Here’s what you need to know for Les Grands Feux fireworks festival in Ottawa-Gatineau

Get ready for les Grands Feux! Julie Moffat tells us about the new activities this year and what else to expect.

Fireworks are set to light up the sky over the Ottawa River for six nights during the 28th edition of Les Grands Feux du Casino-Lac-Leamy.

The international fireworks festival kicks off on Wednesday night with “The Grand Opening,” and shows will be held on six nights until Aug. 16.

“A lot of amazing fireworks,” Julie Moffatt, president and CEO of Les Grands Feux, told CTV Morning Live on Friday.

“A lot of food, local food, to experience on site, a lot of family activities and, also, DJs live right before the fireworks and right after on Saturday nights.”

Fireworks during the international festival are launched from a barge on the Ottawa River against the backdrop of Parliament Hill. The main site for the festival is the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., while the fireworks will be visible from several locations in Ottawa and Gatineau.

“It’s really worth it to come on site because then you really get to feel the experience and the music,” Moffatt said. “There’s a lot of smaller fireworks happening closer to the water, so it’s really worth it to come on site.”

Moffatt says there is a site at the Canadian Museum of History dedicated to families, called “The Magical Forest.”

“The idea is to just create magic for our families.”

Here is what you need to know for Les Grands Feux

Schedule

Here is the schedule for Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy.

July 30: The Grand Opening, called Electro.

“Les Grands Feux are kicking off in style with an explosive performance where fire, sound, and light collide in pure sensory overload,” Les Grands Feux said on its website.

“For the very first time, DJs will perform live during the fireworks with an original electro creation tailored to match every burst in the sky.”

Aug 2: Japan – “A Dream Journey to Japan”

Aug. 6: Australia – “Sparks Across the Sound”

Aug. 9: Mexico – “Bueno Onda”

Aug. 13: Canada – “Reignite: A Symphony in the Sky”

Aug; 16: The Grand Finale – “TV Series”

“This grand spectacle features an original soundtrack created by two Gatineau-based artists, Mathieu Donais and Julien Boivin Provost,” Les Grands Feux said. “A heartfelt tribute to our country, this performance lights up the sky with powerful, delicate, and emotional fireworks.”

The fireworks

The pyromusical show starts at 9:15 p.m. each night.

It’s a 25 minute show of dazzling fireworks and exhilarating music.

Tickets

For tickets to watch Les Grand Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy, visit https://feux.qc.ca/en/home-2025/.

Viewing locations

The main viewing location for Les Grands Feux is at the Canadian Museum of History.

You can also see the fireworks from Major’s Hill Park and Parliament Hill, but you will not be able to hear the music.

Alexandra Bridge

The Alexandra Bridge will be temporarily closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists during Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy.

Public Services and Procurement Canada says the bridge will be closed at the following times during the fireworks on July 30 and Aug. 2, 6, 9, 13 and 16:

• Pedestrians and cyclists: 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Vehicles: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the centre lane between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Road closures

The City of Gatineau says the following roads will be closed between 8:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. each night.

• Laurier Street between Hôtel-de-Ville Street and Sacré-Coeur Boulevard
• Victoria Street Notre-Dame-de-l’Île and Laurier streets
• Papineau Street from Notre-Dame-de-l’Île and Laurier streets
• Élisabeth-Bruyère Street between Notre-Dame-de-l’Île and Laurier streets
• Allumettières Boulevard between Maisonneuve Boulevard and Laurier Street
• Saint-Étienne Street, between Notre-Dame-de-l’Île and Laurier streets
• Verdun Street from Notre-Dame-de-l’Île to Laurier
• Notre-Dame-de-l’Île Street between Élisabeth-Bruyère Street and Allumettières Boulevard