What to see and do on Canada Day 2024

CBC

26 June 2024 at 1:12 pm·4-min read

The mainstage at LeBreton Flats is always an excellent choice to celebrate Canada Day, but there are other events all over the city that might also interest you.

Not sure where to start? We've provided all the details for the main party, local celebrations and other activities in one convenient place.

Canada Day on the mainstage

People clap during Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa July 1, 2022. — A scene from the Canada Day celebration at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa July 1, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

LeBreton Flats Park and 1 Vimy Pl.
9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 1.
Free.

The Canada Day mainstage is still the main event on July 1. Performances and activities start at 9 a.m. The fireworks start at 10:30 p.m.

Local celebrations

People watch as fireworks explode over LeBreton Flats area during Canada Day celebrations in downtown Ottawa, on Saturday, July 1, 2023. — People watch as fireworks explode over LeBreton Flats during Canada Day celebrations in downtown Ottawa on July 1, 2023. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)

Local communities in and around Ottawa will also hold events for those who don't want to brave downtown. Details are listed on each community's website:

Canada Day concert

The National Arts Centre Orchestra, La Chapelle de Québec and soloists perform Handel's Messiah at Southam Hall in Ottawa. — The National Arts Centre Orchestra will perform a free concert at Southam Hall in Ottawa on Canada Day. (National Arts Centre/Facebook)

National Arts Centre.
2:30 p.m. on July 1, lasting 75 minutes.
Free.

The National Arts Centre Orchestra will hold a special Canada Day Concert in Southam Hall featuring special guests including YAO, Kerson Leong and Kellylee Evans.

If you want to attend, you can pick up a bracelet in advance at the NAC between noon and 2:20 p.m.

The ByWard Market

Dreessen spent a lot of time in Ottawa's ByWard Market, seen in this undated photo, when he worked as a chef. In 2020, he proposed a car-free plan to rejuvenate it as a tourist destination. — The ByWard Market will host special Canada Day performances and activities all weekend. (Submitted by Toon Dreessen)

Near 55 ByWard Market Square.
June 29 to July 1, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Free.

The ByWard Market's festivities will take place all weekend. There will be live music as part of the Ooh Music, Arts & Streetwear Festival and vintage shopping thanks to a collaboration with The Real Fly Market.

Several restaurants in the area will have special menus and exclusive offers, so ask your favourite spots for their deals.

Free museums

Demonstrations and displays about Indigenous history will be located outside the museum building in August. — Admission to many local museums including the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., will be free on Canada Day. (Canadian Museum of History)

Don't forget that many local museums offer free admission on Canada Day, and many will have special guests or events for visitors:

The Diefenbunker Museum is not offering free admission, but tickets will be half price. Most city-run museums will be closed for the day.

Inuit culture on display

Inuit youth from Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS) perform a song for the crowd gathered in the foyer of 100 Wellington Street. — Inuit youth from Nunavut Sivuniksavut perform a song in the foyer of 100 Wellington St. (Avanthika Anand/CBC )

100 Wellington St.
July 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free.

The former U.S. embassy at 100 Wellington St. will be closing for redevelopment as it becomes an official meeting space for Inuit, First Nations and Métis people. First, though, it will host a temporary exhibit about Inuit culture and history on Canada Day.

Canada Day races in Kanata

Earl of March Secondary School, 4 The Parkway.
July 1, 8 a.m.
Between $15 and $84.99

Kanata will again host runs on Canada Day including a 1K race for kids, and a 5K and 10K for adults.

Online registration has closed, but you can still sign up at the starting line on July 1.

Part of the registration fees will go to the Canadian Cancer Society, and more donations are accepted at the race. The Kanata Food Cupboard will provide snacks at the finish line, and will also be accepting donations of non-perishable food item.

OHHH Canada Kids Festival Jeunesse

Mahmuda Barvin's nine-year-old son, Shaiiaan Arifam, went to the Bridgewater Lake's Canda Day celebration with her. — A child plays at a splash pad. This year's Canada Day party in Orléans promises a similarly wet and wild time. (Ian Froese/CBC)

Millennium Park, off Trim Road in Orléans.
July 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free.

The OHHH Canada Kids Festival Jeunesse in Orléans is organized by the Kiwanis Club of Eastern Ottawa and hosted in Orleans.

It grew out of the community's Canada Day celebrations that were hosted at Petrie Island. This year, it's focusing on kid-centric events, activities and music. The splash pad will be running and there will be an enormous birthday cake to enjoy.

Musical performances on Parliament Hill

Members of the Band of the Ceremonial Guard march off in front of reviewing officer Lieutenant-General J.A.J. Parent, centre, at the conclusion of Fortissimo, a military and musical performance, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Saturday, July 22, 2017. — Members of the Band of the Ceremonial Guard march on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on July 22, 2017. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Parliament Hill.
July 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free.

A variety of bands will perform on Parliament Hill Saturday, including the Band of the Ceremonial Guard, the 75 & 742 Air Cadets Squadrons Band, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes & Drums.

Watch the Capital City Stompers

Ottawa Jazz Festival organizers are frustrated that one of their venues was not subject to a noise bylaw exemption, creating trouble for late night concerts. — Confederation Park will host a performance on Canada Day courtesy of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. (Matthew Kupfer/CBC)

Confederation Park.
July 1, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Free.

Courtesy of the Ottawa Jazz Festival, you can watch the Ottawa-based trad jazz quartet Capital City Stompers perform at Confederation Park. You're welcome to get up and dance, or sit back and enjoy the show.

Evening Standard
Police investigate video 'showing female prison officer having sex with inmate in Wandsworth Prison cell'
The Ministry of Justice called in police after the video was released online
The Independent
Boy, 14, was held down and hacked to death at Wyoming mall while he tried to protect his girlfriend
Dominique Antonio Richard Harris and Jarreth Plunkett, both 15, are accused of murdering 14-year-old Bobby Maher during fatal attack
BBC
China honours woman who died saving Japanese family
Hu Youping, a bus attendant, tried to restrain an assailant at a bus stop outside a Japanese school.
CNN
Restaurants ban young customers, video captures massive sinkhole and a rare dinosaur find: Catch up on the day’s stories
CNN’s 5 Things PM brings you the stories you might have missed during your busy day.
Evening Standard
Woman attacked by stranger who dragged her into garden in north London ambush
A manhunt has been launched after police found the partially clothed woman
INSIDER
12 ultra-wealthy people who aren't leaving their fortunes to their children
Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, said that her family's billionaire status "ends with me."
LA Times
She died a convicted killer. On Friday, her kids saw a judge declare her innocent
Connie Dahl's sons were 3 and 8 when there mother was taken away in handcuffs, accused of a brutal murder. On Friday, a California judge declared her innocent — 39 years after the killing.
AFP News
Thousands mourn Buddhist abbot killed by Myanmar security forces
Thousands of mourners on Thursday attended the funeral of a popular Buddhist abbot shot dead by Myanmar security forces in an incident that drew a rare apology from the junta.He was shot dead on June 19 as he travelled by car through central Mandalay region, in an incident state media initially blamed on its opponents before the junta said its forces were responsible.
Deadline
Ex-‘American Ninja Warrior’ Champion Sentenced In Child Exploitation Case
A former American Ninja Warrior champion has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a teenage girl. After prison, Andrew Drechsel, age 35, must additionally serve 15 years of supervised release and pay the victim $100,000 in restitution, Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb ruled in …
The Hill
Barrett breaks with conservatives over Jan. 6 obstruction charge ruling
In a pointed dissent, Justice Amy Coney Barrett skewered her fellow justices over their decision to narrow an obstruction charge used to prosecute scores of rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The Supreme Court voted 6-3 on Friday to side with Joseph Fischer, a former police officer accused of partaking in the…
The Independent
Uvalde school police chief pictured in orange jumpsuit as he’s charged over mass shooting which left 21 dead
Uvalde police officers had wanted to enter the classrooms once they had protective shields but Pete Arredondo’s decision ‘overrode’ that action
KameraOne
Cow charges into home and crashes family's dinner
This is the moment a cow escaped from a neighbor and charged into a family's home in Gia Lai, Vietnam on June 17. The angry bovine hit several people during its rampage but was chased out of the house. Luckily, no one suffered any major injuries.
CNN
West Virginia couple charged with trafficking their adopted Black children to be used as ‘slaves,’ authorities allege
Two West Virginia parents are awaiting trial on more than a dozen charges after adopting four Black children and allegedly using them for “forced labor” on their farm, court documents show.
The Independent
What is Joe Biden’s net worth?
Two-thirds of president’s net worth is tied up in real estate after decades of buying and selling homes in Delaware and surrounding areas
The Independent
Eight puppies abandoned in dangerous heatwave are rescued by police
All the puppies dumped in Fort Worth are healthy and have found new homes
BBC
Stabbed man had 'heart of gold', his family says
Paying tribute to the 23-year-old, his family say they will "never be the same without him".
The Telegraph
Driver chains £100,000 Land Rover to tree in bid to stop thieves
A Land Rover owner has chained their car to a tree in London to prevent it being stolen.
People
Former “American Ninja Warrior” Champion Drew Drechsel Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Sex Crimes
The TV competitor was arrested in August 2020 after having a sexual relationship with a teenage victim he met in 2014
CNN
A 12-year-old who loved Harry Potter and old music: What we know about Jocelyn Nungaray and the men accused in her death
Twelve-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was on a walk to the convenience store in Houston when she disappeared and was found dead in a creek earlier this month, police said.
CNN
Texas executes Ramiro Gonzales after failed appeals that argued he was no longer a threat nor eligible for death penalty
Texas executed Ramiro Gonzales by lethal injection on Wednesday for a 2001 murder, the state Department of Criminal Justice said, following unsuccessful appeals to the US Supreme Court that argued, in part, he should have been ineligible for the death penalty under state law because he was no longer dangerous.

Latest stories