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Live shot of Parliament Hill. Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada.

Canada Day 2012 in Ottawa - July 1, 2013

This page has info about the big events downtown, plus celebrations all around Ottawa in Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, etc. The Nation's Capital is the headquarters for Canada's birthday celebration on July 1, 2013. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people visit Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, Jacques-Cartier Park, and other locations in the surrounding areas to celebrate Canada. This year is Canada's 146th birthday.

Canada Day Events

• Canada Day - Official Events Downtown
  An outline of the events on Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park and Jacques Cartier Park.
• Canada Day Fireworks
  The big fireworks show starts at 10:00pm. Check out our suggestions for the best viewing spots downtown. (And also a list of more July 1 fireworks shows in the area.)
• Canada Day events - community listings
  Includes information about dozens of Canada Day events in neighbourhoods, including Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, Andrew Hayden Park ...and many, many more. (coming soon)
• Transportation, buses, what's open & closed
  Some additional links to help you navigate in Canada's Capital on July 1.

Official Canada Day Events Downtown

• Parliament Hill: On July 1, Parliament Hill will be the setting for Canada Day celebrations. Thousands of Canadians will converge on the Hill to mark their country’s birthday. In the morning, they will be able to attend the Peace Tower carillon concert at 9:00 a.m., the traditional flag-raising ceremony at 9:30 a.m., and the Changing of the Guard at 10:00 a.m. More info & programming...
  
• Parliament Hill Noon Show: From noon to 1:30pm there's the Canada Day Noon Show, featuring performances from Metric, Carly Rae Jepsen, astronaut Chris Hadfield, Marie-Mai, Terri Clark, Karim Ouellet, Measha Brueggergosman, Mo Kenney, Amylie, Kytami. More info & programming...
  
• Parliament Hill Evening Show: Begins at 7:30pm with performances from Metric, Carly Rae Jepsen, astronaut Chris Hadfield, Sylvain Cossette, Lucie Idlout, DJ Abeille, Mo Kenney, Kytami, Nomadic Massive, Cellos on Fire, Trent Severn, DJ Desunos, Washboard Hank. More info & programming...
  
• Major's Hill Park: 10:00am-10:45pm. Major’s Hill Park will host an exciting all day line-up of shows, workshops, and participatory activities celebrating Canadian diversity and self-expression. This year’s theme highlights exploration and the spirit of discovery. More info & programming...
  
• Jacques Cartier Park: 10:00am-10:45pm. At Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, the young and young at heart can enjoy enriching experiences and fun through games and activities for the whole family, including a spectacular parachute demonstration by the SkyHawks at 11:30 am.  More info & programming...
  
• Other official sites: Plaza Bridge, Confederation Park, Marion Dewar Plaza, Gatineau Park, Vincent Massey Park and more. Details here...
• THE FIREWORKS: Canada Day Fireworks at 10:00pm...
  
  

More Canada Day Events in our community
(we'll update more for 2013 soon!)

• Come celebrate Canada Day at the Museum of Civilization
• Canada Day schedule changes
• Canada Day 2013: Plaza Bridge, Confederation Park, Gatineau Park and more
• Stittsville's Canada Day 2013
• Escapade Festival - June 29, June 30, July 1, 2013
• Canada Day in Kanata 2013 - featuring Trooper
• Ottawa International Jazz Festival - All shows on Canada Day are FREE
• Mattamy Homes Canada Day in Barrhaven - July 1, 2013
• CELEBRATE CANADA DAY AT THE NAC!
• Canada Day breakfast will not be held this year
• June 30, 2013- Add Community Cup to your Canada Day weekend
• Free admission and special events at many of the Capital Region’s parks, museums and attractions on Canada Day 2013
• ADD YOUR EVENT: Visit our Community News page.
• Museums: Most local museums are open on Canada Day, with special programming. (Most are offering free admission, too!) For a listing of local museums, visit our Ottawa Museums Guide...
• You can find more local event listings year-round on our Ottawa Events Guide...
• ADD YOUR EVENT: Send us your event info via our Community News service

Open & closed

• July is the official stat holiday, so most (but not all) retail outlets are open on July 1, but closed on July 2.

Transportation

• The best way to get downtown is by bus.
• Bus service is free all day on Canada Day on OC Transpo buses. OC Transpo is running on a special holiday schedule on July 1, with additional service during the day.
• Bus service is free after 10:00pm on Canada Day on STO buses (Gatineau).
• A FREE Canada Day Shuttle Bus between Jacques-Cartier Park (Gatineau) and Major’s Hill Park (Ottawa) will be offered from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on July 1.
• If you're riding your bike downtown, the NCC will be providing free supervised bike stations at each official Canada Day site.
  
  
• Most of the streets around Parliament Hill, Jacques Cartier Park, and Major's Hill Park are closed on Canada Day. Don't bring your car downtown!

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