Join us on Tuesday, February 20th at 12:00 pm for a Heritage Day celebration back at Ottawa City Hall!
Celebrate Heritage Day with the theme “Diversity of heritage – recognizing the past and celebrating the future”.
As Ottawa grows as a city it’s important to recognize the many communities who influence its culture and history. Some histories are just starting to be told, while community members have been carrying these stories for generations. Others are more well known, but can still be approached from different perspectives and through new lenses.
Our local heritage groups work tirelessly to balance truth-telling of untold histories with the celebration and pride of their cultural traditions. From educational programming to festivals, film screenings to exhibitions, these diverse stories have been elevated to their proper place in the cultural history of Ottawa thanks to the perseverance of heritage advocates.
Stay tuned for more updates in 2024!
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Why celebrate Heritage Day? Canada’s collective story is told through our special places, whether they are historic buildings or sites, archives, libraries, museums, commercial mainstreets or districts, places of faith, industrial areas, or natural or cultural landscapes.
Our shared heritage and histories in all forms has the power to bring people together and create a sense of belonging. Gathering places like town squares, and pow wow grounds, and cultural objects such as artefacts, regalia and family memorabilia are tangible touchstones with the past that can root us in place and nourish the spirit. Intangible heritage – languages, traditional rituals, music, dance, storytelling and more – is at the heart of family and community.
Heritage Day is also a chance to recognize the contributions of the many dedicated staff and volunteers promoting heritage conservation and educating the public about our city’s history. Gathering places like museums, and cultural objects such as artefacts and memorabilia are tangible touchstones with the past that can root us in place and nourish the spirit; and intangible heritage – such as traditions, storytelling and more – is at the heart of family and community.
In celebration of our past and our future, we encourage all – young and old, deeply rooted or new to Canada and its Capital – to visit heritage destinations, cultural landscapes and centres, and connect with traditional knowledge keepers, educators, parents and grandparents to experience heritage on Heritage Day and beyond. Find out how heritage is being celebrated in your community; and learn about services offered by local heritage organizations, public programs and special initiatives, as well as professional development and volunteer opportunities.
Join Capital Heritage Connexion in partnership with the City of Ottawa Cultural and Heritage Programs and Spaces Branch and embrace, explore and enjoy your heritage places and experiences in Canada’s Capital during Heritage Week February 20 to 26, 2024 and throughout the year!
View Photos (Heritage Day 2023)
Check out photos and videos from past Heritage Days below:
Heritage Day 2022
Heritage Day 2021
In addition, in order to recognize the tenacity and true grit exhibited by Capital Heritage Connexion Members during these COVID challenged times at Heritage Day 2021, we gathered a collection of their Stories of Resiliency.
View Photos (Heritage Day 2020)
View Photos (Heritage Day 2019)
View Photos (Heritage Day 2018)