10 Ways to Celebrate Canada Day in the GTA
By Jen Taylor on Jun 30, 2015
Canada’s turning 148 this year and there are tons of events taking place around the city for you and your family. Whether you’re looking for a great fireworks display, live music, good food, or a chance to take in some of the nation’s history - Toronto’s got you covered. This year, celebrate the nation’s birthday in and around Toronto with these Canada Day festivities:
- Head to the Harbourfront Canada Day Extravaganza
Harbourfront will be hosting a family-friendly Canada Day Extravaganza. This free birthday bash features exhibits that celebrate Canada and its people, landmarks, and iconography. Check out the Trans-Canada Road Trip exhibit inspired by our very own Trans-Canada Highway, browse the Lake View Market for Canadian goods, grab a bite to eat in the World Cafe, and catch some performances by artists from across Canada. Don’t miss the OLG Canada Eve Fireworks on Monday June 30th at 10:40pm. This display will feature a 20 minute 2-barge fireworks display set to music on Toronto’s waterfront. The best part about this celebration is that all events are totally free!
- Celebrate in Mel Lastman Square
The City of Toronto is hosting a huge party in Mel Lastman Square featuring live performances, free face painting, and fireworks. The festivities will begin at 5 pm with the Zero Gravity Circus, followed by live performances by acapella group After Hours, jazz and blues inspired Jay Douglas & The All Stars, and the salsa band Lula All Stars. The night will end at 10:15 pm with a fireworks finale.
- Pancake Breakfast in Thomson Park
For those who don’t want to make it a late night, head to Scarborough’s annual Canada Day celebration in Thomson Park for a free pancake breakfast. This event will also feature free entertainment, a craft show, buskers, and bouncy inflatables for the kids. The breakfast kicks off at 10 am and runs until 4 pm when the annual Canada parade kicks off at the Scarborough Civic Centre.
- Ribfest!
Foodies and carnivores should check out the 16th annual Toronto Ribfest (top image), and kick off the summer with some tasty food and live music. The festival runs from 11 am to 11 pm and features 14 professional ribbers, tons of live music, a Kid Zone, and midway rides. Don’t forget to hit up the demo stage and learn how to BBQ pizza, make fish tacos, cook up some jerk chicken, or create a bacon explosion. The best part is that 100% of all funds raised from Toronto Ribfest go straight to supporting humanitarian organizations around the world.
- Musket Firings at Fort York
The Fort York National Historic Site will be open on July 1st and history buffs can watch the Fort York Guard start the summer season with musket firings, demonstrations, guard inspections, and fife and drum performances. The guard inspection, music and musket demonstrations take place every hour on the hour and guided tours will also be available for those interested in learning about the history of the old western entrance into Toronto harbour. The event is completely free thanks to a grant from the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
- Kick off the summer at Canada’s Wonderland
Take the family out to Canada’s Wonderland and spend the day riding Behemoth or cooling off at Splash Works. At night, the park will feature an epic fireworks display featuring 6,000 fireworks and “Fire Divers who will light up the sky as they dive off Wonder Mountain into the Royal Fountain.” This spectacular fireworks display will kick off at 10 pm just before the park closes.
- Party at Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park won’t be missing out on the festivities - they’ll be kicking off festivities at noon with a 21-gun salute, followed by a rocket-making workshop, performances from Canadian beatbox champion Scott Jackson and the Jungle Book Circus, a rock climbing wall, a mad science station, face painting, midway rides, and crafts. Admission is totally free and festivities run from 10 am to 5 pm.
- Q107 Picnic & Music Fest at Woodbine Park
Q107 is hosting their annual Canada Day picnic at Woodbine Park. This giant music fest will feature live bands playing tribute to some of rock’s legends including Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Aerosmith, and KISS. Make sure to stop by the Mill Street beer garden (but only after you’ve taken your turn on the midway rides). The party starts at noon and ends at night with one of Toronto’s largest firework displays.
- Pan Am performances in Yonge-Dundas Square
The Community Folk Art Council of Toronto is hosting the 9th Annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration at Yonge-Dundas Square. The event is in partnership with the Pan Am Games and will feature music and dance groups from the Pan American countries. The square will also host an international arts, crafts, and food market. Admission is free and festivities start around noon.
- Spectacular Fireworks at Downsview Park
If you're just looking for some good ol’ fashioned fireworks. Downsview Park will be hosting a show from dusk (approximately 10 pm to 10:30 pm). The optimal place to view the fireworks show is in the Meadow or on Festival Terrace. Parking is free and the site is easily accessed by TTC and the 101 Downsview Park bus service from Downsview Station.
Toronto comes alive in the summer and Canada Day festivities are a great way to get outside and start the summer with friends and family. Don’t forget, the City of Toronto’s parks, beaches, outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, and splash pads will all be open on July 1st and are a great way to spend time with the family and cool off (weather permitting). Also, if you’re planning to host your own Canada Day party this year but don’t have the backyard space, consider renting a fire pit in one of Toronto’s city parks. The City has a number of fire pits available at a reasonable cost with an easily obtainable permit. These pits are a great way to enjoy the city’s park space and maybe roast a few marshmallows.
Happy Canada Day everyone! Be safe and have fun!
