Best Places to Watch the Grands Feux Fireworks in Ottawa (Updated 2026)

Every August, the Grands Feux fireworks make a colourful appearance on the Ottawa and Gatineau skyline. The official event is held at the Museum of History in Gatineau, featuring a captivating firework show synchronized with music. There are food trucks, drinks, buskers, and more to enjoy alongside the official show: a fantastical firework show that is coordinated with music. With six shows scheduled, this event is a must-see. Whether you want free views, the best photography spots, or tickets to the official Museum of History event, this guide covers everything you need to know.

This year, the show is on from July 29 to August 15, 2026.

Quick Facts About Grands Feux Ottawa

• Location: Museum of History, Gatineau
• Dates: July 29–August 15, 2026
• Time: Fireworks start at approximately 9:20 PM
• Cost: $21.00 + free viewing spots available
• Best for Photography: Corktown Footbridge
• Best Family Spot: Major’s Hill Park
• Official Website: Grands Feux du Casino

This Year’s Schedule

Date	Theme/ Country	Time	Where to Watch
Wednesday, July 29, 2026	Opening Night	Doors open 6 pm Show around 9-9:20 pm	Kìwekì Point
Saturday, August 1, 2026	Canada	Doors open 6 pm Show around 9-9:20 pm	Mackenzie King Bridge
Wednesday, August 5, 2026	France	Doors open 6 pm Show around 9-9:20 pm	Major’s Hill Park
Saturday, August 8, 2026	Brazil	Doors open 6 pm Show around 9-9:20 pm	Macdonald Cartier Bridge
Wednesday, August 12, 2026	China	Doors open 6 pm Show around 9-9:20 pm	National Gallery of Canada
Saturday, August 15, 2026	Grand Finale	Doors open 6 pm Show around 9-9:20 pm	Museum of History

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Where to watch the fireworks show

Museum of History – Best Spot Overall

The best location to watch the show is the official venue: the Museum of History in Gatineau. Not only are the fireworks meant to be seen from the museum, the venue plays the music that accompanies the light show. It makes for a spectacular evening out!

Tickets are available online only, and prices range from $21.00 (general admission) to $41.00 (reserved seat) for adults. The entertainment starts at the museum at 6 pm, and it’s definitely worth it to get there early. For a general admission ticket, I recommend bringing a chair or a blanket to set up on! Note that tripods are prohibited without a media pass.

Mackenzie King Bridge or Corktown Footbridge – Best View with Chateau Laurier

My second favourite location to see the Grands Feux Fireworks is from one of the bridges along the Rideau Canal. The Mackenzie King Bridge, located near Rideau Mall, offers a prime view of the fireworks with Parliament Hill and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in the backdrop. The Corktown Footbridge is a little further south, but still with an amazing view. The two photos below were taken during the finale from the Corktown Footbridge. I recommend getting to the bridge around 8 pm to grab a spot and set up your tripod.

Macdonald Cartier Bridge – No Crowd Spot

For a less crowded but equally stunning view, head to the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. From here, you can see the fireworks with boats on the Ottawa River and the Alexandra Bridge in the foreground. For the best view of Parliament Hill, position yourself closer to the Gatineau side of the bridge. This location is ideal for a relaxed evening with a camping chair. If you want somewhere without a huge crowd, this is the spot to be!

Richmond Landing and Portage Bridge – Western Viewing Point

To the west, you’ll find Richmond Landing and the Portage Bridge. Richmond Landing and Portage Bridge offer excellent views of the fireworks over the Ottawa River. Richmond Landing is particularly good for capturing the crowd with fireworks in the background.

Major’s Hill Park – Best Spot for Families and Kids

There is a plethora of vantage points in Major’s Hill Park to both watch and take photos of the fireworks from. Whether you stand by the railing or sit back in the park, you can capture stunning images with either the water or park scenery in the foreground.

Kìwekì Point (formerly Nepean Point) – Closest Viewing Location

This spot just re-opened in 2025, and it’s a great spot to watch the fireworks! I saw them here recently. With a wide-angle lens, you can capture close-up shots of the fireworks and the surrounding area. Note: you’re SO close to the fireworks, you can expect to feel the vibrations from the explosion of fireworks in your chest, and you will get ash/soot on you! But, bring a blanket or some chairs and set up to see the fireworks basically over your head.

Émilie’s Terrace (formerly La Terrasse) – Best Vibes

The Fairmont Chateau Laurier has an outdoor patio called Émilie’s Terrace, and it looks out over the Rideau Locks and the Museum of History. If you can get there early and grab a table by the edge you can get some great shots!

National Gallery of Canada and Maman Statue – Iconic Captures

Another favourite of mine, and typically less busy than other locations, is the Maman Statue outside the National Gallery of Canada. If you stand in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral, you can get a view of the Maman Statue and National Gallery lit from behind by the fireworks. Bring a zoom lens to light up the rotunda and see the fireworks through the glass.

Fun fact: There are six bronze casts of the Maman statue around the world, one of them in front of the National Gallery here in Ottawa! Created by French-American sculptor Louise Bourgeois, it symbolizes both the protective, nurturing nature of motherhood and the clever, industrious traits of weaving and tapestry repair.

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Tips for taking fireworks photos

To take photos of fireworks, you’re going to want to take long exposure photos. Long exposure photography is a technique that involves capturing a single image over an extended period of time. I.e. the shutter is open for longer. To do this, you need a camera and a tripod. A remote shutter is also very useful, to avoid small movements when taking the photo.

When you set up your tripod, don’t pull the centre column up all the way – make sure there is a little hanging below. This increases the stability for your camera and helps your photos stay sharp.

Grands Feux Fireworks Photos Checklist

1. Use a sturdy tripod, and avoid extending the center column fully for stability.
2. Use a remote shutter (if you have one). A cable release is even better to help with Bulb mode (see No. 7).
3. You can use Noise Reduction, but that does take time between shots so be mindful of the timing.
4. Shoot in RAW, if you can.
5. Use a low ISO (100 or 200 should be good).
6. A good aperture is about f/11, but feel free to play around with it.
7. Most blogs recommend setting the camera to Bulb (B) (instead of choosing a shutter speed). This does help you to expose for the entire fireworks burst, but I personally have difficulty with my remote shutter for this. You’ll want to at least use a longer shutter speed for most of the show, and a very short shutter speed for the finale. You’ll risk blowing out your photo otherwise.
8. Manually focus your lens at infinity, preferrably when there’s still light out. Auto focus will have to refocus every time and it will likely blur your photo.

Creative Photo Ideas

Don’t just take photos of the fireworks: add some additional interest to your photo! Try a cocktail glass at Émilie’s Terrace in the foreground and bokeh fireworks in the background. Or, focus on the fireworks with a blurred person (or crowd!) in the foreground. Play around with Photoshop and superimpose a photo of the fireworks on your phone. Try various vantage points around the city for variety! Try a stop motion video to create some interest. Please credit the creators you find inspiration from. If one of the photos, or videos, in this post inspires you, please tag me on social media!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Time Do the Grands Feux Fireworks Start?

Doors to the event at the museum open at 6 pm. There’s typically live music, food trucks, drinks and fun stuff for the kiddos! The show starts around 9:20 pm, so you’ll want to arrive to your viewing spot around 8 pm regardless!

Are the Grands Feux Fireworks Free?

The event at the museum requires a ticket, but you can see the fireworks across multiple locations in Ottawa and Gatineau.

Where to Park for Grands Feux Ottawa

Parking is available at the museum for a fee, or you can park on nearby streets or walk across the bridge if you park/live downtown.

What Happens if it Rains?

The event takes place rain or shine, unless severe weather requires postponing the event. Umbrellas are NOT permitted, so wear your raincoat! More info is on their website.

How Long is the Fireworks Show?

The show is about 25 minutes.

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