Thousands of tourists arriving in Ottawa for Canada Day activities, festivals

The Barrhaven Canada Day midway on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natalie van Rooy/ CTV News Ottawa)

It’s a very busy and energetic weekend in the nation’s capital with thousands of tourists arriving for activities and festivals.

The Canada Day weekend is kicking off with programming right across the city and in the suburbs.

In Barrhaven, the Canada Day event is featuring plenty of rides and a larger midway. The event is free and runs until July 6.

“Our midway is bigger. We got some more rides for the older people and some great new rides for the younger people,” said Darrell Bartraw, the event organizer. “We got a little bit for everybody. Lots of games and lots of rides.”

Downtown in the historic Byward Market, dozens of vendors are set up with items to buy or food to eat, a DJ playing a set and shoppers picking up Canada Day shirts for the big day.

“This is awesome. We’ve got music going over there. There’s people all over the place. The sun is shining. I love it. It’s like Canada Day is back to where it should be post-COVID, rocking in the market,” said Mark Campaigne, an Ottawa resident.

Music from the final weekend of the Ottawa Jazz Festival will soon be filling the air for another night.

“This is my first outing in like three weeks so I’m very grateful that we’re in between clouds,” said Marianne Bournes, an Ottawa resident. “The jazz festival has been with us for so long now and everything down at Lansdowne is awesome.”

The vendors are also ready for the crowds.

“The weather was pretty hot, so I managed to put in some misting fans,” said Vincent Gobuyan, who runs Green Papaya Thai.

Visitors from near and far are spending time in the capital.

“We’re actually doing the Pokemon fest here, walking around Confederation Park and City Hall with my son who is seven,” said Natalie Le Claire, who is visiting from Kingston.

Some are also travelling across the border to take in all the festivities.

“We love, the citizens of Canada, they’re so lovely,” said Robin Rubens, who is visiting with her family from Miami, Florida.

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