How to Enjoy Tim Horton’s Canada Day Fireworks in 2025
Canada Day has a history almost as long as the country itself.
July 1st became a day of celebration for Canadians in 1868, only one year after the Constitution Act was finalized in 1867.
July 1st was celebrated as Dominion Day until 1982, when the holiday was renamed Canada Day.
Canada Day is an occasion for Canadians to celebrate the country's unique heritage and culture at home and abroad.
It’s frequently compared to our neighbor next door’s 4th of July or Independence Day as a celebration of national pride, and they do share some traditions in common.
One is barbeques and beers with family and friends.
The second is massive fireworks displays!
This year, the federal government has partnered with a true Canadian institution to celebrate the nation’s 158th birthday.
Tim Hortons — better known as Timmys to most Canucks — is officially presenting Canada Day Fireworks in our nation’s capital in 2025 and elsewhere across the country.
In this guide, you’ll learn where you and your people can enjoy the display and level up your celebration for the ultimate Canada Day experience in 2025.
Where Can I Watch the Tim Horton’s Fireworks on Canada Day?
Tim Horton’s Canada Day Fireworks take place in LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa from 10 pm to 10:15 pm (ET) on July 1st, 2025.
The Canada Day National Evening Show — including the fireworks display — starts at 8 pm in the park and is also broadcast live nationwide on the CBC and ICI Télé (in Quebec).
LaBreton Flats Park is located in downtown Ottawa/Gatineau, and the fireworks cap off a full day of celebrations in the capital and across the nation.
Here are the best places to take in the fireworks display in person.
LaBreton Flats Park
What better place to enjoy the Canada Day Fireworks than the park where the display takes place?
Labreton Flats Park is located in the heart of downtown Ottawa/Gatineau. It’s a popular location for festivals and can accommodate over 40,000 people for events like Canada Day.
The park is well served by public transport and is located near the O-Train Line 1 Pimisi Station.
Paid parking is available at the Canadian War Museum and neighbouring streets, but make sure to check for scheduled road closures on Canada Day.
It’s also easily reachable by bike on the Ottawa River Pathway.
Canada Day national celebrations in LaBreton Flats Park kick off at 12 pm on July 1st with the National Noon Ceremony.
Despite being able to accommodate tens of thousands of people, the Park can fill up quickly on Canada Day.
It’s best to get there early with your blanket and picnic essentials and stake your claim for an ideal spot to take in the National Evening Show and the Tim Hortons fireworks display.
Thanks to LaBreton Flats Park's central location, there are plenty of other places to enjoy the fireworks if the crowds are too big on the day.
Downtown Ottawa/Gatineau
The entire downtown neighbourhood of Ottawa/Gatineau will be hosting Canada Day events throughout the day.
If you’re planning on viewing the fireworks from downtown, be sure to choose a location with a clear line of sight.
Parliament Hill
You won’t be able to see the fireworks directly from here, but you can watch all the Canada Day festivities on massive screens live throughout the day and night.
Supreme Court of Canada Lawn
Similar to Parliament Hill, crowds will gather on the Supreme Court lawn to enjoy the celebrations live on big screen TVs. Both are solid options if you’re concerned about big crowds in LaBreton Flats Park on Canada Day.
Old Hull
Old Hull in Gatineau is hosting family-friendly events on the Laval Street pedestrian precinct throughout Canada Day.
It’s directly across the river from Parliament Hill and offers many unobstructed views of the Canada Day fireworks display.
Voyageurs Pathway
The Voyageurs Pathway is a series of footpaths and trails that stretches along both the Ontario (Ottawa) and Quebec (Gatineau) sides of the Ottawa River.
It offers many unobstructed vantage points to view the Canada Day fireworks near the downtown area.
The view is particularly iconic on the Quebec side of the river as the fireworks burst with Parliament Hill as a backdrop. Parc du Lac-Leamy and Jacques Cartier Park are both popular locations where people can relax and enjoy the display.
On the Ontario side of the river, sites near the Parliament Building and between the National Gallery and Alexandra Bridge are excellent viewing locations.
Portage Bridge
The Portage Bridge (Port du Portage) spans the Ottawa River and connects downtown Ottawa and Gatineau. Its pedestrian and cycling trails offer a spectacular elevated view of the Tim Hortons Canada Day fireworks display. Be sure to arrive early, the bridge is very crowded on Canada Day.
(Source: Interzip)
Zibi Grounds (near Interzip Rogers)
Zibi is a massive new 34-acre planned community that straddles the Ottawa River with developments in both downtown Ottawa and Gatineau.
Interzip Rogers is the “world’s first interprovincial zip line”. It offers thrill seekers the unique experience of zipping across the Ottawa River from the Zibi waterfront community grounds in Gatineau and Ottawa.
Unfortunately, Interzip doesn’t offer zip line rides at night, but there are other places in Zibi to watch the fireworks from, particularly on the Gatineau side of the waterfront.
Tunneys Pasture
Tunney's Pasture is primarily an office complex but it does have numerous green spaces that are open to the public.
It’s typically less crowded on Canada Day than downtown, but it’s also further away from the fireworks display.
If you’re really not into crowds, Tunney’s Pasture could be a viable option, it’s convenient and easy to reach by the O-Train.
Ottawa River Boat Cruise
Not surprisingly, Ottawa River boat cruises are a popular way to watch the Tim Horton’s Canada Day Fireworks Display.
Tickets can be pricey and frequently sell out months in advance, so make sure to book early if you want to see the show from the water.
What to Pack for the Tim Horton’s Canada Day Fireworks
Canadian pride is arguably at an all time high in this “elbows up” moment and there’s reason to expect that this year’s celebrations will be even more well-attended than usual all over the country.
Whether you’re celebrating Canada Day at the official event in Ottawa or elsewhere across the country, preparing for a long day and night of partying will help make the most of the day, especially in locations in close proximity to fireworks displays.
Here’s what you need to pack.
Food & Drink
Concessions are available in many locations, but food and drink prices can be extortionate at best.
You’re far better bringing off your own refreshments and food, but keeping them cool can be easier said than done if you’re joining the festivities early in the day to secure a spot to watch the fireworks at night.
EcoFlow’s Glacier Classic Portable Refrigerator + Freezer can keep all your Canada Day snacks and beverages cold for up to 43 hours off-grid.
With size options of 35L, 45L, and 55L, Glacier can keep up to 90 cans of your favorite beer or pop icy cold for days.
You can even store frozen and cold food together simultaneously with dual-zone flexibility.
EcoFlow Glacier Classic not only takes your Canada Day celebrations to the next level, it’s ideal for off-grid adventures year-round, from cottaging to car camping.
Power & Tech
The fireworks in Ottawa don’t start until 10 p.m., but if you want to secure a good spot to watch them, it’s going to be a long Canada Day.
EcoFlow’s RIVER 3 portable power stations can help keep all your friends and family’s personal devices like phones, tablets, and laptops running all day and night.
The last thing you want is to miss out on all the photo ops because your batteries died early in the day.
If you just need to keep your phone charged, EcoFlow’s Rapid Power Banks are an affordable, compact option.
By planning ahead with smart portable power and tech, you can really get the most out of Canada Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Canadians Celebrate Canada Day?
Canadians have been celebrating the country’s national holiday on July 1st since 1868, one year after the country was born with the Constitution Act in 1867. Originally called Dominion Day, it was renamed Canada Day in 1982 at the same time the country patriated the Canadian constitution, gaining full independence from Parliament in the UK. Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday in Canada and is celebrated by Canadians worldwide.
Do Canadians Do Fireworks for Canada Day?
Yes. Similar to Independence Day on the 4th of July in the United States, large-scale public and private fireworks displays have long been part of national celebrations for Canada Day. The official federal Canada Day celebrations take place annually in the downtown Ottawa/Gatineau area, close to the Parliament Buildings. In 2025, the Tim Hortons Canada Day Fireworks are held in LaBreton Flats Park and are visible from many vantage points on either side of the Ottawa River. Most major cities and towns across Canada have their own fireworks displays.
What Time Do the Canada Day Fireworks Start?
The Tim Hortons Canada Day Fireworks in 2025 start at 10 pm in LaBreton Flats Park in downtown Ottawa/Gatineau near the Parliament buildings. Most other major cities and towns across Canada have their own fireworks displays, and times vary. The Tim Hortons display occurs at the end of a long day of festivities in the nation’s capital that starts at 12 pm on July 1st, including musical performances and other cultural events.
Final Thoughts
In the “Elbows Up” environment of 2025, there are more reasons than ever to celebrate our country’s unique history and identity this Canada Day.
Whether you’re watching the fireworks in Ottawa, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, or anywhere in between, EcoFlow has a wide variety of Smart Devices and portable power stations to help you make the most of Canada Day in 2025 and for many years to come.
Check out our selection today and have a safe and Happy Canada Day!