What’s happening in Ottawa this weekend: May 16-19

Tulips in bloom at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.

• Here’s what you need to know about fireworks in Ottawa and eastern Ontario for Victoria Day weekend
• Here’s what’s open and closed in Ottawa over the Victoria Day long weekend

Canadian Tulip Festival

The Canadian Tulip Festival continues all weekend at Commissioners Park in Ottawa.

• 6 locations to view the tulips in Ottawa-Gatineau in May

Check out 300,000 blooming tulips at 26 gardens in Commissioners Park at Dows Lake.

Events this weekend include:

• Sunday: Vintage Victory Party on Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Preston Street. The Victory Day Celebration includes Vintage Military vehicles and authentic Swing Dancers.  The event runs from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday: The fireworks and drone show runs from 9:20 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show will mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.
• Saturday-Sunday: The Sens Street Team
• Guided Walking Tours daily
• Movies in the Park. Enjoy free movies on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
• Big Bug Boardwalk
• ArtEast Ottawa Boutique and Activities
• Dutch Pavilion featuring music, games and cultural experiences from the Netherlands
• The Tulip Market
• Play Zone

Check out the tulips

The tulips are in bloom across Ottawa. Here are several locations to check out the tulips:

• Commissioners Park: The NCC says Commissioners Park is “a showstopper,” with over 100 varieties of tulips in 30 tulip beds.
• The Rideau Canal: Stroll, run or cycle along Queen Elizabeth Driveway and see the tulips.
• Downtown Ottawa: The tulips are in bloom at Major’s Hill Park, along Confederation Boulevard and at the National War Memorial.
• Downtown Gatineau: Tulips are on display near the Alexandra Bridge, in Jacques-Cartier Park and at the Canadian Museum of History.

NCC bike days

National Capital Commission’s weekend bikedays continue all weekend..

The NCC will close the parkways and Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles for active use.

Here is a look at what’s open for cyclists, runners, walkers and other active use:

• Kichi Zībī Mīkan (Vimy Place to Carling Avenue): 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
• Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday
• Queens Elizabeth Driveway (Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street): 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Ottawa Charge

The Ottawa Charge host the Montreal Victoire in Game 4 of their first-round PWHL playoff series Friday night.

Game time is 7 p.m. at the Arena at TD Place.

The Charge lead the series 2 games to 1.

For more information, visit https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/ottawa-charge

Ottawa Redblacks

The Ottawa Redblacks are inviting fans to Queen’s University in Kingston for Fan Fest on Saturday.

Doors open at 12 p.m. at Richardson Stadium. Meet the Redblacks and enjoy the kids zone.

Queen Victoria’s Birthday Celebrations

The Upper Canada Village invites you to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday on Saturday.

Activities include military maneuvers, the 1860s athletic games and the Village’s “Queen” in Action.

Barrhaven Ribfest

Celebrate the long weekend with ribs and fun at the Barrhaven Ribfest.

The festival runs until Monday at Clarke Field on Houlahan Street.

Ottawa BlackJacks

The Ottawa BlackJacks tip off a new season Sunday at TD Place.

The BlackJacks host the Niagara River Lions for a 3 p.m. game.

CanGames Table Top Game Convention

Enjoy three fun-filled days at the CanGames Tabletop Game Convention at the Rideau Curling Club.

The event features every table top game you can think of, plus miniatures, board games and more.

Rideau Canal

It’s the opening weekend for boating on the Rideau Canal.

Parks Canada says the Rideau Canal is open for boaters between Ottawa and Kingston.

National Arts Centre

Here’s a look at what’s happening at the National Arts Centre this weekend.

• Until May 24: NAC English Theatre presents Mahabharata: Karma
• May 17-24: Khana & Kaani Community Meal
• Saturday: Rhiannon Giddens
• Saturday: Curly Strings

Shenkman Arts Centre

Here’s a look at what’s happening at the Shenkman Arts Centre this weekend.

• Saturday: Children of Aladdin – Le Jazz Hot Dance

613flea

613flea returns to Lansdowne on Saturday.

Visit over 150 vendors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Lansdowne Farmers Market

The Lansdowne Farmers Market is back at Lansdowne on Sunday.

Connect with over 85 local vendors in the historic Aberdeen Square from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Main Street Farmers Market

It’s the opening weekend for the Main Street Farmers Market.

The market is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grande Allee Park.

Carp Farmers Market

The Carp Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday is Maple Day, with opportunities to learn about maple syrup from local maple producers.

Metcalfe Farmers Market

The Metcalfe Farmers Market has kicked off a new season.

The market is every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds.

Westboro Farmers’ Market

The Westboro Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The market is located in Byron Linear Park.

Museums

Click on the links for the schedule at museums in Ottawa and eastern Ontario:

• Canadian Museum of Nature
• Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
• Canada Science and Technology Museum
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum
• Canadian War Museum
• Canadian Museum of History
• National Gallery of Canada
• Ottawa Art Gallery

Parliament of Canada Tours

Enjoy a free, guided tour of the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block and the East Block.

For tickets and tour times, visit https://rts.parl.ca/.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience

Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show that takes you on a tour through Centre Block, which has been closed since 2019.

The self-guided tour is 45 minutes.

Tickets are available at no cost at visit parl.ca.

Events Happening in Kingston this weekend

• Friday: ONES – The Beatles #1 Hits at the Kingston Grand Theatre
• Saturday: Soul of Motown at Kingston Grand Theatre
• Sunday: One Man, Three Legends at The Spire
• Sunday: Illumination Gala Performance at the Kingston Grand Theatre

Spring into Summer

The City of Kingston invites you to ‘Spring into Summer’ on Saturday.

Enjoy a day of activities, live music, food and fun, plus fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

The Spring into Summer event will be held at Lake Ontario Park from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Fort Henry

The Fort Henry National Historic Site opens for the season on Saturday.

The site is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Enjoy guided tours, artillery firing demonstrations and music of the regiment.

The Brockville Tunnel

The Brockville Railway Tunnel opens for the season this weekend.

The grand opening is Friday at 2 p.m., and the tunnel is open all weekend.

Take a walk through Canada’s first railway tunnel and enjoy the light and sound experience.

Kemptville Buskerfest

Enjoy a weekend of street performances in Kemptville.

The Kemptville Buskerfest is Friday night and Saturday in downtown Kemptville.

Free parking is available at the North Grenville Municipal Centre.