Sure, I'll give it five stars. So what if Canada's most-important government landmark turns into a Disneyland spectacle every night?!? Lights, music, and fog machines - oh my!! Anyway, you just walk up to Parliament Hill 15 minutes or so before it starts (start times posted on their webpage), find a good spot to sit on the grass, and wait for the show to start. Bring a picnic blanket or something if you like ... if it's rained recently, the grass might not be too nice. The entire front face of the Parliament Building is the screen for this culture-infused video/light show that is Mosaika. It was somehow politically charged. I'm not too good with symbolism in the arts, but the European hand kept taking stuff from the First Nations hand, and gave very little in return. Plus there was a lot of French-English controversy. and no Asian representation. Spoiler alert: it all ends happily? Somehow all these differences come together through lights and music to form a happy Canada today. Also, there was a turtle involved somehow. I will admit that it got very very very very awkward at the end when people started to stand up and sing "O Canada!" I was just kicked back on the grass chillin, and I didn't know what to do. but hey, all this for a grand total of zero dollars!! It's definitely worth the cost of free, and that's why it gets five stars! read more

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This is a trippy patriotic offering at Parliament Hill from July to September. The 30 minute shows are free, twice a night and with seating available anywhere on the lawn, including some bleachers. The Sound and Light Show mainly attracts tourists and families, but I often see many different people out at the show. It basically feels like a crazy, amped up Cliff's Notes version of elementary school social studies. You can't help but get drawn into the energy and feel happy you're able to partake in something like this on Parliament Hill's lawn. Obviously, there are parts where you feel like you're partaking in a bit of propaganda, so take the show with a grain of salt. Actually, the last time I went, the show was usurped by a couple of protesters, including one who peed on the building. I guess it offered a balance through extremes? Anyway, I would definitely recommend this free offering to anyone looking to do something a bit stereotypically Ottawa (capital of Canada, not city of Ottawa). It's a good time, energizing and kinda weird/funny. read more

Northern Lights - photo from their website - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

A MUST SEE WHILE IN OTTAWA!! Such a great FREE & NIGHTLY summer show!! Fireworks display beforehand - around 9pm (at least when we were there - on a Wednesday in August)!! Educational and beautiful!! Highly recommend!! Oh, and bring a blanket to sit on! read more

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The other reviewers are right about the coolness (and freeness, and every-nightness) of the show. The technology is indeed really, really cool. Lots of great moments. I especially like the projections that mirror (and then distort) the architecture of the building so that It looks like the windows are popping up or as though Parliament Hill has been re-vamped by the Ikea Children's Furniture designer. Downside. The script is boring. Like it was written by mid-level droogs at the Department of Canadian Heritage. "The National Conversation." Really? That's what grabs an audience? All we needed was a monologue by 25-foot CBC editorialist (think Rex Murphy, not the cooler Rick Mercer) to really make us think of Grade 5 social studies class. But with lasers. Bring the family that's visiting from Thunder Bay. Try for the free street parking on Albert or Slater. The World Exchange, free on the weekend, seems like a good idea, until you are waiting for the parking garage elevator with 500 other people. Check the website as start times vary. read more

I shed a tear the first time I saw this show and then proceeded to watch it 4 or 5 more times that year. 100% worth getting their early, bringing a blanket and hanging out before the show. Go and enjoy it because who knows how long they will fund these awesome projects. read more

This light show was spectacular. It was like a mushroom trip, with all the lights and narration driving us through the history of Canada. The graphics were extremely well done, the pace was great, and we were kept interested for the entire 30 minutes. I never wanted it to stop. It's cool that this would be broadcast ON the Parliament, every night of the summer. It was a great introduction to Canada for me, this was the first night my first night in the country. read more

Absolute must. The park is gorgeous at night- slight breeze, the show was great. Everyone can enjoy in some capacity.

Wow this show was breath taking. It was the most advanced light show I've ever seen. The story transitioned very smoothly. They also used extremely advanced projectors to project the images onto the parliament building. It reminded me of some of the history classes in high school. I can say that I am a proud Canadian! read more

Five stars, I was debating putting 4 stars but I could not find something wrong with this show. It was absolutely amazing, it's free, and fun for everyone in the family to watch. Great summer activity. read more

This was a amazing thing to watch. I loved it. Butttttttt I haven't seen it yet so I don't actually know if it's good or bad. So . And thx please like and subscribe @batman27. Hope this was awesomely helpful broskies. And hope this was extremely helpful. Remember like and subscribe. Adios amigos read more

It was a history lesson, with splashy colors and lights that dazzled and distracted me too easily for me to pay too much attention to the talk sometimes. Certainly a lovely way to spend an evening and not spend a dime, the show represented for me a clever use of the gorgeous façade of the Parliament building and to talk about Canada at the same time without being jingoistic. I know some Yelpers expressed slight dismay that Northern Lights is patriotic in theme. Of course and why not! Did you expect a different episode of Hannibal TV series each night(though I wouldn't mind!)? You are in the capital of Canada and the lights are projected onto Parliament so it's natural that the show is going to be talk up Canada. I can say I was entertained but honestly don't remember much of the history because I was so enthralled with the images and how they were perfectly projected onto the building. At the end, I heard and saw many people clapping and I am sure they were Canadians, proud of their country. The show draws crowds but since the outer grounds of Parliament are so vast, you will surely find a spot whether you come with a crowd or alone. The show for the most part starts on time, and the grounds are comfortable to sit on, though you might want to bring a paper or a blanket. Some people came with chairs. The area is well patrolled by police but the crowd is mellow, so it's more likely their presence is due to the tragic October 2014 incident. read more

It was a little brisk the night we went but I was able to cuddle with my girlfriend so it all worked out. Remember to bring a blanket if it is chilly. The show was amazing and worth the effort. Especially for free! read more

Wow - I was very impressed. We went on a Tuesday night in September and there was still quite a crowd. Bringing folding lawn chairs was a good idea. I was impressed by the show; not only was it a great light show but it was really interesting going back in history. I was really impressed. read more

Monday August 22nd 2011. The show is great and we always make it a point to bring our guests/visitors from out of town/country so they better appreciate the Canadian spirit & history. On this particular evening, a somewhat sad day due to the passing of Mr Jack Layton (NDP opposition leader in Parliament), there was a vigil where in about 10% of the people were gathered near the perpetual flame, some with candles etc.. However there was a total lack of professionalism on the part of the NCC responsible officers for conducting the show. Their non chalance in appropriately informing the thousands of ''tourists'' awaiting the 9:30 show went like this: 9:15 the show will begin in just 15 minitutes at 9;30. At 9:40 much of the crowd were clapping hands to somehow awaken the responsible show people. At 9:45 they announced the show will begin at 10:00 o'clock (contrary to a half hour ago). I asked an NCC representative at the site why the delay, he simply said because of the vigil for Mr Layton. NONSENSE when considering the preposted time everywhere -- the gathering of thousands of people for Mosaika (the vigil was on from hours before). There was absolutely no explanation provided (on the loud speaker) as to why the change to 10 o'clock -- waiting an extra 1/2 hour is very annoying and leaves you wondering about the effectiveness of organised events by the NCC -- 4 stars only. read more