Join us on Tuesday, February 17th at 12:00 pm for a Heritage Day celebration back at Ottawa City Hall!
See invitationCelebrate Heritage Day! February 17, 2026 - Voices of a City: Celebrating Two Centuries of Collective Histories and Local Heroes in Ottawa.
Celebrate Heritage Day 2026! 
Join us for Heritage Day 2026 on February 17 at noon at Ottawa City Hall (Jean Pigott Place) for “Voices of a City: Celebrating Two Centuries of Collective Histories and Local Heroes in Ottawa.”
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Free In-Person Event at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue
This year’s event will feature the Heritage Showcase, volunteer recognition awards, and honour the Bytown Museum as our 2026 Proclamation recipient. Together, we’ll celebrate the people, places, and milestones that have shaped Ottawa’s story over the past two centuries, from its early days as Bytown to the vibrant, diverse city it is today. We want to see you bring Ottawa’s history to life! Come dressed in your most creative, authentic, and fun historic costume representing any era or local figure from our city’s past, your look will help make this celebration one to remember. Let’s fill City Hall with colour, character, and community spirit as we honor the voices and stories that continue to define Ottawa
Heritage Day 2026 Proclamation Recipient - Bytown Museum
The Bytown Museum traces its origins to the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa (WCHSO), founded in 1898 to preserve Canadian history and foster civic pride. Early activities included historical papers, meetings, and “Loan Exhibitions” featuring artefacts from private collections. In 1917, the WCHSO opened the Bytown Historical Museum in the former City Registry Office, laying the foundation for a permanent collection.
By the mid-20th century, the collection had outgrown its space. In 1951, the WCHSO secured the historic Commissariat Building (Ottawa’s oldest stone building) at the Ottawa Locks. After extensive repairs, the Bytown Museum officially opened there in 1952, continuing its mission to preserve and interpret Ottawa’s history. Today, the Museum has expanded its narrative to include Indigenous voices and the deep roots of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People along the Kichi Sìbì (Ottawa River). It explores the city’s evolution from a military canal project under Lt.-Col. John By in 1826 to the vibrant capital it is today.
Located between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rideau Canal, the Bytown Museum offers immersive exhibits, breathtaking views, and engaging programs that connect history, nature, and community.
The Bytown Museum serves both Ottawa’s local communities and visitors from across Canada and abroad. Through exhibitions, educational programs, public events, and community partnerships, aiming to deepen knowledge and inspire connection to the city’s heritage of diversity, transformation, and resilience. Their programming reflects a strong commitment to cultural representation, accessibility, and collaboration. From multilingual interpretation (English, French and Algonquin text panels) to a newly launched 10 language audio guide (including English, French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, Japanese, Anishinabemowin, Inuktitut, Arabic, and Ukrainian) aiming to create inclusive experiences for all. Their partnerships with diverse local heritage organizations and local businesses further reinforce this commitment. As they continue to evolve, they seek opportunities to grow their capacity, build meaningful partnerships, and expand the impact of culture and history in our community.
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.
