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Your guide to Canada Day 2015 in Ottawa
Anaïs Voski • Ottawa Citizen
Canada Day fireworks on Parliament Hill. Photo by Mike Carroccetto /Ottawa Citizen
There's a lot of celebration planned for Canada Day 2015, rain or shine. Here's what's happening.
Your guide to Canada Day 2015 in Ottawa Back to video
9 a.m. Flag-raising ceremony
9:30 a.m. Changing the Guard
10 a.m. Carillon concert
12 p.m. Noon show
Featuring speeches from dignitaries, a flypast by Vintage Wings, Canada's Snowbirds, and CF-18s.
Entertainment by Magic!, Kiesza, Marc Dupré, Gord Bamford, Jonas and the Massive Attraction, Francesco Yates, Andee, The Jerry Cans, The Bishop Grandin Marching Ghosts, and Cassidy Mann, who will sing the Royal Anthem and the National Anthem.
2-5 p.m. Swing dancing (on East Lawn), A Flock of Flyers (West Lawn), and the Ottawa Stilt Union Colour Guard Clowns celebration (both lawns).
7:30 p.m. Evening show: Entertainment by Kiesza, Karim Ouellet, Magic!, Marc Dupré, Gord Bamford, Jonas and the Massive Attraction, Francesco Yates, and Cassidy Mann.
10 p.m. Fireworks
Major's Hill Park
The Franklin Expedition: HMS Erebus Revealed is an exhibit of one of Sir John Franklin's expedition vessels used in search of a Northwest Passage and it includes artifacts recovered from the Erebus wreck site in April 2015.
Take part in various activities, such as commemorating the 200th anniversary of Sir John A. Macdonald's birthday, trivia challenges, photo exhibits, face painting, and many more.
Participate in dance, fitness, and cooking demonstrations all afternoon.
12 p.m. CBC Songwriters Circle featuring Shad, Caracol, David Myles, Christa Couture, and Jeremy Fisher.
2:30 p.m. Rhythmic Gymnastics: a demonstration and workshop for all ages.
3:30 p.m. Zumba with GoodLife Fitness.
7 p.m. Evening concert: Caracol, Shad, DJ Memetic, and Electro Videogirl.
Jacques Cartier Park
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Various family-oriented activities such as face painting, inflatable games, various sports, kite making workshops, LEGO and Nintendo.
10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Percu-time with festive cadences of Brazil's Carnaval.
11 a.m. Burletta at 4 Times: A show for the whole family on the main stage, they will delight you with their gentle lampoons, parodies, and outrageousness.
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Dame de Coeur theatre's Giant Puppet Workshop. Learn about creating and operating large puppets.
1 p.m. Mysteric: Canada's two-time magic champion Éric Leclerc on the main stage.
3 p.m. Michel Lauzière, known as the man of many talents, on the main stage.
7 p.m. Evening show: David Myles, Brigitte Boisjoli, and DJ Sly.
National Arts Centre
10 a.m. Unisong Massed Choir: more than 300 choristers from across Canada. Seating is limited and first-come first-served.
Architecture and National Identity Exhibition (NAC foyer)
Public lecture about the Architecture and National Identity Exhibition (4th Stage)
Kids Corner until 4 p.m., including crafts, colouring, face painting (Le Salon)
Lunch: BBQ (Freiman Lane) and Canadian themed lunch buffet (Le Café)
11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Breakdance with Culture Shock (Terrace)
12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. Two performances by the Mackenzie Rhythm Section (Lobby Stage)
1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Loyal Kigabiro Burundi Sacred Drums (Freiman Lane)
3 p.m. À la carte dinner service (Le Café)
2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. NAC Orchestra with host and performer Florence K, conductor Alain Trudel, and Unisong (Southam Hall)
Canada Day road closures
What's open, what's closed on Canada Day
What to do this week: From great gigs to full moon yoga and what's open for brunch on Canada Day
Stubbies, sausages and beer ice cream for Dominion Day
What to Eat: Ice pops of patriotism
TD Ottawa Jazz Festival
Confederation Park:
2 p.m. TD Jazz Youth Summit (Canadian artists)
4 p.m. The Canadian Forces Quintet (Ottawa)
6 p.m. The Heavyweights Brass Band (Toronto)
Marion Dewar Plaza:
1 p.m. Jill Zmud (Ottawa)
3 p.m. Brianna Gosse (St. John's)
5 p.m. Zaki Ibrahim (Vancouver)
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free admission to the collection. Programs include an informal conversation about an artwork and creative activities at the family Artissimo kiosk.
Free admission at these museums: Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of Nature, Royal Canadian Mint, Canada Agriculture Museum.
AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN
Mackenzie-King Estate
12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy cake, live music, games for kids and many other activities at the restored Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park.
Walter Baker Park, Terry Fox Drive
9 a.m. Free fitness activities, fun for the kids, and all-day entertainment, starting with a free yoga session by the Wishingtree Yoga Centre
8:30 p.m. JUNO Award-winning Brett Kissel concert
Clarke Fields, Strandherd Drive
11 a.m. Day-long free kids zone, cultural and musical entertainment, and food vendors
11:15 a.m. 2015 Pan-American and Para-Pan-American Games torch relay
5:30 p.m. Music by Blackwell, Leah Daniels, and Famous Live Band
Navan Fairgrounds
11 a.m. Free day-long fun, kids activities, magic show, water ball game, and food
1:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Main stage entertainment including Silent T, Domenic's Academy of Music, Victoria Powell, Chris Kesner, L'un dit, and The Myers Brothers (Delta Blues)
10:05 p.m. Fireworks
Osgoode
Osgoode Community Centre
2 p.m. BBQ, free children's activities, live entertainment and a race until the evening
5 p.m. Parade starting from Osgoode Main Street at Nixon Drive, including floats, horses, local groups, and more! Children 8-12 years old are also encouraged to participate in the Foodland Bicycle Decorating Contest
Transportation: Due to street closures and parking restrictions, public transportation is the way to go. OC Transpo offers free transit all day long and after the fireworks, but peak period routes will not be running. STO offers free transit after 10 p.m. Visit octranspo.com and sto.ca for more information. A free shuttle bus runs across Alexandra bridge between Major's Hill Park and Jacques-Cartier Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lost children: Look for a giant sign with a teddy bear on it. People are encouraged to register their children when they arrive on site, as well as take a photo of their kids before heading out. Also agree on a meet up place beforehand.
First aid, washrooms: Available at Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, and Jacques-Cartier Park
Go to canadaday.gc.ca or visit the information booths (on Canada Day only) at and across from Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, and Jacques-Cartier Park
For information on access to Canada Day official sites for people with limited mobility, contact the info kiosk at 1-844-878-8333