This month, the world's largest tulip festival will be held in Ontario. More than 300,000 tulips will bloom along Ottawa's Rideau Canal and are free to enjoy. For 11 days starting May 10th, Ottawa's Park Commissioners welcome everyone to celebrate the beauty of flowers and their historic ties to Canada's capital.
Thanks to the Dutch government, this is your chance to embrace the beauty of hundreds of thousands of bright and colorful tulips, according to Tourism Ottawa. The tradition began in Ottawa in 1945, two years after Her Royal Highness Princess Marguerite was born. The Dutch royal family took refuge in Ottawa during World War II. Two years later, Canadian forces played a key role in the liberation of the Netherlands, and in gratitude, the Dutch government has sent a gift of tulip bulbs to Canada every year since 1945, inspiring the Canadian Tulip Festival.
Canadians now celebrate this annual festival by embracing tulips, learning about their history, shopping for fresh flowers, crafts and more at the Tulip Boutique. On top of all that, you can watch daily outdoor movies at 2 and 7:30 pm and enjoy food trucks from 10 am to 9 pm.
The festival will conclude on May 19 with a 10-minute display of 200 new drones over Lake Dow.

The Canadian Tulip Festival
Time: May 10 to 20, 2024
Location: Ottawa Commissioners Park