Spring officially kicks off on March 20 and Ottawa, already hyped about an early warm season this year, is about to explode with colour. From delicate cherry blossoms to the world-famous Canadian Tulip Festival, here's everything you need to know about Ottawa's flower season.
Cherry Blossoms & Apple Blossoms
When: Late April to mid-May Best spot: Dominion Arboretum (next to the Central Experimental Farm)
The Dominion Arboretum is Ottawa's crown jewel for spring blossoms. The grounds are home to dozens of ornamental cherry and apple trees that burst into soft pink and white blooms in late April. The sight is genuinely stunning, rows of flowering trees against the backdrop of the experimental farm fields.
Entry is free, and the arboretum is walkable and stroller-friendly. Come on a calm morning for the best photos before the crowds arrive.
The Canadian Tulip Festival
When: May 8–18 Main location: Dow's Lake Also: Major's Hill Park and throughout the city
Ottawa hosts the world's largest tulip festival, a free annual event featuring over 100 varieties of tulips and more than a million blooms across the city. The festival has its roots in a touching piece of Canadian history: the Dutch Royal Family gifted tulip bulbs to Canada after Ottawa sheltered Princess Juliana during World War II.
Dow's Lake is the main hub, with massive displays, vendors, live music, and family activities. But you'll spot gorgeous tulip beds at Major's Hill Park, Commissioner's Park, and even along the Rideau River pathways.
Tips for Peak Bloom
- Check the forecast: Tulips typically peak between May 8–18, but weather can push things earlier or later by a week
- Go early in the day: The festival draws huge crowds on weekends, early mornings are magical and uncrowded
- Bring a bike: The pathways linking tulip spots are part of Ottawa's extensive cycling network
The Maple Bridge to Spring
Right before flowers bloom, Ottawa's maple season runs through March and early April. Sugar bushes around the region offer maple taffy pulling, syrup demonstrations, and outdoor fun, a perfect way to ease into the warmer months before tulip season hits.
Spring in Ottawa is genuinely worth the wait.
Source: @ottawalist
