- August 3
- August 2
- August 1
- July 31
- Themes
| 10am | Biking on the Rideau | East Arch of Plaza Bridge |
| 10am | Garden Tours | Dows Lake |
| 10am - 1pm | The Great Canoe Rendezvous | Dows Lake |
| 10am - 5pm | Rideau Heritage Village | Along the Rideau canal |
| 10am - 5pm | Ecosphere Environment Fair | Confederation Park |
| 10am - 5pm | UNESCO Photo Exhibit | Confederation Park |
| 11am (french) | The Rideau Canal: UNESCO World Heritage Site Tours | Corktown Bridge University of Ottawa Metre Lounge |
| 11am | Colonel By Day Proclamations | Bytown Museum |
| 11am - 4pm | Colonel By Day Celebrations | Bytown Museum |
| 11:30am | Buy Local BBQ Challenge | Confederation Park |
| 1pm | Buy Local BBQ Challenge | Confederation Park |
| 2pm (english) | The Rideau Canal: UNESCO World Heritage Site Tours | Corktown Bridge University of Ottawa Metre Lounge |
10AM
RIDEAU CANAL GARDEN TOURS | DOWS LAKE
Tour the extraordinary display of annuals and hear the story of the origin and history of these famed gardens, guided by the Ottawa Botanical Garden Society, in collaboration with the National Capital Commission.
10am
BIKING ON THE RIDEAU | east arch of plaza bridge
$15 fee
(includes 2009 correctly sized comfortable bike, helmet, taxes and your guide
Join your guides from Rent-A-Bike for a Heritage Bicycle Tour along the Rideau Canal. The National Capital Region boasts some of the best recreational pathways in North America and none are more historic than this scenic path along the Rideau Canal. This 90 minute tour takes you along both sides of the Canal with a turnaround at Hartwell Locks.
Please visit www.rentabike.ca to register.
10AM TO 1pm
CANOE RENDEZVOUS | DOWS LAKE
The Canoe Rendezvous is a tribute to Canada’s first mode of transportation – the Canoe! We want to see how many canoes we can get in Dows Lake, and we will be photographing it for history! Come and be part of the picture!
10AM TO 5PM
RIDEAU HERITAGE VILLAGE
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Bringing together our common heritage
This Green Rendezvous attraction offers the opportunity to experience the Rideau Canal World Heritage Rideau communities, and get a taste of canal’s fascinating history through a series of engaging and hands-on activities and performances, featuring several colourful artists, artisans, and demonstrators!
10am to 5pm
ECOSPHERE ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Group ECOSPHERE – a not for profit organization – is proud to present its second multidisciplinary environmental fair in Ottawa. The main goal of this fair is to raise collective awareness by bringing together key players in the environmental world. Come take part in the dynamic activities, workshops, and conferences entirely dedicated to ecology and the environment, with an outdoor concert for children, and over 70 exhibitors!
10AM TO 6PM
UNESCO PHOTO EXHIBIT
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Enjoy the spectacular photography of over 55 of the world’s most renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
11am (french) and 2pm (english)
THE RIDEAU CANAL: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE TOURS
Corktown bridge | university of ottawa metre lounge
The Rideau Canal borders the western edge of the University of Ottawa campus and is considered one of the world' most remarkable examples 19th-century engineering prowess.
The tour includes several stops at historical interpretation panels and runs roughly two hours. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes — you have to walk across the locks and climb a steep slope.
Tour Guide Michel Prévost is the University of Ottawa's chief archivist and the president of the Société d’histoire de l’Outaouais. The Rideau Canal holds a special place in his heart, and he regularly gives guided tours of this historic man-made water link between Kingston and Ottawa.
11:30AM, 1PM, AND 3PM
ENBRIDGE BUY LOCAL BBQ CHALLENGE
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Chefs from Ottawa area restaurants and hotels prepare their favourite BBQ recipes in Confederation Park.The challenge? Their creations must be made entirely from local products sourced from Savour Ottawa producers! Keep a special eye out for celebrity hosts!
11AM
COLONEL BY DAY PROCLAMATION CEREMONy
BYTOWN MUSEUM/ OTTAWA LOCKS
The Bytown Museum will be open for free as part of the Colonel By Day celebrations!
11am to 4pm
colonel by day celebrations
Bytown museum/ ottawa locks
Join us to celebrate local heritage! Activities include:
- Heritage cookery demonstrations
- Costumed characters of Ottawa’s past
- Outdoor musketry demonstrations
- Lace making
- Flax and linen weaving
- Heritage rug braiding
- Ingleneuk Country Scottish Dancing
- Aboriginal drumming and music by Northern V oices
- Blacksmithing
- Face painting
... and much more!
CANAL METRE LOUNGES | RIDEAU CANAL
Canal Metre Lounges are open throughout the Festival, and offer daily activities, refreshments, and a beautiful view of the Rideau Canal.
Click here for daily schedules.
| 10am | Biking on the Rideau | East Arch of Plaza Bridge |
| 10am | Explore Lowertown West with Heritage Ottawa | Major's Hill Park |
| 10am | Garden Tours | Dows Lake |
| 10am - 6pm | Rideau Heritage Village | Along the Rideau canal |
| 10am - 6pm | Ecosphere Environment Fair | Confederation Park |
| 10am - 6pm | UNESCO Photo Exhibit | Confederation Park |
| 10am - 1pm | Explore the docks | Dows Lake |
| 10am - 12:30pm | Mini Flotilla and Model Boat Show | Dows Lake |
| 11am (french) | The Rideau Canal: UNESCO World Heritage Site Tours | Corktown Bridge University of Ottawa Metre Lounge |
| 11am | Victorian Magic! | Bytown Museum |
| 11:30am | Buy Local BBQ Challenge | Confederation Park |
| 1pm | Daily Guided Tour | Bytown Museum |
| 1pm | Rideau Canal Flotilla: Celebrating Rideau Heritage |
Dows Lake |
| 1pm | Buy Local BBQ Challenge | Confederation Park |
| 2pm (english) | The Rideau Canal: UNESCO World Heritage Site Tours | Corktown Bridge University of Ottawa Metre Lounge |
| 2pm | Victorian Magic! | Bytown Museum |
| 2pm | Chamberfest and RIdeau Canal Festival Canal Music ’09 RIDEAU LAKES BRASS QUINTET |
Next to the National Arts Centre |
| 3pm | Buy Local BBQ Challenge | Confederation Park |
10am
BIKING ON THE RIDEAU | east arch of plaza bridge
$15 fee
(includes 2009 correctly sized comfortable bike, helmet, taxes and your guide
Join your guides from Rent-A-Bike for a Heritage Bicycle Tour along the Rideau Canal. The National Capital Region boasts some of the best recreational pathways in North America and none are more historic than this scenic path along the Rideau Canal. This 90 minute tour takes you along both sides of the Canal with a turnaround at Hartwell Locks.
Please visit www.rentabike.ca to register.
10AM
EXPLORE LOWERTOWN WEST WITH HERITAGE OTTAWA
Major's hill park
Lowertown West is the heart of old Bytown where canal workers first settled and some of Ottawa's earliest residential, commercial, and institutional structures can be found. The walk takes participants around Major’s Hill Park, up to Nepean Point, and then looks at some of the historic buildings in Lowertown and the ByWard Market. Your guide is Hagit Hadaya, architectural historian.
Tour departs from the Colonel By statue in Major’s Hill Park
Tour duration: approximately 1.5 hours
$10 fee for non-members supports the work of Heritage Ottawa, a non-profit charitable organization.
Please visit their website at www.heritageottawa.org for more information on summer heritage walking tours.
10AM
RIDEAU CANAL GARDEN TOURS | DOWS LAKE
Tour the extraordinary display of annuals and hear the story of the origin and history of these famed gardens, guided by the Ottawa Botanical Garden Society, in collaboration with the National Capital Commission.
10am - 12:30pM
MINI FLOTILLA and mini boat show | DOWS LAKE
Watch the hand-crafted model boats of the Rideau Nautical Modellers sail their decorated boats around the docks.
A t 12 pm the Mini Flotilla will commence and the captains will compete for best in show.
10am to 1pm
EXPLORE THE DOCKS | DOWS LAKE
Visit Dows Lake Pavilion to meet the boaters as they put the finishing touches on their floats.
10AM TO 6PM
RIDEAU HERITAGE VILLAGE
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Travel back in time!
Don’t be surprised if you encounter some historical characters strolling alongside the Canal or in Confederation Park during the Festival. Five couples who lived during the construction of the Canal have come back in time to celebrate with us and witness Ottawa’s very own UN ESCO World Heritage S ite. Y ou will get a chance to ask them how life was back in 1826.
10AM TO 6PM
UNESCO PHOTO EXHIBIT
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Enjoy the spectacular photography of over 55 of the world’s most renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
10AM TO 6PM
ECOSPHERE ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Group ECOSPHERE – a not for profit organization – is proud to present its second multidisciplinary environmental fair in Ottawa. The main goal of this fair is to raise collective awareness by bringing together key players in the environmental world. Come take part in the dynamic activities, workshops, and conferences entirely dedicated to ecology and the environment, with an outdoor concert for children, and over 70 exhibitors!
11am (french) and 2pm (english)
THE RIDEAU CANAL: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE TOURS
Corktown bridge | university of ottawa metre lounge
The Rideau Canal borders the western edge of the University of Ottawa campus and is considered one of the world' most remarkable examples 19th-century engineering prowess.
The tour includes several stops at historical interpretation panels and runs roughly two hours. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes — you have to walk across the locks and climb a steep slope.
Tour Guide Michel Prévost is the University of Ottawa's chief archivist and the president of the Société d’histoire de l’Outaouais. The Rideau Canal holds a special place in his heart, and he regularly gives guided tours of this historic man-made water link between Kingston and Ottawa.
11am and 2pm
Victorian magic! Bytown museum
Come be amazed and learn to amaze your friends! Bytown Museum
11:30AM, 1PM, AND 3PM
ENBRIDGE BUY LOCAL BBQ CHALLENGE
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Chefs from Ottawa area restaurants and hotels prepare their favourite BBQ recipes in Confederation Park. The challenge? Their creations must be made entirely from local products sourced from Savour Ottawa producers! Keep a special eye out for celebrity hosts!
1PM
RIDEAU CANAL FLOTILLA |CELEBRATING RIDEAU HERITAGE
DOWS LAKE
Grand Marshal: The Honourable John Baird
A procession of beautifully decorated boats — reflecting this year’s theme Celebrating Rideau Heritage — will launch from Dows Lake Pavilion and make its way to the National A rts Centre — with a grand musical performance by the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival.
Enjoy the show from one of our eight Canal Metre Lounges along the way, or come to the Hydro Ottawa Reserved Seating Area at Dows Lake to hear the Flotilla animation by radio personality Stuntman S tu from The Team 1200! Ticket are $12. To reserve tickets, call 613- 288-0970.
1PM
DAILY GUIDED TOUR | BYTOWN MUSEUM
Explore Ottawa’s oldest building with its 2 ½ foot-thick stone walls. The Commissariat was used as a treasury and storehouse during the construction of the Rideau Canal. Today, it houses the Bytown Museum. Daily guided tour included with admission.
2 pm
Chamberfest & Rideau Canal Festival
Canal Music ’09 Next to the National Arts Centre – RIDEAU LAKES BRASS QUINT ET
Festival-goers will be captivated by brass musicians performing from flotilla boats, on the shore, on the bridges above, and throughout the surrounding areas creating a once–in–a–lifetime sound installation under the direction of composer Kelly-Marie Murphy.
METRE LOUNGES | RIDEAU CANAL
Canal Metre Lounges are open throughout the Festival, and offer daily activities, refreshments, and a beautiful view of the Rideau Canal.
Click here for more information.
| 10am | Heritage Walking Tours Architectural and Engineering Wonders on the Canal |
Confederation Park |
| 10am | Biking on the Rideau | East Arch of Plaza Bridge |
| 10am | Garden Tours | Dows Lake |
| 10am - 6pm | Rideau Heritage Village | Along the Rideau canal |
| 10am - 6pm | Ecosphere Environment Fair | Confederation Park |
| 10am - 6pm | UNESCO Photo Exhibit | Confederation Park |
| 11am (french) | The Rideau Canal: UNESCO World Heritage Site Tours | Corktown Bridge University of Ottawa Metre Lounge |
| 11am | Victorian Magic! | Bytown Museum |
| 11:30am | Buy Local BBQ Challenge | Confederation Park |
| 1pm | Daily Guided Tour | Bytown Museum |
| 1pm | From Rags to Rugs | Bytown Museum |
| 1pm | Buy Local BBQ Challenge | Confederation Park |
| 2pm (english) | The Rideau Canal: UNESCO World Heritage Site Tours | Corktown Bridge University of Ottawa Metre Lounge |
| 2pm | Victorian Magic! | Bytown Museum |
| 2pm | Musical Breeze Bicycle Parade | Lansdowne Park |
| 3pm | Buy Local BBQ Challenge | Confederation Park |
| 8:30pm | Mini Parade of Lights | Dows Lake |
| 9pm | Dows Lake Parade of Lights | Dows Lake |
| 10pm | Fireworks | |
10AM
HERITAGE WALKING TOURs
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Architectural and Engineering Wonders on the Canal
A one-hour tour along the Rideau Canal between Entrance Bay and Corktown Bridge to see the imposing architecture and engineering along the first mile of the canal corridor.
Hear the story of the architects and engineers involved in these historical structures. Imagine an earlier era when canal shipping created Ottawa’s commercial artery, when railway tracks lined the canal’s east side, and when the Queen Elizabeth Driveway was created as Ottawa’s first scenic parkway.
Tour guide David Jeanes is a retired professional engineer and Vice President of Heritage Ottawa. He has conducted tours of downtown Ottawa’s architecture and helped to organize the annual Doors Open event for the past seven years. He has researched, written, and lectured about many of the structures on the tour.
Tour departs from the Colonel By Fountain in Confederation Park.
10am
BIKING ON THE RIDEAU | east arch of plaza bridge
$15 fee
(includes 2009 correctly sized comfortable bike, helmet, taxes and your guide
Join your guides from Rent-A-Bike for a Heritage Bicycle Tour along the Rideau Canal. The National Capital Region boasts some of the best recreational pathways in North America and none are more historic than this scenic path along the Rideau Canal. This 90 minute tour takes you along both sides of the Canal with a turnaround at Hartwell Locks.
Please visit www.rentabike.ca to register.
10AM
RIDEAU CANAL GARDEN TOURS | DOWS LAKE
Tour the extraordinary display of annuals and hear the story of the origin and history of these famed gardens, guided by the Ottawa Botanical Garden Society, in collaboration with the National Capital Commission.
10AM TO 6PM
RIDEAU HERITAGE VILLAGE
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Bringing together our commmon heritage
This Green Rendezvous attraction offers the opportunity to experience the Rideau Canal World Heritage Rideau communities, and get a taste of canal’s fascinating history through a series of engaging and hands-on activities and performances, featuring several colourful artists, artisans, and demonstrators!
10AM TO 6PM
UNESCO PHOTO EXHIBIT
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Enjoy the spectacular photography of over 55 of the world’s most renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
11AM
OFFICIAL OPENING OF ECOSPHERE ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Group ECOSPHERE — a not for profit organization — is proud to present its second multidisciplinary environmental fair in Ottawa. The main goal of this fair is to raise collective awareness by bringing together key players in the environmental world. Come take part in the dynamic activities, workshops, and conferences entirely dedicated to ecology and the environment, with an outdoor concert for children, and over 70 exhibitors!
Don't miss the Green Speakers Series, with over 25 featured speakers!
11am and 2pm
Victorian magic! Bytown museum
Come be amazed and learn to amaze your friends! Bytown Museum.
11am (french) and 2pm (english)
THE RIDEAU CANAL: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE TOURS
Corktown bridge | university of ottawa metre lounge
The Rideau Canal borders the western edge of the University of Ottawa campus and is considered one of the world' most remarkable examples 19th-century engineering prowess.
The tour includes several stops at historical interpretation panels and runs roughly two hours. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes — you have to walk across the locks and climb a steep slope.
Tour Guide Michel Prévost is the University of Ottawa's chief archivist and the president of the Société d’histoire de l’Outaouais. The Rideau Canal holds a special place in his heart, and he regularly gives guided tours of this historic man-made water link between Kingston and Ottawa.
11:30AM, 1PM, AND 3PM
ENBRIDGE BUY LOCAL BBQ CHALLENGE
ENERGY OTTAWA GREEN RENDEZVOUS/ CONFEDERATION PARK
Chefs from Ottawa area restaurants and hotels prepare their favourite BBQ recipes in Confederation Park.The challenge? Their creations must be made entirely from local products sourced from Savour Ottawa producers! Keep a special eye out for celebrity hosts!
1PM
DAILY GUIDED TOUR | BYTOWN MUSEUM
Explore Ottawa’s oldest building with its 2 ½ foot-thick stone walls. The Commissariat was used as a treasury and storehouse during the construction of the Rideau Canal. Today, it houses the Bytown Museum. Daily guided tour included with admission.
1pm
From Rags to Rugs | Bytown Museum
Into recycling? Watch as rags are turned into crocheted rugs!
2PM
MUSICAL BREEZE BICYCLE PARADE
FROM LANSDOWNE PARK TO OTTAWA CITY HALL
The Rideau Canal Festival and the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival have teamed up to offer cycling enthusiasts a unique way to enjoy a ride along the Rideau Canal.
Join us for this outdoor musical and cycling event, with a grand finale at 2:30 at Marion Dewar Festival Plaza. Registration online or as of 1pm at Lansdowne Park.
8:30pm
Mini Parade of Lights | Dows Lake
The Rideau Nautical Modellers will decorate their model boats with lights to create a mini parade for all ages to enjoy.
9PM
DOWS LAKE PARADE OF LIGHTS | DOWS LAKE
Come enjoy a magical experience at Dow’s Lake with over 25 glowing boats. The lake will be transformed into a shimmering ribbon as darkness falls and this nighttime parade on water casts off from Dows Lake Pavilion.
10PM
DOWS LAKE FIREWORKS | DOWS LAKE
The Parade of Lights finishes with a bang – Don’t miss our annual fireworks display!
CANAL METRE LOUNGES | RIDEAU CANAL
Canal Metre Lounges are open throughout the Festival, and offer daily activities, refreshments, and a beautiful view of the Rideau Canal.
Click here for daily schedules.
10am
BIKING ON THE RIDEAU | east arch of plaza bridge
$15 fee
(includes 2009 correctly sized comfortable bike, helmet, taxes and you guide)
Join your guides from Rent-A-Bike for a Heritage Bicycle Tour along the Rideau Canal. The National Capital Region boasts some of the best recreational pathways in North America and none are more historic than this scenic path along the Rideau Canal. This 90 minute tour takes you along both sides of the Canal with a turnaround at Hartwell Locks.
Please visit www.rentabike.ca to register.
1PM
DAILY GUIDED TOUR | BYTOWN MUSEUM
Explore Ottawa’s oldest building with its 2 ½ foot-thick stone walls. The Commissariat was used as a treasury and storehouse during the construction of the Rideau Canal. Today, it houses the Bytown Museum. Daily guided tour included with admission
1pm (french) and 4pm (english)
THE RIDEAU CANAL: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE TOURS
Corktown bridge | University of Ottawa metre lounge
The Rideau Canal borders the western edge of the University of Ottawa campus and is considered one of the world' most remarkable examples 19th-century engineering prowess.
The tour includes several stops at historical interpretation panels and runs roughly two hours. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes — you have to walk across the locks and climb a steep slope.
Tour Guide Michel Prévost is the University of Ottawa's chief archivist and the president of the Société d’histoire de l’Outaouais. The Rideau Canal holds a special place in his heart, and he regularly gives guided tours of this historic man-made water link between Kingston and Ottawa.
CANAL METRE LOUNGES | RIDEAU CANAL
Canal Metre Lounges are open throughout the Festival, and offer daily activities, refreshments, and a beautiful view of the Rideau Canal.
Festival Themes and Activities
The Rideau Canal Festival’s program of activities focuses on three main themes:
1. Heritage
Celebration of the heritage recognized by UNESCO and National Geographic and its impact on the Ottawa’s development;
2. Environment
In support of the Festival’s “Aim for Zero Footprint” commitment to preservethe Rideau Canal for future generations;
3. Active Living
To celebrate the Canal’s contribution to Ottawa’s quality of life.
Official Hotels
