TIME TO CELEBRATE, RAIN OR SHINE
It may be a wet Canada Day celebration, with possible rain and evening thunderstorms threatening the many fireworks shows planned. In better news, Rideau Street is expected to be open following the sinkhole spectacle, and, as always, events are free at the three official sites: Parliament Hill, Major’s Hill Park and the Canadian Museum of History. There will be information booths set up at each of these locations.
TIPS
Roads will be closed around the downtown core, as per the map on this page.
Make use of the free OC Transpo service, including Para Transpo, all day. STO is offering free rides after 10 p.m.
Ride your bike: There will be supervised bike stations for locking up.
A free shuttle bus will run between the Museum of History and Major’s Hill Park, with stops on Laurier Street at Jacques-Cartier Park and on St. Patrick Street between the National Gallery and Major’s Hill Park.
Bring a water bottle to refill at stations, sunblock, a hat (and rain poncho given the forecast) and wear all the red and white you’ve got.
Carry cash: In previous years, debit machine networks have become overwhelmed as thousands of thirsty people descend on the downtown core on July 1. Also, ATMs often run out of money by early evening. Stock up the day before or before heading to The Hill.
Changing of the Guard, 10 a.m., including marching band and military drills by the Governor General’s Foot Guards.
A Carillon concert, 10 to 10:30 a.m., by Dominion Carilloneur Andrea McCrady on the Peace Tower’s 53-bell carillon
The noontime musical show includes air display by Canada’s Snowbirds and CF-18s.
Canadian musicians performing include Coeur de Pirate, new wave rockers Metric, Latin soul man Alex Cuba, indie folk fun from Les Hay Babies, Indian City and Coleman Hell with hosts Kardinal Offishall and Rebecca Makonnen. This show will be broadcast on CBC TV and Radio, and CPAC.
The evening musical show and fireworks, 7:30 to 10 p.m., include the same performers as at noon, but hopefully ends with a pyrotechnic musical performance at 10 p.m., best viewed from Major’s Hill Park, Museum of History lawn and along the Ottawa River.
ON MAJOR’S HILL PARK
Lots of free, family-friendly activities from 9 a.m. including a science carnival courtesy the Canada Science and Technology Museum, slackline balancing, circus tricks and parkour to try, face painting, miniature train to ride, cooking demonstrations and more. Plus, there is entertainment from roving street performers and acrobats, cultural shows including First Nations, the Middle East to Brazil and live music. The evening show begins at 7 p.m., with Shawn Hook, Andie Duquette and DJ Ilon.
AT THE CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Free activities outside and inside (free admission all day) from 9 a.m.
There will be inflatable structures set up for toddlers and up to play on, a giant puppet show, circus acrobatics and more. Also, Hinterland’s Who’s Who is bringing Canadian wildlife to meet and there will be live music suitable for all ages.
OTHER CANADA DAY EVENTS DOWNTOWN
Help form the living flag (9 to 10:30 a.m.) at 700 Sussex Drive. Participants must register in advance at www.downtownrideau.com.
The Voyageur Walking Club is leading a Canada Day Map Walk, offering 50- and 10-kilometre routes through the festivities downtown, from 9 a.m., starting at the Taggart Family Y, 180 Argyle St. Cost: $2.
There’s a pop-up makers market, tie-dye station and BBQ with live music for all ages from noon, and taking it up a notch after 8 p.m. with Luigi Fidelia and DJ Mes on the decks, A Vintage Collection, 31 York St.
MORE MUSIC AND CONCERTS
The Jazz Festival has a full, free show from 2 p.m. to after 7 p.m. at the Marion Dewar Plaza. Just wander over to City Hall after the noon show, to catch the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces (2 p.m.), Riot Police (4 p.m.), Les Poules à Colin (6 p.m.), and the NAC Orchestra (7 p.m.). ottawajazzfestival.ca
The Escapade Festival has an all-Canadian, electronic music lineup outdoors in the By Ward Market, with Grandtheft, Thugli, Ariyan, Draskil and even Mika Zibanejad of the Ottawa Senators on the decks from 6 p.m. to midnight, parking lot, 95 York St. Tickets: $17.17 in advance, www.escapademf.com)
Possible Worlds has local and guest DJs spinning from noon to 6 p.m. in Chinatown, with food and art also close to hand, 708G Somerset St. W.
Canada Day Clarence Street Dance party, outdoors, with DJ Breakthru, from 7 p.m. to late, starting at Lowertown Brewery, 73 York St.
We the North dance party has an all-Canadian soundtrack — from Bieber to Drake, Sloan and A Tribe Called Red — with DJs Jimmy C and Adam Saikaley at Babylon, 317 Bank St. Door: $5, beginning after the fireworks.
Can-Con Canada Day Bash to benefit CHEO has dozens of musicians playing favourite Canadian hits, 10 p.m. at House of Targ, They’re also hosting a pickled egg eating contest, encouraging all to beat the world record for eating three the fastest. Tickets: PWYC, money will go to donate a classic arcade machine to CHEO.
It’s Canada Day on Another Planet with DJ Emmett at Zaphod’s starting early at 5 p.m. No cover. zaphods.ca
Le Party du Bas-Canada at the Minotaure with free entry, and a chance to try their first craft beer, 9 p.m., 3 Kent St. Gatineau.
Canada Day with Pleasure Craft, a mix of late-’70s to early ’80s softrock gold, 9:30 p.m., The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. Tickets: $15. therainbow.ca
Higher Level hip-hop/soca Canada Day, with DJs Select, Magnificent, hosted by Selekta Shellz, 11 p.m., City At Night, 222 Slater St. $10 cover.
Red & White Canada Day Party has a red and white dress code at the Multi Social Room hip hop/ Top 40/dancehall event, 10 p.m., 174 Rideau St. Cover: $10, ($7 for the first 149 in the door).
MUSEUMS
There is free admission all day at the following museums (not including special exhibitions) offering festive activities, often inside out of the heat and/or rain:
Canadian Museum of History (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Canadian Aviation and Space Museum (9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.):
Bytown Museum (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.),
National Gallery of Canada (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), includes chance to make a “Happy Birthday Canada” megaphone.
Canadian Museum of Nature (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) There will be an outdoor BBQ from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Canadian War Museum (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.), launching a special display of photographs that commemorates the 100th anniversaries of the battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel, that devastated Newfoundland and Labrador regiments. A wreath-laying ceremony by Veterans Affairs Canada will begin at 10 a.m. outside the museum at 1 Vimy Pl. warmuseum.ca
FIREWORKS OUTSIDE THE CORE
Canada Day in Kanata, from 9 a.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m., Walter Baker Park. Admission: free. www.canadadayinkanata.com
The Mattamy Homes Canada Day in Barrhaven, from 11 a.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m., Clarke Fields Park. Admission: Free. www. canadadaybarrhaven.ca
Almonte’s Canada Day, from 8 a.m. with fireworks at dusk, Gemmill Park. Admission: Free.
Arnprior’s annual Canada Day Car Show, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but fireworks at dusk, Hydro Park, Arnprior. Admission: $10 donation to the Arnprior Hospital.
Carleton Place Canada Day celebration, noon to 10 p.m., with fireworks at 9:45 p.m., Riverside Park, Carleton Place. Admission: Free.
Canada Day in Greely, from 5 to 9 p.m., with fireworks at 10 p.m., Greely Community Centre.
Canada Day in Kemptville, from 10:30 a.m., with fireworks at 10 p.m., Riverside Park. Admission: Free.
Canada Day in Orléans, from 11 a.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m., Mer Bleue, 3686 Navan Rd. Admission: Free.
Renfrew’s Canada Day, from 4:45 p.m. ending with fireworks at 10 p.m., Ma-te-Way Park, Admission: free.
The Osgoode Village Canada Day, from 1 p.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m., at Nixon and Main streets.
Fireworks in Perth at Conlon Farm, 6 Conlon Dr. at 10 p.m.
Russell’s Canada Day, from 8:30 a.m. with fireworks at dusk, Russell Arena ball diamond, 1084 Concession St. Admission: Free.