Since 1953, Ottawa has hosted the world-famous Canadian Tulip Festival. Hundreds of thousands of visitors gather in Canada’s capital to admire more than a million tulips in full bloom. Here's what to know about this historic springtime festival — and how to make the most of it.
A deep-rooted history
In Ottawa, the tulip isn’t just a pretty flower. It’s a symbol of international friendship and peace. The Tulip Festival began as a tribute to Canada’s role in liberating the Netherlands during World War II, and for sheltering Princess Julia. As a gesture of gratitude, the Netherlands gifted Canada 100,000 tulip bulbs, a tradition that continues today.
Where to see the tulips
The Canadian Tulip Festival is happening from May 9 to 19 at Commissioners Park besides Dow’s Lake in Little Italy. This is where you’ll find the most tulips in one place. It’s the largest tulip display in the world.
Beyond Commissioners Park, there are tulips blooming throughout the city. Check out this Tulip Trail Map and Blooming Meter to find more tulip gardens in the region. Key sites include the National War Memorial and Major’s Hill Park, which has great views of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River.
How to see the tulips
There are many ways to take in the tulips. To start, you can explore the various sites by foot. At Commissioners Park, you can see more than 300,000 tulips in a single kilometre. Guided and self-guided tours are available.
Alternatively, you can bike on the picturesque pathway along the Rideau Canal to Commissioners Park and other key sites. Bike rentals are available from RentABike or Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals (which also offers a three-hour bike tour). Boat and bus tours are available, too.
Festival activities
The Tulip Festival’s programming is brimming with family-friendly activities and attractions.
Catch a movie in the park in the morning, afternoon or evening. Learn about the exciting world of insects on the Big Bug Boardwalk, which transforms into a blacklight wonderland by night. Or stop by the Tulip Market to buy flowers, merchandise and various tulip-themed goods from local vendors.
There’s also the Dutch Pavilion, where you can immerse yourself in Dutch culture and heritage with photo ops, live presentations, games and more.
Where to eat
At Commissioners Park, you’ll find several food trucks slinging Ottawa favourites like shawarma, poutine, BeaverTails, ice cream and donuts. With Dow’s Lake Pavilion and Little Italy nearby, some of Ottawa’s best restaurants and cafes are within walking distance.
Nearby restaurants include:
- Umbrella Bar: casual lakeside dining with stellar views of Dow’s Lake.
- Evoo Greek Kitchen: modern Greek fare infused with authentic flavours.
- Giovanni's: Italian fine dining in a cozy, upscale atmosphere.
- Morning Owl: organic coffee, sandwiches and pastries in a sleek cafe.
- Retro Gusto: Roman-style pizza in a low-lit setting with vintage touches.
- Pub Italia: a quirky pub with Italian dishes and an extensive beer bible.
- La Roma: traditional Italian dishes served in a warm, inviting space.
Nearby nightlife
Whatever your flavour of fun, you’ll find it on Preston Street, just steps from the Tulip Festival. The Moonroom is one of Ottawa’s top cocktail spots, while WARD 14 is a curated hangout — a local watering hole disguised as a consignment store. There’s also Pubwells, a cozy, traditional British pub featuring live music every Thursday and Saturday.
Celebrate spring in full colour
The Canadian Tulip Festival is an impressive trifecta of historical, cultural and botanical significance. Whether you're strolling through multicolour gardens, diving into a history lesson on the Netherlands, or eating at some of the best restaurants in Ottawa, get ready for an unforgettable experience.
