Ottawa should be at the top of your list of must-visit destinations for Canada’s 150th birthday celebration this summer with an abundance of events guaranteed to get you in party mode.
Ottawa is set to host some of its biggest and best events – ever – this summer, in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. We may be getting older Canada, but definitely not boring.
Lucky visitors will be treated to a terrific assortment of FREE world-class events that will run throughout the summer. As for residents of Ottawa, there’s no better time to play tourist in your own city than in 2017! So, if you missed out on purchasing tickets to some of the Canada 150 events, don’t despair. There are plenty of fabulous things to see and do in the Capital this summer!
And did we mention? They are FREE!
Ottawa Welcomes The World
Ottawa is a diverse city, made even more diverse thanks to the large number of embassies and high commissions located here. Ottawa Welcomes The World will see 46 embassies and high commissions welcoming visitors to Ottawa’s Aberdeen Pavilion and Horticulture Building, to mark their country’s national celebration. Visitors can enjoy multicultural artistic performances, music, and foods from around the world (minimal fees apply to food and beverage sampling). Be sure to check the Ottawa Welcomes The World schedule, on the Ottawa 2017 website, for details.
Inspiration Village
This spring, Ottawa’s historic market area plays host to multiple sea containers, forming a “village” that will feature special exhibits and events that showcase each of Canada’s provinces and territories. Fun for the whole family, Inspiration Village will present visitors with culinary demonstrations, live entertainment performances, several fun photo ops with Canadian props, and the chance to share your story about Canada, and your vision for our country’s future. And that’s just the tip of the Newfoundland iceberg! Be sure to check online starting in mid-May for a full list of everything happening at Inspiration Village for Canada 150.
Kontinuum
For those of us who live in Ottawa, we’ve been hearing about the Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) for a long time now. This summer, residents and visitors will finally be able to see what has been going on under our feet for the last few years! Kontinuum, taking place for Canada 150 at Lyon Station, promises “an ultimate underground experience with a futuristic and immersive multimedia production” showcasing “this innovative mode of travel” that will “build anticipation for this new era of transportation in the nation’s capital.” All aboard!
Canada Day Celebration
Ottawa’s Canada Day celebration is something that every Canadian should get to experience at least once in their lifetime. There really is no other Canada Day celebration – or fireworks display – like it.
Ottawa is set to host the biggest Canada Day celebration yet, on July 1, 2017. Parliament Hill, and the surrounding downtown core, will be ready to host thousands upon thousands of visitors from across the country, and around the world. This will be one huge Canada 150 party!
Festivities start early at 9 a.m. with a flag raising ceremony, and the Changing of the Guard. Don’t miss the iconic Snowbirds, with their thrilling acrobatics over Parliament Hill, at noon. Enjoy the noon hour entertainment show featuring the talent of local, and national, Canadian performers. Spend time enjoying numerous Canada Day festivities during the afternoon, and then get ready for an evening of stellar performances from some of your favourite Canadian entertainers. Cap off Canada’s 150th birthday with a bang watching the fireworks finale over Parliament Hill’s Peace Tower!
La Machine
These are the things my worst nightmares are made of. I can handle a giant fire-breathing dragon but, a giant (walking!) spider? Oh my! I go weak in the knees just thinking about it. I may be a huge arachnophobe, however, I must admit that I am very much looking forward to standing amongst the mesmerizing creatures of La Machine this summer.
After doing a little research on La Machine, I can assure you, it’s going to be sight to behold; definitely one of those “once-in-a-lifetime” events.
Based out of Nantes, France, La Machine makes its North American debut right here on the streets of downtown Ottawa. This “ambulatory urban theatre” is sure to be a crowd pleaser. So join me, face your worst fears this summer, and come see La Machine in Ottawa July 27-30th. Something tells me you won’t regret it!
MosaiCanada 150
Technically, MosaiCanada 150 is not happening in Ottawa, it’s happening at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, Quebec, just over the Jacques-Cartier bridge from downtown Ottawa. However, this mosaiculture event is a free must-see spectacle of magical horticultural creations that is sure to be well worth the short drive across the bridge.
For more information on these and all the other special Canada 150 events and activities taking place in Ottawa this year, be sure to check out the Ottawa 2017 and Ottawa Tourism websites. And if you love apps and social media like I do, download the Ottawa 2017 mobile app for even more fun!
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