CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ONTARIO
By Natalie Thursday, June 22, 2023
As we approach July 1st, the excitement for Canada Day is building up across the province. Ontario, known for its rich history, diverse culture, and breathtaking landscapes, is gearing up for a memorable celebration this year. Get ready for a day filled with joy, pride, and festivities that showcase the true spirit of Canada! Ontario is proud to present an array of events and festivities that will bring communities together to commemorate this special day. Here are a few highlights!
GTA
Head to the waterfront, locals will be treated to an entire lineup of free concerts at the Harbourfront Centre on Canada Day weekend to kick off their summer programming. The lineup includes a free concert by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra featuring Broadway star Jewelle Blackman and performances by JUNO award-winning rock band The Strumbellas, Crystal Shawanda, the Toronto All-Star Big Band, and many more! Plus, the area will be “bustling with art, comedy, food, and activities for kids” all weekend long. In Woodbine Park, get ready to rock your red and white at the Q107 Canada Day Weekend! Kicking off on Friday, June 30th until Saturday, July 1st join in for loads of food, Kids Zone with arts and crafts, Beer Garden and of course great music featuring Q107 Rock & Roll Tributes to the best bands in the world. The weekend finishes with Toronto’s largest fireworks display from Ashbridges Bay, set to a “live” set of amazing Rock! Grab the family for a day of fun at Richmond Green Park in Richmond Hill. With a full day of live entertainment including performances by Kardinal Offishal, a beer garden, one of the largest fireworks displays in the region, an artist exhibit, lots of food, midway and more. In Vaughan, join the fun for Canada’s birthday celebration at Canada’s Wonderland, showcasing live music, fireworks, authentic Canadian food, street performers, and more! All Canada Celebrations are included in your park admission! Wave your flag in the heart of Mississauga at this year’s Canada Day celebration. Enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks finale!
NIAGARA
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Niagara Falls while celebrating Canada Day. The Falls will be illuminated in the red and white colors of the Canadian flag, creating a mesmerizing sight. Don’t miss the thrilling fireworks spectacle synchronized to music, making it a truly unforgettable experience. In liue of the Canada Day parade, Join in at Firemen’s Park, (2275 Dorchester Road) for a free Canada Day Celebration festival. Enjoy live music & entertainment, interactive kids shows, all-ages activities, food, vendors, inflatables, and more! With shuttle busses to get you to and from the event. Welland is hosting a celebration of all things Canadian — with music, hockey, food trucks, fireworks and more. Join in the fun at Merritt Park with fireworks starting at 10 p.m. In Lincoln, celebrate with their Canada Day Festival featuring tons of family fun including button making, face-painting, inflatable axe-throwing, Lincoln Fire Rescue, Lincoln Museum & Cultural Centre, food vendors, live music and fireworks!
NORTHERN ON
Show your community spirit at Party in the Park / Canada Day celebrations at the Waterfront Park in Ear Falls from June 30- July 1st. Enjoy a live music event on the Waterfront Stage on the evening prior to Canada Day. Canada Day celebrations are held mid-day on July 1st at the Waterfront Park with fireworks that evening. In Sudbury, Canada Day celebrations kick off at Bell Park with a free kids zone, food trucks and a live ticketed concert featuring Tom Cochrane. In Parry Sound, head to the Stockley Centre for a three-day ribfest and Canada Day celebration! Come hungry to try all the ribs, different food vendors, get beer from the beer garden and enjoy a free concert! Lastly. Science North’s spectacular Canada Day Family Celebration is back for another year to celebrate with free daytime fun, including live entertainment, kids activities, cool science, a stunning firework display and a whole lot more!
SOUTHWESTERN ON
Canada Day in Amherstburg is an event you don’t want to miss! July 1st will be filled outdoor activities, food trucks, splash pad, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks finale for the entire family! In Hamilton, It’s Your Festival Celebrates Canada Day, July 1-3rd with a full lineup of live music including Julie Black. Shop at the many unique vendors and kids can enjoy the Family Fun Zone children’s stage. In owen Sound, The Sound Waterfront Festival will be a two-day multi-cultural event featuring arts, entertainment, music, education, history, fireworks, and more! The Night Market and Canada Day celebrations in London is an interactive festival kicking off on the eve of Canada Day including entertainment from local artists, street performers, local food and drink vendors.
EASTERN ON
Artfest Kingston takes place July 1-3rd in beautiful City Park. This free event includes 150+ artists exhibiting paintings, pottery, woodcraft, glass art, metal arts, jewellery, clothing, gourmet food, bodycare, candles and more! In Gananoque, celebrate Canada Day weekend at the 1000 Islands Family Ribfest & Musical Festival on from June 30 – July 2nd with great food, beer, music, events and more! Entry is two dollars per person and children are free. In Quinte West celebrate Canada’s birthday on July 1st with free fun activities for the whole family at Centennial Park. Activities include falconry demonstrations, live music and dance performances, reptile zoo, vendors village, food trucks, fireworks and more!
CENTRAL ON
Wear your best red and white gear and join in for a day of fun in the heart of the Blue Mountain Village where you will find a variety of activities for the whole family plus Mountaintop fireworks! There will be live music, groove dancing for all ages, circus performers and a scavenger hunt! Head to Meridian Place in downtown Barrie for a fun day full of family-friendly programming, including busker performances, live entertainment, a variety of vendors, belly dancing and a Canadian Wildlife display. The big finale kicks off at 10pm with a spectacular firework show visible from multiple vantage points along the waterfront.
OTTAWA
In Ottawa, the heart of the nation’s capital will come alive with an extraordinary lineup of activities. Witness the grand flag-raising ceremony, enjoy live musical performances by renowned artists, and marvel at the stunning fireworks display lighting up the night sky. If you’re in the Barrhaven area celebrate Canada Day with live Bands, Midway, Kidz Zone, Multiple Entertainment Stages, Family/Seniors Breakfast, Artisans, And Many Food Vendors. For some good old fashioned fun, Stittsville will also have tons free family friendly activities including free face painting and free glow sticks, wagon rides, lawn games, live bands and a DJ, a magic show, a bubble show, high flying aerial performers, ice cream, Rays Reptiles, a petting zoo, alpacas and llamas, an international food court & the best fireworks display in West Ottawa!
Canada Day is a time to celebrate the diverse fabric of our nation and the accomplishments that make us proud to be Canadian. Let’s come together, embrace the spirit of unity, and create lasting memories on this special day!
Wishing you a joyful and memorable Canada Day celebration!
Natalie