Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival

This free multi-day summer festival on the Rideau River—the largest event of its kind in North America—features racing, concerts, family fun, local food vendors and more.

Each June, you can watch exciting races and enjoy top-notch concerts at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival for free! The fundraising festival takes place just south of downtown Ottawa at beautiful Mooney's Bay Park, with its sandy beach and large Giver 150 children's playground. Cheer on teams of 20 paddlers, each guided by a drummer and a steersperson, as they power large, colourful boats!

In between or after the races, browse for artisans' products and multicultural culinary treats, enjoy a drink at the beach bar, check out sports demonstrations, and kick back to great live music. Past performers have included The Sheepdogs, Alan Doyle, Jeff Healy, Arkell and Spirit of the West, as well as local stars such as MonkeyJunk, Lynn Miles and Jim Bryson.

And if you're visiting with kids, don't miss the vibrant children's area, which offers fun with crafts, music, science, puppets, clowns, games, animals and magic.