ByWard Market's Urban Tulip Experience
Get ready to be dazzled!
From May 10 to May 20, 2024, the ByWard Market District is about to explode into a riot of colors and festivities with its highly anticipated event, the ByWard Market Blooms. This 11-day extravaganza isn't just an event; it's an enchanting urban tulip experience like no other, seamlessly blending art, nature, and community spirit.
Imagine this: George Street Plaza transforms into a whimsical wonderland decked out with towering 8-foot-tall blooms, buzzing giant bees, and fluttering butterflies. Everywhere you look, every corner you turn, you're greeted with the graceful beauty of tulips overflowing from every planter. When the sun dips below the horizon, the magic doesn't fade – it takes on a whole new dimension. Step into a nocturnal world where bees and butterflies reign supreme, and watch in awe as tulips and "pollen" light up under the UV spectrum, creating a surreal pollinator's paradise.
But wait, there's more! Prepare to be spellbound by an array of chalk art adorning the ByWard Market Building, guiding you to the York Street Tulip Plaza. Here, amidst a whirlwind of activity, you can grab handy maps, treat yourself to official Canadian Tulip Festival merchandise, and even snag fresh-cut tulip bouquets to bring a piece of this floral fantasy home.
For the intrepid explorers among us, hop aboard the Official ByWard Market Hop On Hop Off Tulip Shuttle. Running daily from May 10 to 20, this tour offers a convenient and affordable way to traverse key stops, including iconic landmarks like the Chateau Laurier and the Main Festival Site at Commissioners Park.
The shuttle stops at:
- Lord Elgin Hotel
- Fairmont Chateau Laurier
- ByWard Market at the OTTAWA letters
- The Westin Ottawa
- The Metcalfe Hotel
- Canadian Tulip Festival at Commissioners Park
Weekdays, hourly. Weekends, every 45 minutes. Book now.
Make sure you circle the important dates on your calendar because you won't want to miss the special events that promise to take the festivities to stratospheric heights! To kick things off on Friday, May 10, the grand opening of the ByWard Market Blooms at the York Street Tulip Plaza. Then, on Sunday, May 12, celebrate Mother's Day in style amidst a kaleidoscope of local and regional flower farm vendors, live music, buskers, and chalk artists – an unforgettable experience for everyone.
But the pièce de résistance? That's reserved for Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Tulip Palooza! Brace yourself for the Pollinator Paradise Party from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., unfolding against the iconic OTTAWA Letters on York St. Get ready to groove to the beats of TIMEKODE & Friends, revel in the glow of "pollen" powder, and marvel at towering giant flowers – it's the ultimate flower funk extravaganza!
ByWard Market Blooms isn't just an event; it's a celebration of everything that makes Ottawa shine. So, whether you're a local or a visitor, clear your schedule and get ready to be swept away by the blooming splendor of the ByWard Market. After all, each petal tells a story of community, creativity, and boundless joy. Don't miss out!