Six things you should know to celebrate Canada Day in the nation’s capital
1. National Canada Day celebrations
On July 1, enjoy the shows and activities taking place at LeBreton Flats Park in the heart of Ottawa-Gatineau. The Government of Canada has a full list of programing for Canada Day celebrations between 9 am and 10:30 pm at LeBreton Flats Park and activities elsewhere in Ottawa-Gatineau.
Many roads and pathways in the downtown core will be closed to regular traffic, so getting around downtown on Canada Day will be challenging. Plan your route ahead of time and expect delays. Public transit is your best option.
For the most current road conditions, visit the City’s interactive traffic map and select both the ‘Events’ and ‘Incidents’ fields. For more information.
During Canada Day celebrations a major flypast involving a significant number of aircraft is planned and will last for several minutes. The flypast is no cause for concern. For information on these flypasts follow Royal Canadian Air Force’s social channels and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds on Twitter.
2. Free transit service on Canada Day
OC Transpo is the best way to travel to Canada Day events across the city, with free service all day on O-Train Line 1, buses and Para Transpo. OC Transpo will have extra service running throughout the day and into the evening. Para Transpo service will run until 3 am, with last trips booked for 2 am.
With the main event taking place at LeBreton Flats again this year, OC Transpo wants to make sure you know how to get to and from the event site with ease. Use OC Transpo’s Travel Planner or download Transit, the recommended app for OC Transpo customers to plan your trip!
Leave early and arrive on time at LeBreton Flats
July 1 is a busy day with many customers using transit, so plan ahead and leave yourself extra time to get where you want to go. Follow announcements and signage on trains, buses and in stations.
To get to and from Government of Canada's event site at LeBreton Flats, use Lyon Station as it is your most direct route during Canada Day road closures. Take O-Train Line 1 or a bus to Lyon Station and walk to the event site entrance on Wellington Street.
Please note that some detours will be in effect downtown due to road closures. Check octranspo.com for the latest detour information.
Para Transpo customers travelling to LeBreton Flats on Canada Day will be dropped off at the designated Para Transpo drop off/pick up point on Vimy Place across from the War Museum.
After the LeBreton Flats fireworks
After the fireworks, increased service will be available on O-Train Line 1 at Lyon Station for customers travelling east and west. Follow signage to join the lineup in your direction of travel.
Special westbound bus service to Barrhaven and Kanata will operate from Albert Street between Lyon and Kent streets.
Para Transpo customers leaving LeBreton Flats will be picked up where they were dropped off at the designated Para Transpo drop off/pick up point on Vimy Place across from the War Museum.
For more information on access to the Canada Day events site, visit Canada.ca/CanadaDay.
For more information or to plan your trip, visit octranspo.com. You can also connect with OC Transpo through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
3. Canada Day celebrations in your community
Barrhaven
Canada Day Barrhaven will take place starting at 8:30 am and end with fireworks at 10 pm. Strandherd Drive will be closed between Dealership Drive/Kennevale Drive and Borrisokane Road from 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Canada Day Beacon Hill Fireworks
The Beacon Hill Community Association will have a fireworks display at Loyola Park at dusk.
Canada Day Road Races, Kanata
The 36th edition of Otto's Canada Day Road Races takes place on July 1. The Parkway in Kanata will be closed between Reaney Court, Leacock Drive and Teron Road from 7:30 am to 10:00 am
Dunrobin
The Dunrobin Canada Day Celebration will take place at the Dunrobin Community Centre from 4 pm until after the fireworks at sunset.
Greely
The Greely Community Association Canada Day event will take place at the Greely Community Centre from noon to 11 pm with fireworks at dusk,
Kanata
Canada Day in Kanata will take place at Walter Baker Park on June 30 from 6 to 11 pm and on July 1 from 8 am to 11 pm. Charlie Rogers Place will be closed between Ron Maslin Way and the Kanata Recreation Centre on June 30 from 5 to 11 pm and July 1 from 7 am to 11:30 pm.
Orléans
OHHH Canada Kids Festival Jeunesse will take place from 11 am to 5 pm at Millenium Park.
Osgoode
Osgoode’s Canada Day Festival will take place at Osgoode Village Park and the Stuart Holmes Arena from 11:30 am until 11 pm. Osgoode Main Street will be closed between Nixon Drive and 5673 Osgoode Main Street from 1:45 to 3 pm
Riverside South
Riverside South Community Association Canada Day will take place at Claudette Cain Park from 10 am to 2 pm with music starting at 8 pm and fireworks at dusk (approximately 10 pm).
Stittsville
Canada Day in Stittsville will take place at the field of Sacred Heart High School from 6 pm to 11 pm with fireworks at dusk.
4. Fireworks regulations and safety
The City reminds residents about the regulations around Canada Day fireworks – including no discharging on public properties, age requirements and maintaining safe operating distances.
Over the past few years, the City has received public complaints and emergency calls about fireworks, including discharging fireworks in parks and debris left behind, firework-related grass fires and displays posing danger to residents and property.
So, before the fuse is lit, here are some things to know in advance:
Purchasing fireworks
The sale of consumer fireworks is prohibited in Ottawa, except on Canada Day and the seven business days leading up to it.
Firecrackers prohibited in Ontario
Under the provincial law and the City’s fireworks by-law, the sale and use of firecrackers are strictly prohibited.
Location and age requirement for discharging fireworks
Fireworks displays must be directly supervised by an adult, 18 years and older, and must take place on private property – with permission from the property owner. Even on private properties, fireworks cannot be discharged if it poses danger to other individuals and properties. This will include any property nearby other homes, apartments, roadways, sidewalks and public spaces.
No discharging fireworks on City parks and sports fields
Discharging fireworks is not allowed on City property – which includes all parks, sports fields and beaches.
School properties and sports fields are out of bounds too
The four local school boards – Ottawa Catholic School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est and Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario – do not allow discharging fireworks on all school premises, including all track and sports field areas.
Full details on the City of Ottawa’s Fireworks By-law is available on ottawa.ca. Residents can report issues with fireworks online through ServiceOttawa at ottawa.ca.
The Canada Day Fireworks are presented near LeBreton Flats Park beginning at 10 pm. You can see them from many locations in Canada’s Capital Region. For a spectacular view, go to LeBreton Flats Park or head to the surrounding streets, which are closed to car traffic.
5. City by-laws for a safe and respectful Canada Day
The City of Ottawa is ensuring Canada Day remains safe and respectful for all residents and visitors. This will include enforcement of all by-laws regarding noise, litter, fireworks, and on-street parking and stopping.
Ticketing and towing
The City of Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) will have Officers out on the streets ensuring all parking regulations are observed by residents and visitors. Vehicles found in contravention of no-stopping zones will be ticketed and towed. Parking time limits and no parking zones outside the centre core will also be strictly enforced.
Ensuring all other by-laws observed
In addition to parking violations, BLRS Officers will ensure all City of Ottawa by-laws are obeyed by residents and visitors:
No unnecessary motor-vehicle or other noise, including speakers or shouting
No encumbering a sidewalk or roadway by any means, including setting up tents or other illegal structures
No public urination and defecation
No open air fires
No littering
Discharging of fireworks – in contravention of the Fireworks By-law.
6. More Canada Day information
The City’s Canada Day webpage has information on community happenings, pools and splash pads to enjoy, Indigenous events and reflections, fireworks guidelines, changes to City services and how to stay safe as you enjoy your Canada Day activities.
The City has been working closely with Canadian Heritage, the Ottawa Police Service and other area law enforcement agencies, to ensure a fun and safe Canada Day for all.
For information on schedule changes and impacts to City services for the Canada Day holiday visit ottawa.ca.