/ #Canada Day 2017 #ottawa 

The ultimate guide to Canada Day 2017 in Ottawa

[caption id=“attachment_49975” align=“aligncenter” width=“720”]

Canada day festivities will take place on Parliament Hill, in Major’s Hill Park and at the Canadian Museum of History. (David Johnston/Flickr)[/caption]

From June 30 to July 2, this weekend will hold the largest Canada Day celebration in Ottawa’s history. Here’s what you need to know before heading out. ** Some notes **

 * 
Officials recommend leaving two to three hours before the event you want to attend to get through security.
[
 More info on security here...
](http://ottawastart.com/new-security-measures-for-canada-day-2017-mayor-urges-viligance/)

 * 
There are some things you aren't allowed to bring, such as aerosols or alcohol. Folding chairs are OK.

 * 
Big name performances in the Hill during the noon show include Gordon Lightfoot, Serena Ryder and Alessia Cara -- but there will also be some 14 hours' worth of performances in Major's Hill Park, too.

 * 
Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla stop by the Hill around noon!

 * 
A large swath of downtown streets near Parliament will be closed and officials advise against driving.

 * 
Fireworks at 11 p.m. Keep reading for details...

 * 
If you don't wanna go downtown, here's some
[
 ideas for other celebrations to attend...
](http://ottawastart.com/events/categories/canada-day/)

** Where and when? ** Events will unfold in three locations:

 * 
Parliament Hill (Saturday and Sunday only)

 * 
Major's Hill Park

 * 
The Canadian Museum of History

The full schedule for all the locations is available on our event listing , but here’s the schedule for the Hill: ** Saturday **

09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    [
     Welcome (Culture and Diversity)
    ](https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/events/calendar/event-details.html?id=168671)
09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    [
     Carillon Concert
    ](https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/events/calendar/event-details.html?id=168611)
11:40 AM - 01:15 PM
    [
     Opening Celebration
    ](https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/events/calendar/event-details.html?id=168674)
01:30 PM - 05:00 PM
    [
     EMBRACING Canada
    ](https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/events/calendar/event-details.html?id=168675)
05:00 PM - 08:30 PM
    [
     ANTICIPATING and INSPIRING Canada
    ](https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/events/calendar/event-details.html?id=168676)
08:30 PM - 11:30 PM
    [
     It’s time for Canada! – Canada Day Evening show
    ](https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/events/calendar/event-details.html?id=167285)
** Sunday **
04:00 PM - 09:00 PM
    [
     WE Day Canada
    ](https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/events/calendar/event-details.html?id=168610)
** Fireworks ** The show starts around 11 p.m. and will last 20 minutes and 17 seconds. Thousands of fireworks will be launched from multiple locations.

Canadian Heritage says the best place to watch the show will be the history museum and Major’s Hill Park. We have a list of other fireworks shows at community events across Ottawa. ** Travel and security info ** Good luck driving, with most downtown streets closed for three days.

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Government of Canada[/caption]

The city recommends taking transit to get downtown, which will be free all day on Saturday.

Security will be tight and you’ll have to go through one of two screening tents – one is on Wellington Street near the Sir John A. MacDonald Building and the other on Elgin street near Wellington Street.

There are signs posted in the area about what is not allowed, including common items like aerosols, tripods and hard coolers. If you bring a banned item, it will be confiscated.

https://twitter.com/ottawastart/status/877997342250618880 ** The royal visit ** The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will be on the Hill around noon, where Charles will make a speech. Here’s the full royal itinerary… ** Open and closed ** Most non-retail businesses and offices are closed, and just about all government services are shut down. Check out our open and closed list for more info. _ ** If you liked this post consider subscribing to our free Etcetera newsletter – every Thursday we send a special edition with info on events around the city! ** _