Victoria Day Long Weekend in Ottawa

Victoria Day is the unofficial start of summer in Canada. In 2026, it falls on Monday, May 18 — giving most people a three-day weekend. In Ottawa, the holiday overlaps with the tail end of the Canadian Tulip Festival, making it one of the best spring weekends in the city.

Tulip Festival

The Canadian Tulip Festival (May 8–18, 2026) wraps up on Victoria Day itself. Over 300,000 tulips bloom across 26 beds at Commissioners Park along Dow's Lake. Admission to the tulip gardens is free.

Important update for 2026: The Canadian Tulip Festival has confirmed there will be no fireworks or drone show on Victoria Day weekend 2026. The festival hopes to bring the drone show back for its Diamond Jubilee in 2027, contingent on community support through the 50/50 raffle. In 2025, the closing show featured 200 synchronized drones alongside fireworks for the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands — there is no comparable anchor or title sponsor for 2026.

See the full guide: Canadian Tulip Festival →

Fireworks

The Tulip Festival fireworks and drone show are cancelled for 2026. This was the main Victoria Day fireworks event in Ottawa in recent years.

Outdoor Season Opens

Victoria Day weekend marks the start of outdoor season in Ottawa:

• Gatineau Park camping opens May 16, 2026 — just in time for the long weekend. The Philippe Lake sector is fully reopened after modernization, with an upgraded amphitheatre, pavilion, kitchen shelter, and convenience store. Reservations open February 28.
• Rideau Canal navigation opens May 15, 2026. Boats can travel the full 202 km with 24 staffed lock stations.
• Dow's Lake boat rentals — canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, and paddleboats are available from early May.
• NCC Weekend Bikedays — parkways close to cars for cyclists and pedestrians on weekends, typically starting in early-to-mid May. Routes include Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Kichi Zibi Mikan.

Parks and Gardens

• Commissioners Park — tulips at their peak
• Dominion Arboretum — spring bloom in full swing, with lilacs and crabapples
• Gatineau Park — spring hiking with fresh green canopy. Trails like Pink Lake (2.3 km) and King Mountain (1.8 km) are excellent this time of year.

What's Open and Closed

Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in Ontario:

Open: Rideau Centre, Tanger Outlets, ByWard Market shops (at their discretion), all national museums, Beer Store (11 AM–6 PM), restaurants

Closed: All LCBO stores, Bayshore and St. Laurent malls, Ottawa Public Library branches, City Hall and client services

Transit: OC Transpo runs on a Sunday schedule. O-Train Line 1 runs approximately 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Tips

Weather: Average highs around 19–20°C, lows around 7–8°C. Rain is possible — about a 38% chance on any given day. Layers are a good idea, especially for evenings.

Camping: If you're heading to Gatineau Park, book early — Victoria Day weekend fills up fast. Reservations open February 28.

Farmers markets: Some markets launch their outdoor season around Victoria Day. Check the farmers markets guide → for dates.

See also: Spring activities in Ottawa → · Best parks in Ottawa →