/ #Canada Day 

The ultimate guide to Canada Day 2022 in Ottawa

Canada day festivities will not take place on Parliament Hill this year due to the renovations taking place there.

On July 1, celebrate Canada’s birthday in person for the first time in two years. Celebrations will primarily take place at LeBreton Flats and Place des Festivals Zibi in Gatineau, due to renovations on Parliament Hill.

Open and closed

Most businesses and offices are closed on Canada Day, and just about all government services are shut down. We have published a list of what’s open and closed here.

When and where?

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., check out performances and activities on offer at LeBreton Flats and Places des Festivals Zibi. (Here’s a map.)

The main entrances for the sites are:

  • LeBreton Flats Park — near the intersection of Wellington and Booth Streets
  • Place des Festivals Zibi — near the intersection of Laurier and Jos-Montferrand Streets

In addition to the two primary sites, you can enjoy free concerts at the NAC, check out TD Ottawa Jazz Festival (including free shows in front of City Hall) or see the famous RCMP Musical Ride.

There is a calendar of scheduled events at canada.ca…

Fireworks

The Tim Hortons Canada Day Fireworks will light up the night sky at 10 p.m.

The best places to watch the pyrotechnics show will be LeBreton Flats (where they will be launched), Place des Festivals Zibi, or on the surrounding streets, which will be closed to traffic.

Many community Canada Day celebrations around Ottawa will also include fireworks, including Stittsville, Kanata, Barrhaven, and Petrie Island.

Snowbirds flyover

The Snowbirds flyover planned for Friday afternoon has been canceled, the RCAF announced.

Interestingly, there is another flyover planned for a different reason: “A CF-18 Demonstration Jet will conduct a flypast over the National War Memorial at approximately 8:10 a.m. on July 1 as part of a ceremony to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel during the First World War.”

Road closures

Roads in the downtown core will be closed, most from 6 a.m. July 1 to 2 a.m. on July 2. At all times, the following streets will be closed:

  • Wellington Street between Bank and Elgin Streets
  • Metcalfe Street between Wellington and Queen Streets
  • O’Connor Street between Wellington and Queen Streets

For a complete list of the closures, including those for multi-use pathways, check out canada.ca… (click the tab “street closures”). Or, see the map.

Some extra notes

  • Expect to undergo a security screening at the main sites. Officials say this will go faster for those without a bag.
  • Dogs or other pets are not allowed at the celebration sites (except of course service dogs).
  • It’s a good idea to bring sunscreen, a hat and a reusable water bottle. You’ll be able to refill at free water stations on-site.
  • Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before leaving home.
  • A large swath of downtown streets near Parliament Hill will be closed and officials advise against driving.
  • If you’re walking or cycling, remember the MUP closures listed on Canada.ca, and the Chaudière Crossing closure to both traffic and pedestrians from 6 a.m. July 1 to 2 a.m. the next day. Bike parking will be available nearby the celebration sites.
  • OC Transpo operates on a Sunday schedule on July 1, with free service all day. There will be extra buses on busy routes, with later evening service on many. O-Train Line 1 will run a special Canada Day schedule with extended service to 1 a.m. (OC Transpo had previously said they plan to run 15 trains, so cross your fingers.) STO is also running free service with a Sunday schedule.
  • Some important changes OC Transpo is making for Canada Day: Route 85 will terminate at Pimisi, so the only way to get to Gatineau via transit is with STO. Also, the westbound O-Train will not stop at Pimisi station after the fireworks to avoid crowding. Instead, riders heading west will be able to go directly to their bus at Albert and Booth.
  • For more transit info, OC Transpo has a special webpage.
  • LeBreton Flats and Places des Festivals Zibi are universally accessible. More info on this is available at Canadian Heritage