This year, the downtown core will come alive with energy and variety. You’ll find heritage and patriotic programming on Parliament Hill, vibrant live music and fireworks at LeBreton Flats Park, a high-energy street party in Hull featuring The Strumbellas, and hands-on activities for families in front of the Supreme Court of Canada.

See soldiers in scarlet uniforms and bearskin hats perform precise drills to military music during the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill. This free ceremony begins daily at 10 a.m. and has been a summer highlight in Ottawa since 1959. The full parade takes place Thursdays to Sundays, with the band performing Mondays to Wednesdays. Weather or special events may affect scheduling.

Enjoy complimentary evening admission to the Canadian Museum of Nature and explore fascinating galleries featuring dinosaur fossils, Arctic ecosystems, Canadian wildlife, minerals, and more. Set within a stunning heritage castle, this experience offers an inspiring journey through the natural world. Tickets are required.

Over two weeks each July, the Music and Beyond festival presents dozens of concerts across Ottawa, featuring orchestras, wind ensembles, choirs, bands, and individual instrumental and vocal performers. The musical events are linked to dance, theatre pieces, visual art, poetry, yoga, acrobatics and more. The goal? To make classical music accessible to all audiences, including students, seniors and families.

Spend your sunsets watching inspirational artists share their musical visions of culture, identity and tradition. The Wood Terrace is accessible by elevator or directly from Elgin Street, the canal, or the Mackenzie King Bridge. Take in the best free beats offered in Ottawa this summer. Outdoor concerts every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 pm.

Enjoy a refreshing outdoor fitness experience with a series of mat Pilates sessions set against the iconic backdrop of Parliament Hill. Designed to be welcoming and accessible to all, these classes invite participants to move, stretch, and recharge in a relaxed open-air setting. With 12 sessions offered throughout the summer, this unique program combines wellness, community, and scenic views, providing an inspiring way to stay active and make the most of the season in the heart of the city.

For two weeks in late July and early August, some of the city's most beautiful—and acoustically marvellous—churches, museums, galleries, theatres and heritage sites host indoor and outdoor performances by internationally renowned artists. Plus, the festival offers unique late-night Chamberfringe programming, which combines classical music with comedy, film, fantasy…and, sometimes, even cannabis!