The Carefree Traveller
Canadian Tulip Festival May 6 - May 23, 2011
Ottawa Canada
Ottawa Canada
The Canadian Tulip Festival has grown into the largest Tulip Festival in
the world from a gift of International Friendship given six decades ago. In
the fall of 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa
with 100,000 tulip bulbs. The gift was given in appreciation of the safe
haven that members of Holland's exiled royal family received during the
Second World War in Ottawa and in recognition of the role which
Canadian troops played in the liberation of the Netherlands.
The tulips have become an important symbol of international friendship
and the beauty of spring. They also have special meaning to people of
Canada's Capital Region. During the war, the Dutch royal family was
hosted at Government House in Ottawa. Princess Margriet was born at
the Ottawa Civic Hospital; her hospital room declared "Dutch soil" and the
flag of the Netherlands flew on Parliament's Peace Tower.
the world from a gift of International Friendship given six decades ago. In
the fall of 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa
with 100,000 tulip bulbs. The gift was given in appreciation of the safe
haven that members of Holland's exiled royal family received during the
Second World War in Ottawa and in recognition of the role which
Canadian troops played in the liberation of the Netherlands.
The tulips have become an important symbol of international friendship
and the beauty of spring. They also have special meaning to people of
Canada's Capital Region. During the war, the Dutch royal family was
hosted at Government House in Ottawa. Princess Margriet was born at
the Ottawa Civic Hospital; her hospital room declared "Dutch soil" and the
flag of the Netherlands flew on Parliament's Peace Tower.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The first Canadian Tulip Festival was held in 1953. The Ottawa Board of Trade, at the suggestion of
world-renowned photographer Malak Karsh whose photographs have immortalized the tulip, formalized
the Canadian Tulip Festival to coincide with the tulip's annual bloom. In the next 10 years the Festival
grew in size, with a staggering display of over two million flowers.
Over the decades the Festival has been opened by Governors General, Prime Ministers and Royalty,
including several return visits from Queen Juliana and Princess Margriet. In addition, international
superstars - Liberace in 1972 - and Canadian superstars have performed at the Canadian Tulip
Festival. Singer Alanis Morissette made her debut on the Tulip stage at the age of 12 in 1987.
Through the 1990s and into the new millennium, the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrated the Tulip as a
symbol of Peace and Friendship creating an annual international bond by twinning with Friendship
Countries including the Netherlands, Turkey, France, Japan, the United States, Great Britain and
Australia.
world-renowned photographer Malak Karsh whose photographs have immortalized the tulip, formalized
the Canadian Tulip Festival to coincide with the tulip's annual bloom. In the next 10 years the Festival
grew in size, with a staggering display of over two million flowers.
Over the decades the Festival has been opened by Governors General, Prime Ministers and Royalty,
including several return visits from Queen Juliana and Princess Margriet. In addition, international
superstars - Liberace in 1972 - and Canadian superstars have performed at the Canadian Tulip
Festival. Singer Alanis Morissette made her debut on the Tulip stage at the age of 12 in 1987.
Through the 1990s and into the new millennium, the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrated the Tulip as a
symbol of Peace and Friendship creating an annual international bond by twinning with Friendship
Countries including the Netherlands, Turkey, France, Japan, the United States, Great Britain and
Australia.
|
Commissioner’s Park - Dow's Lake
FREE ADMISSION
An estimated 300,000 tulips shape and illuminate one of the
National Capital’s most prestigious parks in the city.
Always a popular destination, Commissioners Park, located at Dow’
s Lake, will be open from Friday, May 6th to Monday, May 23rd. In
spring, over one million tulips in more than 50 varieties bring the
National Capital Commission’s (NCC) flower beds to life. The
highest concentration in the region—some 300,000, can be found in
Commissioners Park during the Canadian Tulip Festival. Visit the
NCC’s Tulip Legacy Exhibit at Dow’s Lake and discover the
fascinating details of the events that led to the “Gift of Tulips”. Then,
follow the Tulip Route as it winds its way along the canal and
through the Capital. Stop to visit other spectacular multi-coloured
tulip gardens, including the picturesque Malak bed at the Canadian
Museum of Civilization, and along the shorelines of the Ottawa River
in Gatineau.
Visit the NCC’s Tulip Legacy Exhibit at Dow’s Lake and discover the
fascinating details of the events that led to the “Gift of Tulips”.
FREE ADMISSION
An estimated 300,000 tulips shape and illuminate one of the
National Capital’s most prestigious parks in the city.
Always a popular destination, Commissioners Park, located at Dow’
s Lake, will be open from Friday, May 6th to Monday, May 23rd. In
spring, over one million tulips in more than 50 varieties bring the
National Capital Commission’s (NCC) flower beds to life. The
highest concentration in the region—some 300,000, can be found in
Commissioners Park during the Canadian Tulip Festival. Visit the
NCC’s Tulip Legacy Exhibit at Dow’s Lake and discover the
fascinating details of the events that led to the “Gift of Tulips”. Then,
follow the Tulip Route as it winds its way along the canal and
through the Capital. Stop to visit other spectacular multi-coloured
tulip gardens, including the picturesque Malak bed at the Canadian
Museum of Civilization, and along the shorelines of the Ottawa River
in Gatineau.
Visit the NCC’s Tulip Legacy Exhibit at Dow’s Lake and discover the
fascinating details of the events that led to the “Gift of Tulips”.
International Pavilion - Lansdowne Park
FREE ADMISSION
A long-running and popular staple of the Festival’s
programming, the International Pavilion allows the CTF to
celebrate its roots as a festival founded on the principle of
international friendship.
Developed in partnership with over 20 embassies and local
cultural groups, the Pavilion features international cuisine,
crafts, souvenirs, and art. Open every day in Major’s Hill Park,
the Pavilion forms the centre of ongoing Festival programming.
FREE ADMISSION
A long-running and popular staple of the Festival’s
programming, the International Pavilion allows the CTF to
celebrate its roots as a festival founded on the principle of
international friendship.
Developed in partnership with over 20 embassies and local
cultural groups, the Pavilion features international cuisine,
crafts, souvenirs, and art. Open every day in Major’s Hill Park,
the Pavilion forms the centre of ongoing Festival programming.
Major's Hill Park (Behind Chateau Laurier)
FREE ADMISSION
Major’s Hill Park, the Canadian Tulip Festival’s main activity site,
will officially be open from Friday, May 13th to Monday, May 23rd.
In partnership with the NCC, the official gardener of Canada’s
Capital, Major’s Hill Park will feature must see extraordinary
Kaleidoscope tulip beds. Children and family oriented activities
and the International Pavilion are back! In 2011, the pavilion will
host 20 or more participating embassies and local community
groups.
Come out and enjoy cultural entertainment on the International
Friendship Stage, taste exotic cuisine, explore new worlds, learn
about other countries and their history, plan your next trip or
shop for souvenirs from around the world.
FREE ADMISSION
Major’s Hill Park, the Canadian Tulip Festival’s main activity site,
will officially be open from Friday, May 13th to Monday, May 23rd.
In partnership with the NCC, the official gardener of Canada’s
Capital, Major’s Hill Park will feature must see extraordinary
Kaleidoscope tulip beds. Children and family oriented activities
and the International Pavilion are back! In 2011, the pavilion will
host 20 or more participating embassies and local community
groups.
Come out and enjoy cultural entertainment on the International
Friendship Stage, taste exotic cuisine, explore new worlds, learn
about other countries and their history, plan your next trip or
shop for souvenirs from around the world.
N.B The Canadian Tulip Festival is NOT dog-friendly!
If you are considering a visit, please see our list of Off-Leash Dog parks in Ottawa and area
If you are considering a visit, please see our list of Off-Leash Dog parks in Ottawa and area
Online carefree travel service for festivals, special events, villa and vacation home rentals, vacation packages,
tours, family vacations and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The
Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.
tours, family vacations and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The
Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.
Air
Accomodations:
Hotels
Resorts & Spas
Vacation Home & Villas
Vacation Packages
Car Rentals
Travel With Pets
Specialty Travel
Tours
Festivals & Special Events
Travel Insurance
Travel Planning
Destinations
Travel Guides
Maps
Travel Store
Resources
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
Accomodations:
Hotels
Resorts & Spas
Vacation Home & Villas
Vacation Packages
Car Rentals
Travel With Pets
Specialty Travel
Tours
Festivals & Special Events
Travel Insurance
Travel Planning
Destinations
Travel Guides
Maps
Travel Store
Resources
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
VENUES
Family Zone
This year, the Canadian Tulip Festival will present whimsical,
colourful children’s programming in line with our 2011
Kaleidoscope theme, a dedicated children’s area in Major’s Hill
Park will be featuring interactive workshops that will allow children
to discover the tulips and the Kaleidoscope theme. Other
proposed programming includes an enchanting Alice in
Wonderland-themed tea party for kids of all ages, featuring
croquet, tea, scones, and a showing of the classic 1951 Disney
version of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale.
This year, the Canadian Tulip Festival will present whimsical,
colourful children’s programming in line with our 2011
Kaleidoscope theme, a dedicated children’s area in Major’s Hill
Park will be featuring interactive workshops that will allow children
to discover the tulips and the Kaleidoscope theme. Other
proposed programming includes an enchanting Alice in
Wonderland-themed tea party for kids of all ages, featuring
croquet, tea, scones, and a showing of the classic 1951 Disney
version of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale.