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.

1 THING TO DO IN OTTAWA (AUGUST 06 - AUGUST 15)

Casino du Lac‑Leamy Sound of Light Show

Casino du Lac‑Leamy Sound of Light Show

August 2–19, 2023 • event

Five amazing pyrotechnic performances over the Ottawa River

22 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Canadian Tulip Festival

Canadian Tulip Festival

out of rangeMay 12–22, 2023 • 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

Winterlude

Winterlude

out of rangeFebruary 3–20, 2023 • event

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

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

out of rangeMay 31–June 4, 2023 • event

A pure heaven for meat lovers

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 31–September 4, 2023 • 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

Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill

Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill

out of rangeJuly 7–August 4, 2023 • event

A unique multimedia performance in a beautiful historical setting

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

out of rangeNovember 18, 2022–January 7, 2023 • event

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

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

New Year Celebrations

New Year Celebrations

out of rangelate December 2022 • event

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

Changing of the Guard Ceremony

Changing of the Guard Ceremony

unconfirmedSummer 2023 • event

A solemn and colorful spectacle at the Parliament Hill

Lunar New Year Celebration

Lunar New Year Celebration

out of rangeJanuary 22, 2023 • event

A colorful festival to brighten up the winter gloom

Sparks Street PoutineFest

Sparks Street PoutineFest

out of rangeOctober 13–16, 2022 • event

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

Richmond Fest

Richmond Fest

out of rangeSeptember 26–October 1, 2023 • event

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

Ottawa Comiccon

Ottawa Comiccon

out of rangeSeptember 8–10, 2023 • 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 15–17, 2023 • event

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

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