Celebrate Spring at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa

Each spring, Ottawa comes alive with colour as hundreds of thousands of tulips bloom across the city, transforming parks and waterways into breathtaking displays of pinks, purples, reds and yellows. At the heart of this floral celebration is the Canadian Tulip Festival, one of the largest and most beloved spring events in North America.

The 2026 Canadian Tulip Festival is scheduled for May 8 to May 18, 2026 at Commissioners Park along Dow’s Lake in Ottawa. It’s typically an 11‑day celebration in early to mid‑May when tulips are at their peak bloom.

You’ll find lots of activities,from tulip walks and guided tours to light shows and markets, and most of the tulip displays are free for everyone to enjoy. For full details, schedules and planning tips, visit the official festival website: https://tulipfestival.ca/

Why Celebrate Tulips in Ottawa?

The festival isn’t just beautiful, it’s deeply meaningful. Its origins stretch back to World War II when the Dutch royal family took refuge in Ottawa. During that time, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands gave birth here, and Canada’s support meant a great deal. After the war, as a gesture of gratitude for Canada’s role in liberating the Netherlands and for sheltering the royal family, the Dutch government sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa.

That gift didn’t stop after the war: the Dutch still send tens of thousands of bulbs every year. This tradition, known as the Tulip Legacy, underscores the lasting friendship between Canada and the Netherlands, and it’s the reason Ottawa now has millions of tulips blooming each May.

The festival grew from that simple gift into a major annual celebration that attracts visitors from around the world, not just for the flowers, but also for the history, community spirit and springtime joy they represent.