 1.2 km length of the festival. Three stops: South End Hub (near Carleton University parking and south Info Centre) → Mid-Festival Stop […]
Neo Financial Play Zone featuring Velocity Games
A drop-in family activity hub. Features oversized yard games, creative building stations, and hands-on activities for all ages. Every weekend the zone transforms into an adventure hub with obstacle courses and Nerf battles — designed by Velocity Games, a youth entrepreneur-founded business. No registration required.
Opening Ceremony – Tulip Festival
Remembrance Ceremony honouring veterans from World War II to today. Includes a Cannon Salute and CF-18 Fly Over. No tickets required.
Tulipfest at Saunders Farm
Brand-new spring festival for Saunders Farm's 50th anniversary. Nearly 500,000 tulips in 100+ varieties set within a 6-acre apple orchard. Features a Dutch windmill, artistic installations, strolling musicians, and interactive […]
Wild Colour
Step into a vibrant, photo-worthy world of science at the Canadian Museum of Nature - Wild Colour is Ottawa's most colourful museum experience of 2026. Created by the Field Museum […]
Barrhaven Ribfest and Poutine
Four-day outdoor food festival featuring top ribbers, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, and a wide range of poutine — classic, gourmet, and extreme. Also on site: Mini Donuts Express, Loaded Funnel Cakes, Deep Fried Cheesecake, Ice Cream, Churros. NEW in 2026: Kid Zone and more live music stages. Free admission — pay for food only. Event […]
Powwow Workout with Amanda Fox
Free weekly drop-in fitness workshop led by Amanda Fox integrating powwow dance traditions into a full-body workout. Held Mondays at the NAC. Open to ages 9+. No registration required. Event […]
Ottawa BlackJacks vs. Niagara River Lions
CEBL professional basketball. Ottawa BlackJacks vs. the back-to-back CEBL champion Niagara River Lions — a marquee Victoria Day matchup. Highlighted in the BlackJacks' schedule announcement as a key home game. The Arena at TD Place, capacity 5,500–8,585. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.