Canada Day 2012 in Ottawa - July 1, 2012

The Nation's Capital is the headquarters for Canada's birthday celebration on July 1, 2012. 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 145th birthday.

Featured Listings

Ottawa Hotels Guide
Make your reservation at one of dozens of hotels in the Ottawa area. Hotels in Downtown, Gatineau, Kanata and the surrounding area.
Make your business stand out from the rest.
Click here to add your Featured Listing...

Canada Day Event Listings

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.
Transportation, buses, what's open & closed
Some additional links to help you navigate in Canada's Capital on July 1.

More Canada Day Events in our community

ADD YOUR EVENT: Visit our Community News page.
Escapade Music Festival Announces Single Day Tickets for the Biggest Canada Day Party in the Country June 30 - July 1, 2012
More events coming soon, including the Canada Day Festival at Andrew Hayden Park, and community events in Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans and more.!
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 (2011)

Many malls and stores are closed, but there are many exceptions.
Shops in the Byward Market are open and the Rideau Centre is open from 10am-6pm.
I also noticed a few stores in my neighbourhood (Stittsville) are opening on July 1 - like the M&M and IDA on Main Street - chances are a few stores are open in your neighbourhood too.
Beer stores and liquor stores are closed, and expect long line-ups on June 30.
Many restaurants downtown are open for Canada Day, but call first.
Most federal, provincial and municipal government services are shut down for the day. (Here's a list of the City of Ottawa's schedule changes.)
Libraries are closed, but many pools, arenas and fitness centres will be open.
Garbage and recycling for Friday will be postponted to Saturday.

Transportation (2011)

The best way to get downtown is by bus.
Bus service is free after 10:00pm on Canada Day on OC Transpo and STO buses.
OC Transpo is running on a Sunday schedule on July 1, with additional service during the day. More info...
Most of the streets around Parliament Hill, Jacques Cartier Park, and Major's Hill Park are closed on Canada Day. Click here for a full list of street closures...