Practical information — Canada Day in the capital

Canada Day activities are held at LeBreton Flats Park and in the heart of Ottawa-Gatineau. On July 1, enjoy the free activities and shows taking place in Canada’s Capital Region.

On this page

• Getting around
• Street closures
• Festival-goer information
• Universal accessibility
• Tourist information
• Do your part for the environment

Getting around

Given that many streets are closed to traffic during the Canada Day celebrations, we encourage you to plan ahead and use public transit or your bike.

• Getting around on foot

  All pedestrians entering or leaving LeBreton Flats Park must use Wellington Street or Booth Street.

  • From Gatineau: Pedestrians may use the Alexandra or the Portage Bridge to access Ottawa. Note: LeBreton Flats Park is not accessible from Chaudière Crossing.
  • From Ottawa: please take Wellington Street or Booth Street. Bay, Lyon or any other street perpendicular to Wellington Street are only accessible by active transportation (on foot or by bike).
  • The Chaudière Crossing will be open to pedestrians heading toward Gatineau following the fireworks, starting at 10:15 pm.

• Biking to Canada Day sites

  People biking to Canada Day sites can use the designated free bike parking spaces located in:

  • Ottawa near LeBreton Flats Park, on Wellington Street, at Mill Street.

  Follow the signs to locate the designated bike parking. We ask that cyclists walk their bikes in areas where streets are closed to vehicle traffic.

• Public transit

  To get to the Canada Day festivities in Ottawa and Gatineau, use public transit.

  OC Transpo (OCT) and the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) offer free bus service throughout the day on July 1. Several free parking spaces are available at park-and-ride locations (parc-o-bus), in Ottawa and Gatineau.

  To plan your trip ahead, check out OC Transpo’s Travel Planner, download the OC Transpo Transit app, or use the STO Plani-Bus to plan ahead.

  For more information on schedules and services, visit the OC Transpo website or the STO website. To speak to a representative by phone, call OC Transpo at 613-560-5000 or STO at 819-770-3242.

Street closures

Please note that the information below may change at any time without prior notice.

• Ottawa

  For the most recent changes regarding street closures, visit the City of Ottawa website.

  In Ottawa, the following street closures are required from July 1 at 6 am to July 2 at 2 am: - closed to vehicles

  • Wellington Street between Elgin Street and Vimy Place
  • Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway between Vimy Place and Parkdale Avenue
  • Sparks Street between Lyon Street North and Bronson Avenue
  • Queen Street between Elgin Street and Bronson Avenue
  • Metcalfe Street between Wellington and Albert Streets
  • O’Connor Street between Wellington and Albert Streets
  • Bank Street between Wellington and Albert Streets
  • Kent Street between Wellington and Albert Streets
  • Lyon Street North between Wellington and Albert Streets
  • Bay Street between Wellington and Albert Streets
  • Bronson Avenue between Sparks and Albert Streets
  • Commissioner Street between Wellington and Albert Streets
  • Booth Street between the Chaudière Crossing and Albert Street
  • Vimy Place between Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway and Booth Street
  • Chaudière Private at the Chaudière Crossing
  • Miwate Private at Chaudière Private
  • Zaida Eddy Private at the Chaudière Crossing
  • Fleet Street between Booth and Lett Streets – resident access at the corner of Booth and Albert Streets
  • Lloyd Street between Fleet and Lett Streets - resident access at the corner of Booth and Albert Streets
  • Lett Street between Lloyd and Wellington Streets - resident access at the corner of Booth and Albert Streets
  • Onigam Street between Lemieux Island and Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway

  The following street closure is required from July 1 at 7 pm to July 2 at 2 am:

  • Metcalfe Street between Albert and Slater Streets
  • O’Connor Street between Albert and Slater Streets
  • Bank Street between Albert and Slater Streets
  • Kent Street between Albert and Slater Streets
  • Lyon Street between Albert and Slater Streets
  • Bay Street between Albert and Slater Streets
  • Albert Street between Bronson Avenue and Elgin Street
  • Slater Street between Bronson Avenue and Elgin Street
  • Bronson Avenue between Slater Street and Laurier Avenue
  • Albert Street between City Centre Avenue and Bronson Avenue

  The above street closures may be in effect from July 1 at 6 am to July 2 at 2 am should there be a public safety requirement to support OC Transpo Light rail queues.

  The following streets are open to local traffic from July 1 at 6 am to July 2 at 2 am:

  • Upper Lorne Place from Somerset Street West to the end of the street
  • Lorne Avenue between Booth and Albert Streets
  • Perkins Street from Albert to the end of the street
  • Empress Avenue North from Albert Street to the end of the street
  • Booth Street between Somerset Street West and Albert Street
  • Rochester Street from Somerset Street West to the end of the street
  • Preston Street between Somerset Street West and Albert Street
  • Primrose Avenue between Walnut Court and Booth Street
  • Elm Street West between City Centre Avenue and Elm Street
  • Elm Street between Elm Street West and Booth Street
  • Spruce Street West between City Centre Avenue and Spruce Street
  • Spruce Street between Spruce Street West and Booth Street

  The following streets are open to local traffic from July 1 at 7 pm to July 2 at 2 am:

  • City Center Avenue

  The following multi-use pathways are closed from July 1 at 6 am to July 2 at 2 am and the detour in place from July 1 at 6 am to July 2 at 2 am:

  • The Trans-Canadian pathway (Ottawa River Pathway) from the access point on Mill Street to the access point on Onigam Street at the corner of Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway
  • The Trilium pathway from the junction with the Trans-Canadian pathway (Ottawa River Pathway) to the pathway located at the back of the O-Train Bayview station.

  The following multi-use pathway is closed from June 30 at 8 pm to July 2 at 2 am

  • Chief William Commanda Bridge

• Gatineau

  In Gatineau, the following street closures are required from June 30 at 10 am to July 1 at 10 pm:

  • Laval Street between Hôtel-de-Ville Street and Promenade Portage
  • Wellington Street from Laval Street for an approximative distance of 15 m
  • Wright Street from Laval Street for an approximative distance of 20 m

  In Gatineau, the following street closures are required from July 1 at 6 am to July 2 at 2 am:

  • Rue Jos Montferrand between Laurier Street and Eddy Street.
  • Eddy Street between Laurier Street and the Chaudière Crossing.

  Please note that from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m., the Portage Bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians only.

  The Alexandra Bridge will be closed to all southbound vehicles from July 1 at 6am to midnight. During this period, the center lane will remain open to pedestrians only.

  The Chaudière Crossing is closed to vehicle traffic from July 1 at 6 am to July 2 at 2 am.

  The Chaudière Crossing will be closed to pedestrians from July 1 at 6am to 10:15pm

Festival-goer information

Planning a trip to Canada’s Capital Region on July 1? Wondering what services are offered at the Canada Day sites? Here is some practical information.

• Facilities and services

  The following facilities and services are available at LeBreton Flats Park:

  • Concession stands
  • Portable washrooms and washrooms accessible to wheelchairs
  • First aid
  • Lost children services
  • Information
  • Lost and found

  Concession stands, first aid and lost children services are also available near the corner of Portage Bridge and Wellington Street. Additional satellite first aid posts are available at the Garden of Provinces and Territories on Wellington Street, at the corner of Bay Street as well as near the Supreme Court of Canada.

  Lost children’s services are identified with yellow signs showing a teddy bear. We suggest that you take a picture of your children with your phone and decide on a plan with them before heading out. As soon as you arrive at a site, show them where the lost children’s tent is and pick up a free child identification bracelet.

  Information booths will be open on July 1 at these locations:

  • LeBreton Flats Park (Ottawa)
  • Corner of Portage Bridge and Wellington Street (Ottawa)

  Presented by Giant Tiger.

  Valuable items are turned over to the Canadian Heritage Volunteer Centre: 819-956-2626 or benevoles-volunteer@pch.gc.ca.

• Getting ready to celebrate Canada Day

  The festivities start early! Browse the calendar of events for more details. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and a hat. And bring a reusable water bottle, which you can fill up at water stations on site.

  The main entrance is located at LeBreton Flats Park, near the intersection of Wellington and Booth Streets.

  To access LeBreton Flats Park, all visitors must use Wellington Street or Booth Street.

  Access to LeBreton Flats Park is faster for those without bags or restricted items. Expect to undergo a security screening, including a bag check and a metal detector. See the section on restricted items for more details.

• Restricted items

  The following items are not allowed:

  • alcohol
  • filled bottles
  • firearms
  • bombs
  • fireworks
  • Scooter
  • Segway
  • bags exceeding 35.5 cm X 30.5 cm x 19 cm (or 14 in. x 12 in. X 7.5 in.)

• No dogs or pets

  Pets are not permitted on official Canada Day sites, except for certified service animals.

• Cell phone charging stations

  Let yourself be tempted by unique, relaxing and comfortable areas while charging up your phone. Charging stations are available in the Tim Hortons Summer Fun Zone and near the main stage at LeBreton Flats Park.

Universal accessibility

LeBreton Flats Park, the Supreme Court of Canada and Parliament Hill are accessible to persons with special needs.

For more information regarding universal accessibility on the Canada Day official sites, please contact the Ottawa Visitor Centre.

• Persons with special needs — LeBreton Flats Park

  Reserved area for persons with special needs:

  • A viewing platform — reserved for those using wheelchairs or other mobility assistance devices — is located on the North Lawn near the Canadian War Museum’s entrance
  • An induction loop system is available for hearing impaired persons
  • iPads are available for closed captioning
  • Accessible washrooms and water are available for those in the reserved area
  • A personal care attendant will be available on the platform for the noon ceremony and the evening show
  • Volunteers are on site to help guide you, as needed

  Space on the viewing platform is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations and 1 companion only.

  Please note that those using the induction loop system or iPad will be asked to provide a credit card or photo identification.

• Drop-off / pick-up point

  Contact Para-Transpo or STO Paratransit by calling:

  • OC Transpo at 613-560-5000
  • STO at 819-773-2222

  For LeBreton Flats Park Only:

  A shuttle service is available for mobility device users between Tom Brown Arena, located at 141 Bayview Station Road, Ottawa and LeBreton Flats Park. No parking is available and note that the shuttle will not be in service between 11 am and 2:30 pm.

  If you will not be using the shuttle service, the entrance for persons with reduced mobility needs is located at the LeBreton Flats Park pedestrian entrance located at the intersection of Booth and Wellington Streets. Special access will be granted to them and their 1 companion to access the site via Wellington Street

• Sign language interpretation

  Sign language interpretation (ASL and LSQ) is broadcast on the giant screens during the daytime ceremony only.

  Please note that those wishing to use the induction loop system or iPad will be asked to provide a credit card or photo identification.

  For more information regarding universal accessibility on the Canada Day official sites, please contact the Ottawa Visitor Centre.

Tourist information

• Ottawa Visitor Centre

  Hours

  Open daily, from 9 am to 5 pm, including July 1

  Address

  54 Elgin Street, Ottawa (Ontario)

  Telephone

  613-236-0044 (toll-free)
  1-844-878-8333 (toll-free)

  Email

  infoservices@pch.gc.ca

• Tourist associations

  • Ottawa Tourism
  • Outaouais Tourism

Do your part for the environment

We encourage everyone to do their part for the environment. While attending events for Canada Day festivities at one of our official sites, please:

• Reuse — bring a reusable water bottle and refill it at our free water stations
• Recycle — put recyclables in the recycling bins found on site
• Compost — put food waste and other compost items in the compost containers on site