Free
Events for May 9, 2026
Free Fishing Weekend (Ontario)
Ontario Free Fishing Weekend runs May 9-10, 2026. Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without a licence province-wide. Open to all — great for families, beginners, or anyone introducing a friend to fishing. Check local Ottawa-area waterbodies and provincial parks for access points. Introduce a friend to fishing, go out on your own or join […]
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. […]
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 […]
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.
Ottawa – Mothers in Bloom Holistic Healing Fair™
Wellness and holistic fair celebrating nurturing energy and self-care. Features readers, makers, healers, crystals, natural products, and heart-centered small businesses. First 30 attendees receive swag bags. Free face painting for […]
Next Door Market – Vintage Pop up Spring
Multi-day artisan and vendor market running Saturday–Sunday, May 9–10. Local makers, crafts, small businesses. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.
Ontario Guild of Town Criers Competition
15 Town Criers and Consorts from across Ontario compete at the festival. Presented in partnership with the Ontario Guild of Town Criers and Capital Heritage Connexion. Cries begin at noon; the final cry finishes at 5 PM. Open to all spectators — no tickets needed.