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Remembrance Day commemorates those who have died serving the Canadian military. It’s held on Nov. 11 — a Wednesday this year — to mark the end of the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918.
While it’s a national holiday, Ontario and Quebec have not made it a provincial holiday.
Here’s some of what’s happening this year in Ottawa.
Ceremonies
The National Remembrance Day Ceremony begins around 10:30 a.m. at the National War Memorial on Elgin Street in the downtown.
It ends at 11:30 a.m. with a veteran march-past.
Road closures near the war memorial last from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. and include:
Elgin Street north of Laurier Avenue W.Wellington Street east of Bank Street.Daly Avenue west of Nicholas Street.Nicholas Street between Daly Avenue and Laurier Avenue W.The Queen Elizabeth Driveway north of Somerset Street.
The city invites people to check the Royal Canadian Legion’s website for smaller neighbourhood ceremonies.
Overhead, expect fighter jets to fly past around 11 a.m. and a helicopter at around 11:30 a.m. at the war memorial.
Members of the public place poppies at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider following the 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)
Shopping and attractions
A city bylaw requires many businesses to close from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Exceptions include smaller grocery stores and pharmacies, convenience stores, restaurants, hair salons and gas stations, though they may choose to close.
The Canadian War Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but an advance ticket is mandatory.
The Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada are open with free admission. The gallery opens at noon, later than ususal.
The agriculture, aviation, nature and science museums are also open with regular admission. So too is the Diefenbunker.
People walk among the graves as they make their way to a 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Services
Green bin, recycling and garbage collection are all unchanged the week of Remembrance Day.
All Ottawa Public Library branches and municipal child-care centres are closed on Wednesday.
City recreation facilities are open.
Ottawa Public Health
The Site mobile van will operate from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.The Sexual Health Clinic and satellite clinics will be closed, as are dental clinics.
Banks
Wednesday is a bank holiday and many branches are closed. There may be access to some ATMs.
Other services
City hall and client service centres at Ben Franklin Place, Peter D. Clark Place and the Cavanagh Sensplex are closed.The provincial court at 100 Constellation Dr. is also closed.The city’s 311 contact centre is open for urgent matters.
Second World War veteran Elmer Friesen, then age 103, poses for a photo after the 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters)
Getting around
Parking
All city parking rules apply.
Transit
OC Transpo is on a regular schedule, with detours around road closures. When safe, buses and trains will pause for two minutes of silence at 11 a.m.Veterans in uniform or wearing medals can ride OC Transpo, Para Transpo and Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) for free until Nov. 12, as can a companion. O-Train riders are asked to use video chat on ticket machines for their free ride.OC Transpo’s Rideau Centre customer service centre opens at 12:30 p.m.The OC Transpo lost and found at St-Laurent station will be closed.Para Transpo regular bookings are honoured. For the national ceremony, Para Transpo will be picking up and dropping off people on Queen Street east of Metcalfe Street.
A view north on Ottawa’s Elgin Street toward the National War Memorial after last year’s Remembrance Day ceremony. (Félix Desroches/CBC)