Festivals
Events for May 16, 2026
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 War II. No separate page beyond the main festival site.
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 Heritage Canada's Dutch-Canadian War Brides Display. Requires a QR code reader on your phone. You can start the tour directly at: https://tulipfestival.ca/walking-tour-stop-1/
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 […]
Latin American Film Festival Ottawa 2026 (Final screening)
29th edition of the LAFF presented by GRULA (Group of Embassies of Latin American Countries) in collaboration with Saint Paul University. Films from 14 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa […]
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 […]