Celebrate Canadian Heroes at the Colourful Canadian Tulip Festival
- Caleigh Ward
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place May 9 – 19 at Commissioners Park & Surrounding Areas
The Canadian Tulip Festival is more than a floral celebration—it’s a powerful remembrance of wartime bravery, humanitarian aid like Operation Manna, the Battle of the Scheldt, and the deep bond formed between Canada and The Netherlands during the Second World War that has blossomed into an annual tradition.
As the festival honours its past, it’s also about community celebration, with its mission to educate and commemorate. There’s more depth to the Tulip Festival than meets the eye.
History of the Canadian Tulip Festival
The roots of the Canadian Tulip Festival trace back to 1945, when The Dutch Royal Family gifted 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canadians in thanks for sheltering Princess Juliana and her children after their home was occupied by the Nazis, and for Canada’s pivotal role in liberating The Netherlands.
While living safely in Ottawa, Princess Juliana gave birth to Princess Margriet—the only royal baby born in Canada—at a hospital room temporarily declared Dutch soil. The Canadian Tulip Festival receives these Dutch tulip bulbs every year and is often host to Princess Margriet herself, marking 80 years of friendship and remembrance.
The festival also commemorates Canada’s critical humanitarian role during the war, including Operation Manna, an airborne food drop that saved millions of starving Dutch citizens, many of whom had been surviving on tulip bulbs.
Last year's Tulip Festival was celebrated with the Canadian Air Force by sharing the story of 99-year-old Ron Moyse, a Lancaster tail gunner who took part in the mission, and another attendee offered a powerful perspective, remembering the moment the life-saving food dropped from the sky.
History of the Tulip
Beginning in the Himalayan mountains, the tulip is a hearty bulb flower that can endure wickedly cold winters and sweltering summers. They can be halfway up, get snowed on, and still come back the next day.
“Nothing’s going to stop a tulip from its primary function in life, which is to bloom. It’s something you can count on. Death, taxes, and tulips.” – Jo Riding, Executive Director of the Canadian Tulip Festival.
Festival Opening Ceremony & Tulip Legacy Walking Tour
This year, the Tulip Festival is commemorating 80 years since the Liberation with the Canadian Army, welcoming the Head of the Canadian Army and hosting one of Canada’s most decorated soldiers of the Second World War, 101-year-old Richard Rohmer.
Set in the spring of 1946, as the first tulips bloom in Ottawa, the Tulip Legacy Walking Tour takes you on a journey through the powerful stories of those who served, featuring a young Pilot Officer Richard Rohmer and other remarkable voices reflecting on the war and its lasting impact.
Independently Run Charity with Major Economic Impact
Ottawa’s longest-running, largest-attended event saw 456,000 people over eleven days and nights last May, which equates to $58 million in tourism credit, based on the Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model (TREIM).
Tulip Festival’s biggest supporter is Veterans Affairs Canada, and is brought to life by National Capital Commission (NCC) Canada’s Official Gardener, and more than 525 volunteers.
Funding also comes from all levels of government but, struggling with cuts or commercialization, organizers fight to keep the festival free and commemorative, stating that the tulips were gifted to all Canadians, and suggesting that you wouldn’t gate and charge a ticket for Remembrance Day, so you’re not going to gate and charge a ticket for the tulips.
“To me, the chance to educate and entertain that large of an audience with that important a message… It’s worth the fight.” – Jo Riding
Special Features
Flower Fun Run – With over 300,000 tulips, this will be one of the most scenic runs around.
Vintage Victory Party – Party like we’ve just won a war with an 18-piece swing band orchestra, swing dancers, reenactors, vintage military vehicles, and more!
Drone and Firework Show – A breathtaking Grand Finale, honouring 80 Years of Liberation and celebrating victory with an unforgettable sendoff!
Daily Features
Walking Tour – The Tulip Legacy Walking Tour takes you on a journey through the powerful stories of those who served.
Free Main Stage Movies – Featuring specially selected wartime classics and blockbusters. An exciting film showcased on closing night, May 19, is Canadian-produced Liberation Men.
Tulip Market – Offering flowers, merch, and specially selected vendors.
Arteast Corner – Gallery with workshops, artists painting in the garden and face-painting for kids and adults.
Dutch Pavilion – Dutch visitors host presentations, games, and photo-ops.
Play Zone – Step into an exciting space designed for both kids and adults to spark creativity and play to their heart’s content!
Big Bug Boardwalk – Attendees experience tulip gardens under UV light, seeing the world as a pollinator does, prompting discussion on the value and importance of all pollinators.
1-800-got-JUNK? Upcycle Garden – At the end of the boardwalk, there is a
cutting-edge display created by artist Suzanne Begin that puts gardens in a
whole new light, literally!
Info Centres – Get your map and schedule.
Tours – Legacy tour, self-guided tour, and golf carts for accessibility.
Transportation
Driving - Parking at Carleton U
Transit - O-Train to Carling
Accessible Parking – All along Dow’s Lake
Comments