Summary
One would think that the world’s largest tulip festival would be in the Netherlands; however, it is in fact held in Ottawa, Canada. The Canadian Tulip Festival attracts people from around the world to view the more than one million tulips on display throughout the city for two weeks each May. Ottawa is adorned with blooming marvels decorating its national historic sites, museums, parliament buildings, and parks.
About the Canadian Tulip Festival
How did Canada become home to the world’s largest tulip festival? The Canadian Tulip Festival originated during World War II after the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Princess Juliana of the Dutch royal family fled to Canada during that time and resided in Ottawa until the end of the war.
During her stay in Canada, she gave birth to Princess Margriet on Canadian soil. To ensure that Princess Margriet could be recognized as a legitimate royal, the Canadian government temporarily declared her Ottawa hospital room to be part of Dutch soil. They even placed some earth from Holland under the hospital bed so that Princess Margriet could be born on her ancestral soil.
Princess Margriet at the Canadian Tulip Festival
The royal family stayed in Canada until the war concluded in 1945. Princess Juliana never forgot Canada’s kindness, and on her return to the Netherlands, she sent a royal gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs to the Canadian people. The Royal House of the Netherlands has been sending Canada 20,000 tulip bulbs each year since then. The Tulip Legacy celebrates the enduring friendship between the two nations.
In 2022, Princess Margriet visited Ottawa for the Canadian Tulip Festival to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation during the Second World War. We were honored to have the opportunity to see her in person.
How to Enjoy the Canadian Tulip Festival
The Canadian Tulip Festival will take place in Ottawa from May 10 – 20, 2024, at Commissioners Park and other areas around the city. For more information, visit the Canadian Tulip Festival website.
Traveling to Ottawa during the tulip festival allows visitors to experience the breathtaking display of tulips. The vibrant flowers are showcased in so many locations that enjoying the tulip beds can easily fill an entire weekend. The National Capital Commission, Canada’s official gardener, excels each year in decorating the city with colorful blooms, found in various parts of town.
Best Places to Photograph Tulips at the Canadian Tulip Festival
With over 1 million tulips on display during the Canadian Tulip Festival, there are numerous locations to capture stunning photos of the festival in Ottawa. We explored various spots to help you maximize your experience in this vibrant city.
1. Commissioners Park
Commissioners Park is the official venue for the Canadian Tulip Festival, showcasing vibrant tulips in bloom. Flower beds are meticulously arranged along the waterfront at Dow’s Lake, meandering through parks shaded by trees. Take the opportunity to look up and frame your tulips with a tree backdrop.
Visitors will find food trucks, interactive displays, and films throughout the event that highlight the history of the Canadian Tulip Festival, Canada’s connection with the Netherlands, and the Second World War. Be sure to visit Commissioners Park in the evening for a different atmosphere.
Where is Commissioners Park?
Commissioners Park is situated at Dows Lake, at the intersection of Queen Elizabeth Drive and Carling Avenue, approximately 5km (3.1 miles) from downtown Ottawa. The park is conveniently accessible by car, bus, or bicycle, with various parking options available nearby. Bicycling is an excellent way to navigate during the Canadian Tulip Festival, with a scenic bike path along the Rideau Canal connecting downtown to Commissioners Park.
2. Major’s Hill Park
Major’s Hill Park stands as a remarkable location in downtown Ottawa to experience the tulips at the Canadian Tulip Festival. Nestled between the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and the National Gallery of Canada, there are tulip beds ideal for capturing stunning photographs with these iconic Ottawa landmarks in the background.
Furthermore, you can frame Ottawa’s Notre Dame Cathedral with tulips, creating endless photographic possibilities.
A stroll along Mackenzie Avenue offers Tulip beds weaving through the park, allowing you to capture classic shots of the National Gallery, Notre Dame Cathedral, or the Fairmont Chateau Laurier surrounded by blossoms. Many use this picturesque park for fashion photo shoots, as tulip beds abound throughout the area.
3. Canadian Museum of History
While crowds can be significant during the Canadian Tulip Festival, making your way across the Ottawa River to Gatineau and visiting the Canadian Museum of History rewards you with one of the best views, free from the hustle and bustle. Head down to the Voyageurs Pathway overlooking the Ottawa River and skyline, where you’ll discover a bed of tulips waiting to be photographed with the Parliament buildings in the backdrop.
4. Alexandra Bridge
To reach the Canadian Museum of History, consider taking an Uber; however, Ubers do not operate in Gatineau, so you must hail a taxi for your return trip. Walking across the Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge, connecting Ontario and Quebec, offers beautiful views of both cities.
An alternative is to grab a water taxi from the Parliament Buildings to the Canadian Museum of History.
5. National War Memorial
The National War Memorial is perpetually open and free to enter. The Cenotaph, located at the intersection of Elgin and Wellington Streets, features tulips blooming in the larger plant stands around the memorial during the Canadian Tulip Festival. This area serves as a beautiful setting to pay your respects to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and to all who served Canada, sacrificing their lives for freedom.
6. Parliament Buildings
Another stunning location to see Ottawa landmarks adorned with tulips is near the Parliament Buildings. There are beds of tulips arranged on the grounds of Parliament Hill, allowing you to capture picture-perfect shots of the nation’s capital buildings in full bloom.
7. Wellington Street
Another excellent spot for photographing Parliament is from Wellington Street, where flower pots line the road. This picturesque scene offers a wonderful opportunity to photograph the long row of flowers in large rectangular planters.
Furthermore, you can frame tulips in front of the Parliament Buildings, capturing views in two directions towards the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
8. Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal winds through Ottawa, presenting numerous tulips along its 7.8 kilometers (3.6 miles) length. Even if capturing tulip photographs isn’t your goal, strolling or cycling along this UNESCO World Heritage Site, an engineering marvel, is a must. It beautifully traverses Ottawa to Dow’s Lake.
9. ByWard Market
When visiting Ottawa, you will likely stop by ByWard Market. This vibrant area features the iconic Ottawa Sign, along with pots of tulips scattered around the market. Utilize creative framing to capture interesting photographs of tulips alongside the market’s lively atmosphere.
Dining in ByWard Market is also highly recommended; consider the Courtyard Restaurant area with several outdoor dining options. We enjoyed a meal at Starling Restaurant on York Street, known for its fine Italian cuisine.
10. Green Corners Farms
If you’re eager to explore outside the city during the Tulip Festival, a visit to Green Corners Farms is essential. Here, you can even pick your own tulips, starting at just $17. The farm offers stunning, Instagram-worthy captures of tulips arranged in perfect colorful rows. See their website for more details.
11. Pick Your Own Tulips at Green Corners Farms
Green Corners Farm serves as the official floral supplier for the Canadian Tulip Festival, allowing visitors to explore a variety of flowers in bloom throughout the summer, including popular sunflower fields.
12. Guided Tours at Commissioners Park
For just $10 per person, you can join the Tulip Legacy Walking Tour at Commissioners Park. This guided tour leads you through the tulip beds starting at the Man with Two Hats, providing insights about the Canadian Tulip Festival and the royal family. Feel free to ask your guide any questions.
Tickets can be obtained at the Dow’s Lake Pavilion parking lot, where a booth for tours and information is set up.
Numerous events occur at Commissioners Park during the tulip festival, prompting visitors to dedicate an afternoon to exploring. Beyond tulip displays, enjoy live music, a variety of food trucks, and multimedia presentations.
13. Black Light Boardwalk
This year at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa features the Black Light Boardwalk, held after dark at Commissioners Park. As dusk falls, black lights illuminate various displays along the boardwalk at the Dow’s Lake Pavilion. Stroll along the path to enjoy beautifully lit gardens and displays.
The waterfront area presents a great ambiance, with bars and eateries at the pavilion. Additionally, consider dining in Little Italy, a vibrant area of Ottawa renowned for its excellent Italian dining. A favorite spot for lunch is Farinella Pizza, where you can order a slice to enjoy on the patio, followed by authentic Italian gelato.
14. Movies and Tulips
At Commissioners Park, an interactive display in partnership with the National Film Board showcases films and newsreels from World War II alongside beautiful tulip displays from the Netherlands and Canada. Be sure to stop here to unwind in the shade; food trucks nearby offer quick snacks and cold drinks.
15. Garden Promenade Tour
The Canadian Tulip Festival draws celebrities and diplomats alike. Among them, we encountered Jeopardy Champion Amy Schneider as she visited Ottawa for the festival. There are countless attractions in Ottawa, warranting more than just a weekend trip to the city.
If you yearn for more tulips, follow the Garden Promenade. Download this self-guided tour to explore Ottawa’s public gardens, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian War Museum—two favorites of ours that offer wonderful experiences.
Take Home Memories from the Tulip Boutique
Remember to visit the Tulip Boutique for souvenirs from the Canadian Tulip Festival. This boutique features a variety of tulip-themed merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, scarves, jewelry, and more. The Tulip Boutique is typically situated within the festival grounds at Commissioners Park and operates throughout the festival’s duration.
Map of Canadian Tulip Festival Stops
Canadian Tulip Legacy
The Canadian Tulip Festival operates under the Canadian Tulip Legacy, a charity that honors the Canadian soldiers who liberated the Netherlands. This legacy has personal significance for me as my grandfather was part of that liberation. It also celebrates Princess Margriet’s birth on Canadian soil, alongside the historic royal gift from the Netherlands to Canada.
The Canadian Tulip Legacy is a living narrative, continuing to inspire friendship and diplomacy between Canada and the Netherlands. The Canadian Tulip Festival serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the Second World War and the enduring spirit of peace and international camaraderie that unites our two nations.
Where to Stay During the Canadian Tulip Festival
Having stayed at nearly every major hotel in Ottawa, you cannot go wrong with staples like the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Westin, or Lord Elgin. For this year’s festival, we chose to stay at reStays overlooking Sparks Street.
reStays is an outstanding apartment-style boutique hotel offering unparalleled views of Parliament Hill. Strategically located, it’s just a short walk from the Parliament buildings and overlooks Sparks Street, a pedestrian-only area.
While staying at reStays, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the city, within walking distance of Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, Sparks Street, and Byward Market. Guests can book the movie theatre at no charge for movie nights, and enjoy the lounge on the 12th floor with a breathtaking view of Parliament. A gym with saunas adds to the amenities.
Each room features a complete kitchen, beneficial for families looking to save money, and laundry facilities, ideal for long-term stays. For reservations and availability, visit the reStays website.
How to Get Around During the Canadian Tulip Festival
Trolley – The Tulip Festival Shuttle, costing $10 one way, can be reserved in advance online. Shuttle stops include The Lord Elgin Hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, The National Art Gallery of Canada, the Westin Ottawa, and the Canadian Tulip Festival at Commissioners Park, Dow’s Lake Pavilion.
Escape Bicycle Tours – Escape Bicycle Tours offers fantastic tours around Ottawa, along with bicycle and e-bike rentals. Ottawa is incredibly bike-friendly, making navigation easy with dedicated bike lanes along the Rideau Canal—a highly recommendable way to explore the city. For details, visit them at their location on Sparks Street. More information here.
Uber – Uber and Lyft service Ottawa and offer more reasonable fares compared to taxis; for example, our taxi fare from the airport was $12 higher than our Uber ride back.
Hop on Hop off Bus Tour – Ottawa provides hop on hop off bus tours, an excellent means to explore Ottawa and Gatineau. Operated by Grayline Ottawa, you can find pricing and more information on their website.
Quick Tips for Photographing Tulips
Try different times of day – We found early morning to be the best time to avoid harsh sunlight, making clouds create a softer light. Early mornings provide tulips with depth from dew drops while generally experiencing less wind and crowds, allowing for cleaner shots without distractions.
Look for different angles – Get close and explore various angles. Consider looking up or lying down beneath the flowers. Sitting on the grass and searching for pockets of light where sun rays hit the tulips can enhance your compositions.
Use a Long Lens – A long lens is perfect for isolating tulips while excluding people from shots. This technique creates a beautiful, shallow depth of field, adding a new dynamic to your photography.
Embrace bad weather – Tulips often appear more photogenic when the sun is obscured. Cloudy days eliminate harsh shadows and enhance color vibrancy, and rain-dropped tulips can create striking images.
Go early in the morning to avoid crowds
The Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa runs until May 20, 2024. Even if you are not in Ottawa for the festival, the National Capital Commission maintains stunning gardens for visitors to enjoy throughout the spring, summer, and fall, as Canada’s official Gardiner.
For more information on visiting Ottawa, refer to the Ottawa Tourism Website for details on attractions and events. Additionally, you can find more information regarding the Canadian Tulip Festival on their website here.
The Canadian Tulip Legacy symbolizes friendship and international diplomacy. Following the Dutch royal family’s gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada, the tulips have been blooming in Ottawa ever since. Today, the Canadian Tulip Festival stands as the world’s largest tulip festival, and we highly endorse visiting during this beautiful time. Ottawa transforms into a vibrant canvas of colors, alive with energy and excitement.
