Explore beautiful urban landscapes full of colourful flora spring through fall, including over 140 garden sites with garden beds, dedicated trees and rare plants.
May 9 - 19, 2025
Welcome spring at the world's largest tulip festival! This popular annual event features massive tulip displays, family fun and more.
Over 11 days each May, the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates the seasonal flower’s beauty and its historic ties to Canada’s capital. The outdoor event takes place at Commissioners Park, where over 300,000 tulips bloom alongside the Rideau Canal's picturesque Dows Lake. Access to the site and select programming is free!
Tulips (day and night), kids fun and souvenirs
Take photos and selfies amongst the dozens of multicoloured garden beds; visit the heritage display to learn about the historic gift of tulips which led to the festival’s creation; shop for fresh cut flowers, crafts, art and more at the tulip boutique; take the kids to the Tulip Town activity area; and enjoy lit garden beds and a blacklight boardwalk experience after dark.
Tours, workshops and movie
Enjoy a Self-Guided Legacy Tour that conveniently uses QR codes. Additional free programming includes daily outdoor movies at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as a new sound and light show every evening on the blacklight boardwalk at 9:15 p.m.
Royal roots
The festival began with a special gift. The Royal Family of the Kingdom of the Netherlands took refuge in Ottawa during the Second World War, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Margriet was born here in 1943. Two years later, Canadian troops played a key role in liberating the Netherlands. In gratitude, the Dutch government has sent Canada a gift of tulip bulbs every year since 1945, inspiring what has become the Canadian Tulip Festival.
More Details
Address
Commissioners Park Ottawa
Local
Toll Free
Website
Email
Major credit cards accepted
Accessibility: Washrooms
Partial
Admission (regular adult price)
Free
Time Needed to Visit
4
Student Friendly
Coach Parking
Within two blocks
Comp policy for the Driver and/or the Escort
Driver only
Maximum Group Size
50
Student friendly web page
Ottawa Insider Blog
Related articles
Top places to photograph beautiful tulips in Ottawa
Looking for epic tulip photography opportunities in Ottawa? Find out which city parks, attractions and flower farms you should visit this spring.
Different ways to experience beautiful tulips in Ottawa
Walk, bike, bus, fly and cruise your way to dazzling tulip displays in the Ottawa region this May, including the Canadian Tulip Festival site and more.
Canadian Tulip Festival
Canadian Tulip Festival
Commissioners Park -
Ottawa ON
Canada
Canadian Tulip Festival
Canadian Tulip Festival
Commissioners Park -
Ottawa ON
Canada
Canadian Tulip Festival
Canadian Tulip Festival
Commissioners Park -
Ottawa ON
Canada
Canadian Tulip Festival
Canadian Tulip Festival
Commissioners Park -
Ottawa ON
Canada
Related Events
European Union Film Festival
The festival presents 27 films from all 27 European Union member states and—as a bonus and to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine—it also…
World Multicultural Festival
Celebrate our strength in diversity: the festival brings together people of all ages and nationalities to experience the richness of the cultural…
Christmas in Old Aylmer
Step into a winter wonderland and experience the magic of the holiday season at Christmas in Old Aylmer. Discover unique and handcrafted gifts at the…
