Celebrate Spring with a Visit to the Canadian Tulip Festival

After a long, cold Canadian winter, the Canadian Tulip Festival held annually for 10 days in May in Ottawa is a fabulous way to kick off spring!

The popular Canadian festival traces its roots to a historical gift from the Netherlands thanking Canada for providing a safe haven to the Dutch Royal Family during World War II and continues as a symbol of the special friendship between the two countries.

The Canadian Tulip Festival was held May 9-19, 2025

Bright yellow tulips in the foreground with bright pink and purple in the background during the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa. — Tulip display during the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa

I had previously travelled to Ottawa for the Tulip Festival with my younger daughter on the May long weekend thirteen years ago but our visit was a bit disappointing as the tulips had bloomed early that year and were nearly finished when we arrived. I recently had the opportunity for a do-over on a 4 night getaway to Ottawa with my husband, however, and the blooms were spectacular – more beautiful than I ever could have imagined!

Close up of red and yellow tulips with Ottawa's historic train station in the background.

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History of the Canadian Tulip Festival

During World War II, Canada provided refuge to Dutch Princess Juliana and her two young daughters in the nation’s capital and, when a third daughter was about to be born on Canadian soil, a room at the Ottawa Civic Hospital was declared to be part of the Netherlands so that Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet could be born a Dutch citizen.

After the war had ended, Princess Juliana and the people of the Netherlands sent Canada a gift in perpetuity of 100,000 tulip bulbs in gratitude for the safe haven that had been provided to the princess and her family as well as Canada’s role in liberating the Netherlands.

History of the Canadian Tulip Festival on story board display with photos of tulips. — A Gift of Tulips – Canadian Tulip Festival

The tulips were so popular in Ottawa that the Board of Trade decided in 1953 (at the suggestion of world renowned photographer Malak Karsh) to establish a tulip festival to occur annually around the time that the tulips bloomed. The festival continued to expand over the years and is now the largest public tulip display in the world showcasing over one million tulips in Canada’s Capital Region.

Colourful bed of red, white, yellow and pink tulips with group of people in the background in Commissioner's Park, Ottawa, Canada. — Tulip display in Commissioner’s Park, Ottawa

The Canadian Tulip Festival Today

Today over one million tulips (100 varieties in 120 beds across 30 sites including a mix of early-, mid- and late-season varieties) in Ottawa and Gatineau are planted and cared for by the National Capital Commission as part of the 10 day free event organized by the Canadian Tulip Legacy ( a not-for-profit registered charity that commemorates the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers in the liberation of the Netherlands while also celebrating the birth of the Dutch princess on Canadian soil and the gift of tulips from the Dutch to all Canadians).

The festival kicks off with an opening ceremony where World War II veterans are honoured and, over the course of the festival, there is entertainment, events and activities inluding fireworks and a scenic Flower Fun Run – primarily held at Commissioner’s Park.

Tulip viewing is by and large a self-guided activity, however, there are also guided tours available for a fee ($20 per person in 2025) at Commissioner’s Park which include highlights such as the HMCS Carleton Centennial Bed, the Queen Juliana Gift Bed, and the iconic Man with Two Hats statue. There’s also a free 45 minute QR code-activated self-guided tour of Commissioner’s Park available but we chose to just wander and enjoy the spectacular blooms.

Be sure to check the Canadian Tulip Festival website for programming and additional information including a map of tulip viewing locations and a Bloom-o-meter that will help you plan your visit.

We visited during the week prior to the May long weekend arriving on Monday and leaving on Friday. Although our visit was weekday, the weather was gorgeous and it was still quite busy particularly at Commissioner’s Park where large numbers of people were out to see the beautiful blooms. I can only imagine what the crowds would be like on the weekend!

Dark purple bed of tulips and groups of people taking photos at Commissioner's Park, Ottawa during the Canadian Tulip Festival. — So many beautiful tulips!!

Where to See Tulips

Wherever you go while visiting Ottawa during the festival, you will see tulips but these are my favourite locations for viewing beds of tulips and taking photos.

Close up view of purple, white and pink tulips - Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa, Canada.

Parliament Hill

Even with the ongoing construction on Parliament Hill, this is still one of the best places to get picturesque photos of the beautiful tulips with the historic Parliament buildings and monuments as a backdrop as well as the National War Memorial and the Fairmont Château Laurier.

Red, yellow, orange, pink and white tulips in front of National War Memorial with Chateau Laurier in background. — Tulips by National War Memorial

Red and yellow, pink and white tulips with Parliament buildings in background.

Bed of red and yellow tulips with Parliament Hill buildings in background - Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa. — Parliament Hill

Red and yellow tulips in front of National War Memorial at dusk with Chateau Laurier in background. — National War Memorial at dusk

Byward Market Photo Op

While exploring the historic Byward Market, be sure to stop by the Ottawa sign (in the York Street plaza) for the photo op while it is adorned with tulip and butterfly decorations. Be prepared to wait awhile as it can be a popular spot!

Colourful tulips and butterflies adorning the white letters of the Ottawa sign in Byward Market during the Canadian Tulip Festival. — The Ottawa sign during the Canadian Tulip Festival

Major’s Hill Park

One of the prettiest spots for tulip viewing and photos is in Major’s Hill Park near Parliament Hill. Located at the corner of Sussex Drive and Mackenzie Avenue, there are several beautiful beds of tulips here which can be photographed with Parliament Hill, Chateau Laurier and the National Art Gallery as backdrops.

Statue of Colonel By in Major's Hill Park surrounded by bed of red tulips and Parliament in background. Man with camera kneels taking photo and woman in white dress, sweater and hat watches. — Tulips in Major’s Hill Park

Bed of red tulips in Major's Hill Park, people sitting on blankets on grass and Chateau Laurier in background. — Major’s Hill Park, Ottawa

Major's Hill Park during the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Canada. — Major’s Hill Park

Pink and yellow tulips with National Gallery in background - Major's Hill Park, Ottawa. — National Gallery during the Canadian Tulip Festival

Commissioner’s Park

The main site for the Canadian Tulip Festival is Commissioner’s Park which is located at the corner of Preston Street and Queen Elizabeth Driveway just a short drive from Parliament Hill (approximately 6.5 km). The site is accessible by transit and cycling trails, however, there’s no parking on-site. We parked at Carleton University and walked 20 minutes or so to get to Commissioner’s Park. The Canadian Tulip Festival website has additional information about parking locations.

Commissioner’s Park and Dow’s Lake is a park operated by the National Capital Commission known for its winding pathways, mature trees and waterfront views as well as the stunning beds of tulips blooming during the spring Tulip Festival. This is the main site for the Festival with 30 beds of showstopping tulip displays including the Queen Juliana Gift Bed which features the bulbs donated from the Netherlands.

If you work up an appetite viewing all the tulips then you’ll want to check out the many food truck vendors who offer a variety of delicious options to satisfy your cravings including BeaverTails, Chai Guys, Maverick’s Donut Company and more. It was unseasonably warm during our visit so lemonade to fend off dehydration was a must! There’s also a Play Zone in the park for families with young kids.

One of the highlights of the Festival is the Tulip Market where visitors can purchase tulip bulbs, cut tulips and Canadian Tulip Festival official merchandise such as tote bags and t-shirts. There are also a handful of local vendors offering unique handcrafted tulip-themed items, including woodwork, metalwork, candles, and knitted goods.

Bed of pink, red and white tulips in front of hedges and red brick house with white shutters in background. — Tulips blooming in Commissioner’s Park

Bed of pink tulips with dark burgundy and yellow in background at Commissioner's Park. — So many beautiful tulips!!

Pale pink, yellow and orange tulips bloosming in front of three display boards about World War II. — Commissioner’s Park bed of tulips with WWII display

Food trucks and eating area set up in Commissioner's Park during the Canadian Tulip Festival. — Food vendors at Commissioner’s Park

Kiosk at Commissioner's Park with potted tulips and Canadian Tulip Festival branded t-shirts and tote bags for sale. — Tulips and souvenirs for sale at Commissioner’s Park

Where To Stay in Ottawa

My husband and I stayed at The Metcalfe Hotel this trip and it’s my new favourite hotel in Ottawa! The unique boutique hotel which was once a YMCA is centrally located a couple of blocks from Parliament Hill and I loved the ambiance of the main level with the bookshelves and lounging area, the sun-filled five-story glass atrium and the European-style restaurant/café.

We booked an Executive King on the 6th floor with city view and were able to take advantage of a special rate available during the Tulip Festival. Our spacious room had hardwood flooring and a chic bathroom with a large two-person shower and was very comfortable for our 4 night stay. We also enjoyed a delicious dinner at the hotel’s French bistro Coquette.

THE METCALFE HOTEL ON BOOKING.COM

On prior trips to Ottawa we have also enjoyed stays at the Lord Elgin, Chateau Laurier, and the Westin.