Celebrating Ottawa 200!

The Bicentennial of Bytown

Two hundred years ago, when Lieutenant-Colonel John By was dispatched from England to supervise the construction of the Rideau Canal as a means of defending Canada against the United States, he couldn’t have imagined the wondrous city that would grow around his engineering project. 

Colonel By’s immediate priority was the construction of a settlement to house the workers involved in the canal build. In September 1826, he established Bytown at the junction of the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River. The following spring, Colonel By founded a market in Lower Town, one of Bytown’s two villages. Completed in 1832, the Rideau Canal was an exceptional engineering feat of its time, connecting a series of lakes and rivers to create a secure supply route from Lake Ontario to Bytown. 

Over the years, Bytown evolved into a bustling and prosperous lumber village; eventually renamed Ottawa (after the river) and designated as Canada’s capital. The rest, as they say, is history… in the making!

Bytown’s footprint is ever present in the Ottawa of today – among the many tributes, the Colonel By statue in Major’s Hill Park, Colonel By Secondary School, Colonel By Drive and, of course, the Byward Market – a must-go, favourite destination of locals and visitors from near and far. 

In this, the first of three HORIZON Travel & Lifestyle features on Ottawa’s bicentennial, we’re shining a broad spotlight on happenings in the city and the surrounding region. A generous overview so you can plan ahead for your spring or summer getaway. We’ll revisit Ottawa in our May issue with more details on the exciting day at Ottawa Bluesfest (July 19) and other events, as well as where to stay, where to eat, and what to do! Then, in our fall edition we’ll highlight road, river and rail trips through eastern Ontario on your way to an Ottawa bicentennial stay during the lovely leaf-peeping season! 

Ottawa 200: Party time!

Right through 2026, communities across the nation’s capital are marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bytown on September 26, 1826. Hearkening back to its humble roots as a logging town along the Ottawa River and how it evolved to the present-day Ottawa – vibrant, industrious and full of heart. 

Under the theme Celebrate Together, the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism and many local partners are welcoming residents and visitors to join in a year filled with special moments. Here’s a sample of what’s on tap to showcase Ottawa’s creative energy and unique blend of heritage and modern spirit:

• Ottawa is getting ready for Ottawa 200 day at Ottawa Bluesfest on Sunday, July 19. This special day of programming will feature The Guess Who, The Sheepdogs and Elisapie. Free, family-friendly daytime programming will be announced in March.

• The streets of Ottawa will come alive this summer with art, theatres will be filled with Indigenous and Francophone music, and taste buds will be thrilled when the city builds the world’s largest shawarma.

• Deux Voix, Une Capitale will feature monthly music performances showcasing the diversity of French music and Debaser will animate the Arts Court with Indigenous-led performances. These are just some of the 14 events sponsored by Ottawa Tourism to celebrate art, music, food and history.

• More announcements about additional celebrations are still coming, including a free, outdoor, family-friendly block party at City Hall on Saturday, September 26. This date is the actual 200th anniversary of the creation of Bytown.

Four seasons of fun! 

Ottawa is a year-round destination perfect for exploring in every season. And when it comes to photo ops, wow… selfies with a backdrop of Parliament Hill, the majestic Château Laurier, Byward Market street scenes, the Rideau and Ottawa riverscapes, good times with friends in the many pubs and eateries, and lots of family adventures around every corner. 

Summer

Ottawa was made for summer! Beautiful temps and long, sun-filled days from June to August make it the perfect weather for outdoor adventures, open-air festivals and sipping craft beers on a patio. Go flying, ziplining and rafting, and mix in some more leisurely-paced cycling, hiking, golfing and spa-ing. Of course, there are delicious treats and refreshments along the way.

Fall

Autumn is a breathtaking time to explore Ottawa. The air becomes cool and crisp, leaves turn gorgeous shades of red, orange and gold. This weather is best enjoyed when hiking, biking and wandering through local farmers’ markets.

Winter

Ottawa embraces winter with a passion. Embracing the snow and cold, you’ll love the experience of a true winter wonderland! Must dos include grabbing a hot chocolate and skating the world’s largest frozen rink – the Rideau Canal Skateway.

Spring

April showers bring May flowers, and in Ottawa that means full blossom. With moderate rainfall heralding the start of spring, over a million tulips bloom in response across the capital. It’s said that once you see cyclists along the recreational pathways, it’s officially spring in Ottawa!

Welcome to The Canadian Tulip Festival – A cavalcade of colour!

From May 18 to 26, 2026, the Canadian Tulip Festival will burst onto the scene, celebrating the beauty of spring’s signature flower – the tulip – and its historic ties to Canada’s capital. As you stroll through Commissioner’s Park at Dows Lake, you’re walking through a living tribute to a historic bond of international friendship. Boasting 300,000 blooms and over 100 unique varieties of tulip, you’ll be wowed by the spectacle.

Royal roots 

The festival began with a special gift. The Royal Family of the Kingdom of the Netherlands took refuge in Ottawa during the Second World War, and Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet was born here in 1943. Two years later, Canadian troops played a key role in liberating the Netherlands. In gratitude, the Dutch government has sent Canada a gift of tulip bulbs every year since 1945, inspiring what has become the Canadian Tulip Festival.

Interactive fun, night & day

Take photos and selfies among the dozens of colourful garden beds, visit the heritage display to learn about the historic gift of tulips which led to the festival’s creation, shop for fresh-cut flowers, crafts, art and more at the tulip boutique, or take the kids to the Tulip Town activity area. In the evening, you’ll be awed by illuminated garden beds and an amazing blacklight boardwalk experience after dark.

Enjoy a Self-Guided Legacy Tour that conveniently uses QR codes. Additional free programming includes daily outdoor movies at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as a new sound and light show every evening on the blacklight boardwalk at 9:15 p.m. 

Get ready to join in the merriment and say “hello” to spring at the Canadian Tulip Festival!  tulipfestival.ca 

Sip, Savour, repeat

You’ll never go hungry when you’re in Ottawa. The biggest challenge will be deciding what to order! 

Some days are custom made for indulging in a sweet BeaverTails treat in the Byward Market. Other times, you might have a hankering for a big juicy burger, cheesy poutine or a fresh crunchy salad. Or maybe it’s more of a romantic, special date night occasion – in that case, a table for two at Chop Steakhouse & Bar is just the ticket. 

Afternoon tea, perhaps? You’ll be sipping pretty at the Fairmont Château Laurier, with scones and jam and clotted cream and delicate little sandwiches, served with your preference from a delectable selection of teas. 

French, Italian, Thai, Japanese… you name it, every cuisine you could hope for awaits in the Ottawa culinary spectrum. Oh, and artisanal bakeries! As for beverages, you’ll be spoiled for choice, with venues serving a wide variety of cocktails, mocktails, wine, cider and craft beer to sate your thirst.  

Enjoy a staycation!