Join the Party on Parliament Hill

Come celebrate Canada’s 144 birthday in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who will be visiting Ottawa on the first stop of their Royal Tour of Canada. In a previous article we highlighted some suggested activities for the royal couple to experience on their Ottawa visit. While their official itinerary is a closely guarded secret, we can update you on confirmed activities that hundreds of thousands of people will partake in this Canada Day. The stages on Parliament Hill are already being set up for this spectacular July 1^st celebration.

Morning
9:00am – 11:00am

In the morning, at 9:00am, take in a truly unique musical experience; hear the 53-bell Peace Tower carillon concert. At 9:30am, witness the traditional flag-raising ceremony, and Changing the Guard, a stirring military drill, follows at 10:00am.

Noon Show
12:00pm – 1:30pm

The Noon Show will include the traditional and exciting fly-past of CF-18 fighter jets and the Snowbirds Demonstration Team. Come join in the fun with a host of great Canadian talent:

• Great Big Sea (Newfoundland and Labrador) — Folk / rock
• Pierre Lapointe (Quebec) — Pop
• Florence K (Quebec) — Salsa / bossa nova
• Sam Roberts (Quebec) — Pop / rock
• Maria Aragon (Manitoba) — Pop
• Corb Lund  (Alberta) — Country
• Dan Mangan (British Columbia) — Indie rock
• Elisapie Isaac (Nunavut) — Pop
• Jenn Grant (Prince Edward Island) — Folk
• Au tour de la Bolduc with Florence K (Quebec), Oumou Soumaré (New Brunswick), and Frannie and Fab of Random Recipe (Quebec) — Traditional
• Les 7 doigts de la main (Quebec) — Circus
• Dehli 2 Dublin (British Columbia) — World
• Kumpa’nia (Quebec) — Drum troupe
• Quartuor Orphée (Quebec) — String quartet
• Soul Influence (Ontario ) — A cappella / world
• Zogma (Quebec) — Dance troupe

Afternoon Pipes and Drums on the Lawns

2:30pm and 3:30pm, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa
3:00pm and 4:00pm, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada

Evening Show
7:00pm – 10:00pm

Rebecca Makonnen and Jian Ghomeshi will be the MCs of this big evening show, with performances by Canadian artists:

• Great Big Sea (Newfoundland and Labrador) — Folk / rock
• Pierre Lapointe (Quebec) — Pop
• Florence K (Quebec) — Salsa / bossa nova
• Sam Roberts (Quebec) — Pop / rock
• Maria Aragon (Manitoba) — Pop
• Corb Lund  (Alberta) — Country
• Dan Mangan (British Columbia) — Indie rock
• Elisapie Isaac (Nunavut) — Pop
• Jenn Grant (Prince Edward Island) — Folk
• Au tour de la Bolduc with Florence K (Quebec), Oumou Soumaré (New Brunswick), and Frannie and Fab of Random Recipe (Quebec) — Traditional
• Les 7 doigts de la main (Quebec) — Circus
•  Dehli 2 Dublin (British Columbia) — World
• Kumpa’nia (Quebec) — Drum troupe
• Quartuor Orphée (Quebec) — String quartet
• Soul Influence (Ontario ) — A cappella / world
• Zogma (Quebec) — Dance troupe

Fireworks
10:00pm (approx.) at Jacques-Cartier Park (Gatineau)

The best views of this thunderous pyrotechnics show are from Jacques-Cartier Park and the Canadian Museum of Civilization (both in Gatineau), as well as Major’s Hill Park (in Ottawa) and along the Ottawa River.

What Else Is Happening On Canada Day?

Check out the full line up of Canada Day events at venues across the region.

• Majors Hill Park
• Jacques Cartier Park
• Confederation Park
• In and Around Ottawa-Gatineau