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Festivals
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Ottawa uses every excuse in the book to put on a
festival
, and its munificence is evident at every jamboree. Public holidays like Canada Day are celebrated here with the sort of spectacle that other cities muster, but with extra dollars to boost the show, while seasonal shindigs like the Winterlude and the Canadian Tulip Festival are as lavish as any in the country. Other than these large bashes, ethnic festivals embracing Canada's diverse population are smaller but equally entertaining and there's a wide variety of musical festivals too. The list below is arranged chronologically.
Winterlude . A ten-day snow-and-ice extravaganza spread over February. Concentrated around the frozen Rideau Canal, it includes ice sculptures at Confederation Park - renamed the Crystal Garden for the duration - and snow sculptures around Dows Lake. Other events include speed skating, bed races and dog-sled races. Further information on tel 239-5000. Canadian Tulip Festival . Held in mid-May, this is the oldest of Ottawa's festivals - it began in 1945 when the Dutch sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to the capital to thank the Canadian soldiers who helped liberate the Netherlands. More bulbs arrived the following year from Queen Juliana, who had taken refuge in Ottawa when the Netherlands were occupied. The transformation of the city didn't meet with universal approval at first - Mackenzie King thought the planting of tulips around the Parliament Buildings was "undignified", but his staff planted thousands in secret anyway. Nowadays the bulbs are planted around Parliament, along the canal and around Dows Lake, an outbreak of colour that's accompanied by concerts, parades, fireworks and a huge craft show. The major events take place in Major's Hill Park and Dows Lake - but few are free, and the festival now has a reputation for being rather touristy. Further information on tel 567-5757, www.tulipfestival.ca . Franco-Ontarien Festival . Late June. This celebration of French culture has built up a reputation as being the party that brings a bit of wildness to conservative Ottawa. Dalhousie St is closed off to traffic for up to five days, so the bands and street dancers can take over. Further information on tel 741-1225, www.ffo.ca . Canada Day . July 1 The country's national day celebrated in style with parades, processions and much flag waving. Further information on tel 239-5000. Bluesfest . Early July. Canada's largest festival of blues including international crooners with concerts in various venues and free shows in Confederation Park. Further information on tel 233-8798, www.ottawa-bluesfest.ca . Festival Canada . July. Based around the National Arts Centre, this month-long festival features performances of opera, concerts, choral works, jazz, English and French theatre, cabaret and workshops. Further information on tel 996-5051, www.nac-can.ca . Ottawa International Jazz Festival . Mid-July. One of Ottawa's most popular festivals, showcasing more than 400 musicians. The main stage is in Confederation Park with concerts several times daily. In addition, local bands play around Byward Market and at city clubs. Further information on tel 594-3580, www.jazz.ottawa.com .
Ottawa Chamber Music Festival
. Late July to early Aug. North America's largest classical music festival, with concerts in venues and churches across the city. Further information on tel 234-8008,
www.chamberfest.com
. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Canada,
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