Cities across the country will be marking Canada’s 157th birthday with family activities, concerts, fireworks, and more. Here’s where to find Canada Day activities in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
Ottawa
One of the biggest celebrations in the country will be in the Capital Region, with festivities being held at various venues, including Parliament Hill, LeBreton Flats Park, and Old Hull.On Parliament Hill, visitors can see the 75 and 742 Air Cadets Squadrons Band perform, as well as the Ceremonial Guard Band and the Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums. At 1 p.m., the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will perform its Canada Day centennial flypast with an aerial demonstration, which includes the SkyHawks‘ aerobatic parachute show. Visitors can also enjoy an air show by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds later in the afternoon.
LeBreton Flats Park will host various activities and performances, including bracelet making, Bigfoot soccer, interactive GoGo squeeZ games, and a chance to get into the cockpit of a CF-18 Hornet. The RCAF will appear for a flypast, and attendees can celebrate the day with performances from Canadian artists. The event wraps up with Canada Day fireworks at 10 p.m.
Family-friendly activities will be going on in Ottawa’s Old Hull, including giant-sized games, bouncy castles, face painting, and a dance area with a DJ.
Toronto
Starting at 9 a.m., festivities at Toronto’s Thomson Memorial Park get underway with a free pancake breakfast and the opening ceremony. Live music and performances will be held throughout the day, with family activities like craft making, face painting, magic shows, bouncy castles, and an artisan marketplace scattered around the area.The day wraps up with a fireworks show at 10 p.m., and spectators can gather at Ashbridges Bay, Centennial Park (Etobicoke), Milliken Park, and Stan Wadlow Park.
Montreal
Canada Day in Montreal will kick off at the Clock Tower Quay in the Old Port district of the city. It will get underway at 1:30 p.m. with a 21-gun salute, followed by a swearing-in ceremony of new Canadians.Artists will perform throughout the day, alongside activities like a giant playground, inflatable games, face painting, and First Nations workshops. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the Draw Canada workshop to put their vision of the country on paper. Parks Canada will also be on hand with games about Canadian wildlife and an interactive wall for everyone. The event will close with a fireworks show at 10 p.m.
Vancouver
Celebrations will be scattered around the Vancouver area with events being held at John Lawson Park in West Vancouver, The Shipyards in North Vancouver, and at Canada Place at the Port of Vancouver for the “Canada Together“ celebration. This year marks the 38th annual event at Canada Place, which has historically been the largest Canada Day celebration outside Ottawa.
Musical performances will be held on the main stage at Canada Place, with a kids’ zone offering fun for younger visitors like a dance party and indigenous storytelling. Another zone will have displays and fun activities to learn more about the Port of Vancouver. A variety of food trucks will be along Canada Place Way, adding a multicultural taste to the event.
There will be no fireworks to wrap up at Canada Place, but other cities in the Lower Mainland will be hosting pyrotechnic shows, including Burnaby, Abbotsford, White Rock, and Port Coquitlam.
In West Vancouver, a Canada Day official ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. followed by performances by the West Vancouver Youth Bank and an evening performance by the band Groove & Tonic. A kids’ zone will be set up from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The North Shore Canada Day celebrations will be held at The Shipyards from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a variety of performances by local artists and bands. Kids’ games and activities will also be available in the area and the splash park at the site will be open. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of food trucks and community exhibits showcasing different local organizations and groups.
