July activities in and around Ottawa

Of course, it begins with Canada Day, and celebrations will be abundant. Here are just some of the things happening in downtown Ottawa and surrounding areas in July, starting with Canada Day. 

Canada Day 2025

Get out your red and whites and join us in wishing this great country a happy birthday!

National noon ceremony 

July 1

LeBreton Flats Park, 1 Vimy Place

12 pm to 1:15 pm 

Artists including Amanda Marshall, Garou, Thompson Egbo-Egbo, Rafaelle Roy, and Alli Walker.

National evening show

July 1

LeBreton Flats Park, 1 Vimy Place

8 pm to 10 pm 

Colourful musical performances from Summerside, Yellowknife and Vancouver.

Canada Day Concert with the NAC Orchestra

National Arts Centre,Southam Hall, 1 Elgin Street

July 1

2:30 pm. Doors open at 1:30. Free but registration required. Tickets available starting Friday, June 27, 10 am, by phone or in person, or online here.

An afternoon of music spanning featuring works by Ian Cusson, John Estacio, Kati Agócs, Jordan Nobles, and Oscar Peterson’s iconic Hymn to Freedom.

Led by Alexander Shelley and guest conductors Benoit Gauthier and Henry Kennedy, the concert also features trumpeter Karen Donnelly, the Hamilton Children’s Choir, the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, double bassist John Geggie, and jazz pianist James Greer.

Across Ottawa

Barrhaven 

Clarke Field Park, 93 Houlahan St., Nepean

Festivities start on Tuesday, June 24 and continue to Sunday, July 6 

8 am to 10 pm on most days (except Tuesday, July 1 from 7 am to 11 pm).

Beacon Hill  

Loyola Park 956 Loyola Ave., Gloucester

July 1 from 7:30 to 9:30. Fireworks.

(In the event of rain, fireworks will be postponed to Wednesday, July 2 from 7 to 9:30 pm.)

Downtown: ByWard Market 

George Street, York Street, ByWard Street, and William Street

July 1 from 9 am to 11:30 pm. Canada Day celebrations.

(Roads will be closed on York Street from Sussex Drive to Dalhousie Street.)

Greely 

Greely Community Centre, Andy Shields Park, 1448 Meadow Dr., Greely

July 1, noon to 10:30. Canada Day celebrations.

(Partial road closures for set-up and parking restrictions will be in place from Meadow Dr. from Parkway Rd. to Bank St.)

Kanata

Sandwell Green Park, 60 Leacock Dr., Kanata, and associated roadways

July 1, 8 am to 11 am. Otto’s Canada Day Road Race. 

(Roads will be closed on The Parkway between Reaney Ct. / Leacock Dr. and Teron Rd.)

Walter Baker Park (100 Charlie Rogers Pl., Stittsville)

Tuesday, July 1, 8 am to 11 pm. Canada Day in Kanata. 

(Roads will be closed on Charlie Rogers Place from Ron Maslin Way to the Tony Graham Recreation Complex, Kanata.)

Orléans

Ouellette Park, 530 Strasbourg St., Orléans

July 1, 9:30 to 10 pm. Firework display.

(In the event of rain, fireworks will be postponed to Wednesday, July 2 from 9:30 to 10 pm.) 

(The sidewalk bordering the park on Gerry Lalonde Dr. will be closed.)

Petrie Island Park, 795 Trim Rd., Orléans

July 1, 8 am to 11 pm. Canada Day celebrations.

Riverside South

Claudette Cain Park, 660 River Rd. 

July 1, 10 am to 2 pm. Canada Day celebrations.

8 pm to 10 pm: Fireworks 

Stittsville

CARDELREC Recreation Complex, 1500 Shea Road and the Sports fields at Sacred Heart High School, 5870 Abbott Street

July 1, 6 to 11 pm. Canada Day celebrations. 

Stittsville Legion, 1481 Main St.

11 am to 5 pm. Canada Day Promenade

Kemptville 

Riverside Park, 29 Reuben Cres.

July 1

Live Music: 11 am to 3 pm, kids’ music. 

3:30pm to 10 pm, Bands: Canadian  Cowboys, Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall with Jamie McMunn. 

Also including: vendor alley, bouncy castles, inflatable games, food trucks, face painting, balloon guy, Legion breakfast, flag raising and pipers, free pool swim, beer garden

Almonte Celtfest

Gemmil Park, 182 Bridge St

July 4 – 6

Almonte Celtfest is a cultural celebration with music, song, and dance, a three-day, by-donation event. The festival features a wide variety of performances, workshops, street performances, children’s activities, and concerts, and encourages impromptu sessions or ceilidhs.

More information here.

Stewart Park Festival

Photo courtesy Stewart Park Festival

Stewart Park, 41 Mill St, Perth, Ont.

July 18 – 20

Three days of great music, food and vendors.

Free, but Donations are gratefully accepted online or at the entrances to the park. 

After Hours shows, held at the Crystal Palace (31 Basin Lane) on Friday and Saturday evenings, require wristbands for entry and cost $15 per night.

Chamberfest 2025

Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 27

World-renowned artists converge for a dynamic festival that merges tradition with bold, imaginative spirit. 

Buy passes here.

Ottawa Bluesfest

Lebreton Flats, 1 Vimy Place

July 10 – 20

One of the largest music festivals in Canada, known for its diverse lineup that goes beyond just blues to include a wide range of genres. 

Artist lineup here

Get tickets here

All British Car Day

Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan Street

July 12, 10 am to 3 pm

Free

See legendary classic cars from Great Britain, including Rolls Royce, Bentley, MG, Austin-Healey, Triumph, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Sunbeam and Mini.

More information here.

Ottawa Lebanese Festival

Saint Elias Centre, 750 Ridgewood Avenue

July 16 – 20 

4pm to 11pm Wednesday to Friday;

11am to 11pm Saturday and Sunday

Enjoy delicious food, lively entertainment, and cultural heritage.

Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy

1 boulevard du Casino, Gatineau

Grand opening July 30

See spectacular fireworks displays, set to thrilling musical scores, high above the Ottawa River. 

Tickets here.