Best time to visit Ottawa

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Ottawa

Best time of year to visit Ottawa

In terms of beautiful weather and reasonable tourist flow, the best time to visit Ottawa runs from March to May and from September to November. These periods boast a lot to do and see outdoors. Rates are affordable during these months, and that makes a good option for tourists on a tight budget. Spring is known with numerous poutine festivals—Ottawa Poutine Fest and Sparks Street Poutine Fest in particular while fall is so charming with its trees in orange, yellow and red. June through August is a busy season with throngs of tourists and skyrocketing prices. But if you are a daredevil and plan Ottawa for your summer vacation, try not to miss the Changing of the Guard Ceremony on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Winter in Ottawa might be suitable for ice-skaters; however, the time between December and February can be chilly so winding through Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks in a warm car sounds like a plan.

2 THINGS TO DO IN OTTAWA (AUGUST 01 - AUGUST 10)

Casino du Lac‑Leamy Sound of Light Show

Casino du Lac‑Leamy Sound of Light Show

July 31-August 17, 2024 • event

Five amazing pyrotechnic performances over the Ottawa River

Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill

Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill

unconfirmedJuly–August 2024 • event

A unique multimedia performance in a beautiful historical setting

22 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Canadian Tulip Festival

Canadian Tulip Festival

out of rangeMay 10–20, 2024 • event

One of the largest tulip festivals in the world

Great Glebe Garage Sale

Great Glebe Garage Sale

out of rangeMay 27, 2023 • event

Find your hidden treasure among thousands of collectibles and antique items

Canada Day Fireworks

Canada Day Fireworks

out of rangeJuly 1 • event

Canada Day in the capital city is marked by the greatest firework display of the year

Ottawa Ribfest

Ottawa Ribfest

unconfirmedMay–June, 2024 • event

A pure heaven for meat lovers

Winterlude

Winterlude

out of rangeFebruary 2-February 19, 2024 • event

Check out the ice on the largest skating rink in the world along with other fun winter activities

Ottawa Gatineau Auto Show

Ottawa Gatineau Auto Show

on holdpostponed until 2024 • event

The largest auto show in the Canadian capital

Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival

Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival

out of rangeAugust 29–September 2, 2024 • event

Dozens of balloons of all shapes and colors are launched at the amusement park

Northern Lights

Northern Lights

out of rangeOctober–March • event

Southern Ontario has a few good spots to watch aurora borealis

Summer Solstice Indigenous  Festival

Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival

unconfirmedJune 2023 • event

Celebration of Inuit, First Nations and Métis heritage

Ottawa PoutineFest and Potato Palooza

Ottawa PoutineFest and Potato Palooza

out of rangeApril 27–30, 2023 • event

Try endless variations of Canada's national dish

Magic of Lights

Magic of Lights

unconfirmedlate November–early January • event

Wind through the sparkling tunnels of one of Ottawa's best light displays

Changing of the Guard Ceremony

Changing of the Guard Ceremony

out of rangeJune 28–July 25, 2023 • event

A solemn and colorful spectacle at the Parliament Hill

Fireflies

Fireflies

out of rangelate June–early July • nature

The lightning bugs illuminate the summer evenings in the wilds of Southern Ontario

Rideau Canal Skating Season

Rideau Canal Skating Season

out of rangeJanuary–February • activity

Let yourself skate along the largest naturally frozen ice rink in the world

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year

unconfirmedFebruary 10 • event

A colorful festival to brighten up the winter gloom

New Year Celebrations

New Year Celebrations

out of rangelate December  • event

Despite the cold weather, it's a great occasion to go out and enjoy celebration throughout the city

Richmond Fest

Richmond Fest

out of rangeSeptember 19-22, 2024 • event

Do you want to have fun? Read this article and pack your things

Sparks Street PoutineFest

Sparks Street PoutineFest

out of rangeApril 26-28, 2024 • event

Three blocks of the most delicious and unusual varieties of Canada's favorite dish

Almonte Celtfest

Almonte Celtfest

out of rangeJuly 5-7, 2024 • event

The festival that whisks you away on a magical Celtic retreat

Ottawa Comiccon

Ottawa Comiccon

out of rangeSeptember 6-8, 2024 • event

The premier popular culture convention in Ontario

Glowfair Festival

Glowfair Festival

on holdJune 14–15, 2019 • event

Art and block parties like nothing you've seen before

Aero Gatineau-Ottawa

Aero Gatineau-Ottawa

out of rangeSeptember 6-8, 2024 • event

Three days of exciting aerial displays in Canada's capital region

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