Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa

The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place every year in May in Ottawa, showcasing the beauty of tulips. It proudly claims the title of the world's largest tulip festival, captivating more than one million tulips and attracting over 500,000 visitors annually.

Stunning arrangements of tulips are strategically planted throughout the city, with the most magnificent display located in Commissioners Park, nestled by Dow's Lake and along the picturesque Rideau Canal, boasting a staggering 300,000 tulips.

Beyond the vibrant tulip exhibits, the festival delights attendees with music performances, captivating speakers, and enticing exhibits showcasing international cuisine.

In a remarkable gesture of gratitude, the Dutch royal family sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa in 1945. This generous act was to express their appreciation for the shelter and support provided by the Canadians to Princess Juliana and her daughters during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in the Second World War.

A momentous event during their stay in Canada was the birth of Princess Margriet to Princess Juliana at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1943. To ensure her nationality remained solely Dutch, the maternity ward was temporarily declared an international territory. This significant occasion led to Juliana's subsequent donation of 20,500 tulip bulbs in 1946, with a promise to send an additional 10,000 bulbs each year.

Over time, Ottawa's tulips gained international acclaim, and in 1953, the Ottawa Board of Trade and photographer Malak Karsh joined forces to organize the inaugural "Canadian Tulip Festival." The festival's popularity soared, and it welcomed Queen Juliana back in 1967 to partake in the celebration. Princess Margriet also returned in 2002 to commemorate the festival's 50th anniversary, adding to its grandeur and historical significance.