By Jenn Reid
Happy birthday Canada! We're ringing in the big 150 this year and that's cause to celebrate. While there have been 150 events and exhibits all year long, that's going to be nothing compared to the excitement of Canada Day weekend. Check out the best Canada Day events and celebrations you don’t want to miss this July 1. [Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto]
Canada Day at Nathan Phillips Square
While Nathan Phillips Square usually has a Canada Day event, this year's festivities are promising to be over the top! The three-day festival features a concert stage with musicians like Barenaked Ladies and Ron Sexsmith with the TSO, followed by fireworks at sundown every night. Plus, you know you want your picture taken at the new, Canadian-ized Toronto sign!
Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square
North York's Mel Lastman Square celebrates Canada's diversity with music from Persian funk bands, Indigenous indie rock artists, Afro-Latin soul singers and more. There's also family-friendly activities like circus performances, food trucks and of course, fireworks.
Canada Day at Humber Bay Park West
Etobicoke's Canada Day event takes place right on the water and they take advantage of that with site-specific performances – aka a brass band performing from the water on a canoe. More unique performances come from artists like Basia Bulat and showcases from the Wavelength music festival. Fireworks at sundown.
Canada Day at the Scarborough Civic Centre
It's a day of music at the Scarborough Canada Day celebration, with performances from Taiwanese, South Asian, Nigerian, Jamaican and Chinese artists, in just about every genre you could imagine. There's also a series of public art events: add your masterpiece to a chalk wall or a painted mural of the Cedar Ridge Gardens.
Q107 Picnic at Woodbine Beach
Q107's annual Canada Day event takes over Woodbine Beach with classic rock performances. Cover bands will play the biggest hits from Bob Seger, Journey, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and U2, plus there’s midway rides and games for kids. The fireworks display at Ashbridge's Bay starts at dusk and is set to the music of AC/DC.
Ribfest at Centennial Park
It's a Toronto tradition to spend Canada Day weekend at Ribfest! The annual food festival is filled with all the BBQ and ribs you can eat, plus live music, entertainment and of course, fireworks at dusk.
Canada Day Festival at Downsview Park
Head up to Downsview Park to celebrate Canada with a mini-amusement park! There will be rides and entertainment, plus live music, food and more. The fireworks display at dusk should be a good one – in the past, Downsview's fireworks displays have been some of the biggest in the city!
Harbourfront Centre
The Harbourfront Centre celebrates Canada Day by highlighting the music, art and food of Indigenous Canadians. The family-friendly festival has games, arts and crafts, dance classes and more to check out, alongside musical performances from artists like Kinnie Starr and Digging Roots.
Multicultural Canada Day at Yonge-Dundas Square
The festivities kick off at Yonge-Dundas Square with the "Parade of Nations," where groups representing more than 20 countries march with traditional attire and music, celebrate the fabric of modern-day Canadians. Musicians hit the stage throughout the afternoon, and there's a 'Happy Birthday Canada' cake for all to enjoy.
Party like it's 1867 at Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village is going right back to Canada’s origins 150 years ago. The Canada Day festivities here are themed like a 19th Century carnival, with jugglers, strongmen, musicians, games and more. There’s also a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians and a birthday cake for the true North strong and free.
Canada Day at Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park, home to Ontario’s Legislature, isn’t normally a place you’d think to go for a party, but that changes on Canada Day. Queen’s Park has a massive celebration on July first, starting with a citizenship ceremony and 21-gun salute. After that, there’s musical performances on the main stage, plus roaming performers, children’s theatre performances on a separate stage, face painting, Canada trivia, arts and crafts workshops and more.
Canada Day East York Parade
Canada Day festivities kick off with the East York Parade at 10 am that weaves its way to Stan Wadlow Park. Events at the park includes musical performers, live entertainment and multicultural vendors, plus the pool is open! Fireworks end the night at approximately 10 pm.
You may have heard that the Toronto waterfront is getting a giant inflatable duck this summer – well, the Redpath Waterfront Festival is your chance to see it! The duck is afloat at HTO Park during the three-day festival, with free shuttles between it and Sherbourne Commons, where the Royal Canadian Navy will dock a 440-foot frigate. During the three-day fest, there are also artisan markets, a lumberjack show and dance performances.
Canada’s Wonderland
There is special Canada programming at Wonderland all month long for Canada 150! In between the rides and the splash park, guests can check out a lumberjack show, aerobatic performances, street performers and more. On Canada Day proper, there are special prizes and giveaways for guests wearing red to the park (chosen at random, so keep your eyes peeled!), plus a fireworks show at 10 pm.
------------------------------------------
More things to do on YP.ca
