Ottawa is a beautiful city with so much culture and history to offer its residents. Despite its sleepy reputation, our nation’s capital is actually a hotspot for festivals and festivities of international renown, especially in the summer. Here are some of Summer 2016’s most exciting highlights:
Canada Day
Come celebrate our great nation’s birthday with non-stop partying, music, and entertainment for Canadians of all ages. The action is centred around Parliament Hill, but there’s fun to be had in the ByWard Market, across the river at Jacques Cartier Park, and all across the Ottawa area on July 1st. This year, Metric, Coleman Hell, and the amazing Coeur de Pirate will perform at Parliament Hill, and make sure you don’t miss the 10 pm Pyromusical Fireworks!
Bluesfest
The 2016 edition of the Ottawa Bluesfest invades Lebreton Flats from July 7 to 17! There is a little something for everyone this year: rock (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds), rap (Future, Schoolboy Q, Ottawa’s own Belly), country (Brad Paisley, Sam Hunt), and of course plenty of blues artists who deserve their due.
HOPE Volleyball
Ottawa’s favourite sandy event is back this year on July 16 at Mooney’s Bay Beach! HOPE is all about pumping tunes, flowing drinks, spiking volleyballs, and of course supporting fantastic causes like the Ottawa Food Bank, DIFD, the Ottawa Humane Society, and the Bruyère Foundation. Take part with a team in the recreational or competitive division, or just come out and soak in the atmosphere! Our CLV Group and LIV Apartments teams will be at HOPE, handing out free swag to all participants and taking your team photos at our photobooth! Keep an eye out for us to get your official HOPE Volleyball team photo!
Ottawa International Buskerfest
The 25th Annual Ottawa International Buskerfest hits Sparks Street from July 28 to August 1. Magicians, firebreathers, contortionists, trampoline artists and other performers display their amazing talents. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon with your friends, or bring out your niece/nephew for some family-friendly fun.
GreekFest Ottawa
GreekFest Ottawa 2016 will take place August 11 to August 21! You can expect Greek music, jovial traditional Greek dances (with encouraged visitor participation), and of course excellent home-cooked Greek cuisine and cooking demonstrations.
Capital Pride
The 2016 Capital Pride Festival takes place in late August, with its signature parade marching downtown streets on August 21. Celebrate inclusion, positivity, and openness with a variety of events across the capital!
When you live in Ottawa, you get to enjoy these and other activities at your leisure! Find an Ottawa apartment, sit back, relax, and enjoy all that our capital city has to offer this summer.