The Canadian Tulip Festival, often described as the longest thank-you in world history, returns for its 74th edition from May 9 to 18, 2026. This annual event commemorates the gift of 20,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands to Canada in 1945, a gesture of gratitude for Canada's role in sheltering the Dutch royal family and liberating the Netherlands during World War II.
Festival Highlights
The festival features 26 display gardens across Ottawa, with nightly programming at Dow's Lake and a special victory "party" dance. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, 83, who was born in Ottawa during the war, arrived earlier this week. She plans to visit the Ottawa Civic Hospital, where she was born, and attend the festival. On May 7, she participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Canadian War Museum and viewed an exhibit on the liberation of the Netherlands.
Opening Ceremony
The 2026 Opening Ceremony takes place Saturday, May 9, at Commissioners Park. The event includes a tribute to veterans, a cannon salute, and a CF-18 flyover.
Key Events
- Flower Fun Run (May 10): A beginner-friendly run starting at Dow's Lake, offering scenic views of tulips in bloom.
- Tulip Market (May 8-18): Located in Commissioners Park, featuring tulip bulbs, flowers, and handcrafted items from six local vendors, including candles, woodwork, and knitted goods.
- CIBC Tulip Trek (May 8-18): An interactive family scavenger hunt where participants follow clues, learn tulip history, and complete a mission to help "save" the blooms. Registration fee is $5.
- Tulip Trail (May 8-18): A 4,000-year journey from Central Asian origins to Ottoman gardens, Dutch Tulip Mania, and Canada's wartime legacy, ending with an immersive photo experience inspired by photographer Malak Karsh. Registration fee is $5.
- Self-Guided Tour (May 8-18): A free 45-minute QR code-guided tour in English and French, with seven key stops explaining Canada's wartime legacy and tulip symbolism, including the Queen Juliana Gift Bed and "The Man with Two Hats" statue.
- Neo Financial Play Zone (May 8-18): Hands-on fun with oversized games, building stations, and weekend activities like obstacle courses and Nerf battles, led by Velocity Games.
Weather and Tips
The first week of the festival is expected to be brisk, with highs of 12-14°C and possible precipitation. Visitors are advised to dress warmly and check the forecast. Parking can be challenging; alternative transportation is recommended.
History of the Festival
The tradition began in 1945 when the Netherlands gifted 20,000 tulip bulbs to Canada—half from the Dutch royal family and half from growers—as thanks for Canada's hospitality and military assistance. The festival itself launched in 1953, proposed by photographer Malak Karsh. Over the decades, it has grown to include heritage installations, food exhibits, special guests, and millions of tulip blooms.
