This is a family event with something for everyone: amusement park rides; petting zoo; food, drink, and dessert concessions; buskers; children’s activities; and live musical performances.

The Details:

Where: Queen Juliana Park, at the corner of Carling Avenue and Preston Street (near Dow’s Lake)

Time: Opens at 10:00 a.m. on May 23rd and closes after the fireworks.

Fireworks display begins at 10:15 p.m.

Live musical performances at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Lots of free parking.

From the Canadian Tulip Festival website:

Music in the Tulips

Major Hills Park / Free Admission

May 6 – 23, Closed Monday May 9th and 16th

Talented musicians from coast to coast will serenade visitors in Major’s Hill Park. Here you’ll find a vast range of talented musicians of all ages and musical styles playing for you as you stroll among the tulip beds and take in some tulip festivities.

Artists in the Tulips

Commissioner’s Park and Major Hill Park / Free Admission

May 6 -23, Monday May 9th and 16th – Commissioner’s Park only

Ongoing throughout the festival enthusiastic local artists will take advantage of the show of tulips to capture their colour and beauty on canvas or paper at both Commissioners Park & Major’s Hill Park. Visit our Tulip Art Gallery at Major’s Hill Park where you can purchase works of art along the theme of Spring and Tulips created by our talented Artists in the Tulips.

Lego Community Garden for Kids

May 6 – 23, Closed Monday May 9th and 16th

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Major Hill Park / Admission: donation

The LEGO® Community Garden will be a feature throughout this year’s Canadian Tulip Festival. LEGO® Certified Professional Robin Sather will personally be on hand from May 6 – 8 building giant tulip bouquets and helping kids build a beautiful LEGO flower garden.

For more info on special events and activities taking place at the Canadian Tulip Festival, go to http://www.tulipfestival.ca/

The Ottawa International Children’s Festival is an annual 5 day celebration of the best in live performing arts for children ages 4 to 15. For decades, it has been  attracting award-winning artists from around the globe. There are several different shows to pick from.  You can follow the link below to see this year’s line-up.

The Details:

Where: Lebreton Flats

When: June 1 – June 5, 2011

Tickets are on sale now. Call the box office (613) 241-0999 [9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday - Friday]

I recommend calling early. Tickets sell out fast!

For more information go to http://ottawachildrensfestival.ca/home/