Preparations underway for Canada Day in Ottawa

A member of the Skyhawks Parachute Team passes over people attending the Canada Day noon hour show at LeBreton Flats, during a flypast celebrating the RCAF centennial, in Ottawa, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)

Canada Day in the capital is shaping up to be a full day of music, celebration and fireworks, with some of the country’s biggest names taking the stage.

The official Canada Day noon and evening shows will be held at LeBreton Flats Park. The lineup for the 8 p.m. show includes some of Canada’s best-known performers:

• Sarah McLachlan
• Tom Cochrane
• Amanda Marshall
• Randy Bachman
• Talk
• Josh Ross

Admission to LeBreton Flats is free for Canada Day.

Earlier in the afternoon, the National Arts Centre Orchestra will perform a free Canada Day concert at 2:30 p.m. at the NAC’s Southam Hall.

• Here is the lineup for Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa

OC Transpo is providing free service on Canada Day across all buses, the O-Train and Para Transpo.  This Canada Day, the O-Train Pimisi Station will be open for Canada Day revellers to access LeBreton Flats.

If you’re heading downtown, plan for road closures around the ByWard Market. York Street between Sussex Drive and Dalhousie Street will be closed from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. for Canada Day festivities.

Road closures are expected around LeBreton Flats and Parliament Hill. The City of Ottawa recommends using transit and checking its real-time traffic map.

“We encourage all attendees to utilize the wayfinding maps, which will be available on our website by midweek. By doing so, we aim to facilitate a seamless navigation and improve the overall enjoyment of Canada Day,” Canadian Heritage said.

The day wraps up with the Tim Hortons Canada Day Fireworks, lighting up the sky over Ottawa-Gatineau from 10 to 10:15 p.m.

The show will launch near LeBreton Flats Park, with the best views from the park itself or nearby streets, which will be closed to traffic during the display.

Accessing LeBreton Flats

Canadian Heritage says visitors to LeBreton Flats can access the festivities on Wellington Street and Booth Street.

Pimisi Station will be open for people using the O-Train to head to Canada Day festivities at LeBreton Flats.

Access to LeBreton Flats will be closed at 9:30 p.m. ahead of the fireworks.