There’s no doubt about it: Ottawa is a great place to live. In this city, you’ll find plenty of fun events year-round. But there’s something about the Ottawa summer festivals that really makes people want to get out and explore.
Cue the festivals. Though it’s still spring, it’s never too early to pull out your calendar and start planning. This year, why not get a jump on summer? Here, we’ll explore some of the most exciting early-summer festivals happening in Ottawa in 2018.
The Tulip Festival
The Canadian Tulip Festival is a pretty big deal. It draws 650,000 annual visitors from around the world. While the festivities don’t technically take place in summer (they occur from May 11th-21st), they do provide a great excuse to start enjoying the warmer weather.
The festival features floral-themed art, film screenings, culinary events, photography workshops, and more—along with tulip beds as far as the eye can see. Events take place in various locations across the city, including Commissioner’s Park and the Byward Market. Start your summer in Ottawa off right with the Tulip Festival experience!
The Dragon Boat Festival
Currently, 200 teams participate in races as part of Ottawa’s Dragon Boat Festival. Of course, this summer extravaganza is about more than just a sport. The festival, which receives assistance from the Hong Kong Canada Business Association, honours a Chinese cultural tradition that began over 2,400 years ago.
The festivities includes puppets, crafts, and various other family-friendly activities. Attendees also have the opportunity to see performances by some of the biggest names in Canadian music. You can check out the festival from June 21st-24th.
Doors Open Ottawa
Have you ever wondered what it looks like inside of the Supreme Court of Canada? Are you interested in learning how a water filtration plant works? If so, you might want to check out Doors Open Ottawa.
The annual festival allows participants to explore the culture, history, and architecture of the city. The doors of some of Ottawa’s most prestigious buildings will swing open on June 2nd and 3rd, allowing curious fun-seekers to see what happens inside.
Believe it or not, all Doors Open Ottawa events are free—and you don’t have to pay for the shuttle bus that will take you from building to building.
Glowfair
Next up: another completely free Ottawa festival. According to its website, Glowfair is “a block party unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.” Anyone who’s ever participated in or wandered through a Glowfair event can attest to that description.
From June 14th-16th, ten blocks of Bank Street will be shut down to showcase art, live music, and communal yoga (among other things). The festival picks up steam after dark, when LED lights brighten up warm summer evenings. Though there are plenty of nighttime events, Glowfair is family-friendly—so don’t be afraid to bring the kids.
Ottawa Fringe Festival
Now in its 22nd year, the Ottawa Fringe Festival provides attendees with the opportunity to see some of the best independent theatre in Canada. You’ll find critically-acclaimed productions by established playwrights alongside experimental theatre by emerging artists. Whatever your tastes are, you’ll find something that moves you at the Fringe.
If you’re invested in supporting local arts, you’ll also be glad to know that all Fringe performances are produced independently, and 100% of ticket sales go to the artists. This year, you can catch one of the best Ottawa summer festivals from June 14th-24th.
Honourable mention: Ottawa Beer Fest
We didn’t include Ottawa Beer Fest in our list of top Ottawa summer festivals for one reason—we’ve talked about it before! Still, we couldn’t resist reminding you beer lovers to get involved in the fun, June 15th-16th at Lansdowne Park. Your taste buds will thank you!
Living in Ottawa is an incredible experience, no matter the season. If you’re considering embarking on a adventure in a new home, we’d love to help! Get in touch to schedule a free, no-pressure meeting.