The next Canadian Tulip Festival will be held from May 11 – 21, 2018.
The namesake tulip beds will be blooming at Commissioner’s Park, Dow’s Lake and Major’s Hill Park. Many different varieties have been planted so that there will always be something in bloom when you visit!
As in recent years, there was a lot of exciting events for all to enjoy at the 2017 Tulip Festival and we expect 2018 to be no different. We always recommend to check out their website (tulipfestival.ca) for last minute changes or updates to their schedule. Here is a listing of some of the events they have had in previous years:
- Lots and lots of tulips (of course)
A million tulips in more than a dozen varieties along the Tulip Route, and at “Tulip central” in Commissioner’s Park beside Dow’s Lake and the historic Rideau Canal. - Floral Fireworks
An extravaganza of pyrotechnic artistry over Dow’s Lake, commemorating the Liberation and the “Royal Princess” story of the Tulip Legacy. - VE Day
Canadian War Memorial
A commemorative public ceremony and a Tribute to Veterans fireworks performance that night over Dow’s Lake. - Whimsy in the Park
Commissioner’s Park
Choose your photo op among dozens of individually themed five-foot painted tulip sculptures, the children’s Tea Party topiary and the unveiling of the commemorative “Princess” tulip sculpture. - Buskers in the Park
Each day there will be buskers, children’s programs and continuous live performances at the Liberation Cafe Bar & Grill.
The Canadian Tulip Festival (in Ottawa) is the largest tulip festival in the world and it is held every year in May. Can you imagine standing amongst millions of tulips? The colours are absolutely breathtaking.
We like to think of this festival as the time when Ottawa comes alive – winter has ended, the flowers are blooming and the warmer weather arrives!
Are you asking yourself why does Ottawa have such a large tulip festival? We always enjoy explaining the history of the festival to our friends and family who come to visit. It truly is a special story.
In 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands donated 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa to thank us for our hospitality during the Second World War. The Dutch Royal Family was exiled and came to Ottawa for a place of safety. Princess Margret was also born at that time in one of our hospitals. The first Tulip Festival was held in 1953 and the rest, as they say, is history.
We really look forward to another great Festival. The organizers of the festival put a lot of work into it. They do such a fantastic job of making Ottawa an even better place to live and visit.
Our children love going to the various events but really just enjoy being mesmerized by the thousands of tulips. It is a perfect photo opportunity as well. We have pictures of them from when they weren’t even walking until now from different years at the festival. They are a great keepsake.
For more information then check out the official website.
Enjoy tiptoeing through the tulips (just kidding – this is actually quite frowned upon)! But do enjoy the colours, the sounds and the fresh spring air!
