Don’t fret the low dollar: Make your trip Canadian
The must-see events across the country this year
The combination of a falling dollar and lower gas prices means a lot of Canadians will be staying closer to home this year. Fortunately, there is no shortage of things to do and places to visit in this country. To help you plan your Canadian vacation, we reached out to provincial tourism representatives to ask them what they thought were the must-see events in 2015. Here’s a province-by-province list of recommendations.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Vancouver is hosting several FIFA Women’s World Cup matches this summer, including the gold-medal game. Those games are sure to bring in a lot of visitors, but the biggest happening in the province is not a sporting event or a festival. It’s the opening of the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, a sprawling, $30 million edifice that will house part of the extensive collection of Michael Audain, a Vancouver real-estate magnate and philanthropist. His collection includes works from Emily Carr, Bill Reid and E.J. Hughes. It’s expected to open in the fall. (audainartmuseum.com)
ALBERTA
For more than a century, the Calgary Stampede has been a celebration of Calgary’s Western heritage, its community spirit and its pride of place. Chuckwagon races, pancake breakfasts and Stetsons are the order of the day when you come for the Stampede (July 3-12). (calgarystampede.com)
SASKATCHEWAN
It may not be the world’s largest country music festival, but the Craven Country Jamboree bills itself as the world’s greatest. Held July 9 to 12 in the village of Craven, the festival has a lineup of big-name country stars, old-time legends and up-and-coming acts. (cravencountryjamboree.com)
MANITOBA
The province has its share of festivals and events to draw visitors, but the must-visit attraction in 2015 is the newest: the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. It opened last September, and this stunning museum has already won recognition for its daring architecture and innovative displays . (humanrights.ca)
ONTARIO
It may be a while before the summer Olympics come to Canada, but the next best thing is coming to Toronto and surrounding southern Ontario communities in July. Athletes from throughout the Americas will compete in the Pan Am and Para Pan Am Games. (toronto2015.org)
QUEBEC
Montreal is known as the birthplace of Cirque du soleil. What people may not realize is that the city hosts other circus troupes, has a dedicated circus venue and is even home to the National Circus School. These groups came together to create an annual circus festival, Montréal Complètement Cirque, and t his year’s version will be held from July 2 to 12. (montrealcirquefest.com)
NEW BRUNSWICK
The Acadian Festival and Tintamarre is an amazing celebration of Acadian culture. It is held each August in the “Coeur de l’Acadie,” Caraquet. This year’s event runs Aug. 1 to 15. (festivalacadien.ca)
NOVA SCOTIA
Cape Breton is home to the Celtic Colours International Festival, an annual celebration of the island’s Celtic heritage. It is held in communities throughout Cape Breton. Since the festival is held in the autumn (Oct. 9 to 17), visitors get to enjoy the stunning fall colours . (Celtic-colours.com)
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Canada’s smallest province is big on food, and it highlights its culinary expertise in its annual P.E.I. Fall Flavours Festival (Sept. 7 to Oct. 4). The festival attracts celebrity chefs and foodies of all types. (fallflavours.ca)
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
From July 31 to August 10, St. John’s welcomes folks from away with a four major festivals: the George Street Festival, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, the Downtown Buskers Festival and the Royal St. John’s Regatta. (stjohnstime.ca)