Catch the buzz from coast to coast
From Whistler Blackcomb’s 50th to hockey’s World Cup, 2016 will be a lively year in Canada
From a new centre in Prince Edward Island celebrating Stompin’ Tom Connors to a new art gallery in Whistler, there is no shortage of excellent events, happenings and openings across Canada in 2016. Here are some things you might want to catch in the new year:
BRITISH COLUMBIA
It’s the 50th anniversary of Whistler Blackcomb (whistlerblackcomb.com/) and not content to rely on snow to make its mark, Whistler is home to the new Audain Art Museum, slated to open early in 2016 and displaying selected works from Vancouver home-builder Michael Audain and his wife, Yoshiko Karasawa. audainartmuseum.com.
ALBERTA
Things are booming in Calgary’s East Village, where the new national music centre is set to open, plus the city’s Pigeonhole (pigeonholeyyc.ca/#modal) restaurant was recently named the country’s best eatery by enRoute magazine. Not to be outdone by its rival to the south, the folks in Edmonton next fall should be celebrating the new Rogers Place arena in time for the start of Connor McDavid’s — I mean the Edmonton Oilers’ — 2016-17 season. While there, check out fun area restaurants like the Mercer Tavern.
MANITOBA
Winnipeg has been riding high of late with the successful and beautiful Museum for Human Rights, a super-fun polar bear conservation centre in one of the nation’s prettiest urban parks and the return of the Winnipeg Jets. The McPhillips Station Casino in Winnipeg is supposed to begin a $45-million redevelopment next spring.
SASKATCHEWAN
A new Marriott hotel is due to open on Preston Avenue as Saskatoon continues to expand its hotel offerings. It’s a wonderful city with great restaurants such as Ayden Kitchen and Bar and fun cultural offerings such as Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan. The annual Regina Folk Festival is always a hit. The 2016 version runs Aug. 5-7. reginafolkfestival.com.
ONTARIO
The focus will be on sports in the province’s capital as Toronto will host the NBA All-Star Game, the World Cup of Hockey and the Grey Cup, not to mention this coming season being the 40th for the Toronto Blue Jays. On a different note, the 2016 Pride Toronto Festival will host its first-ever Pride Month in Canada in June and the CN Tower will be celebrating its 40th anniversary on June 26 (cntower.ca/intro.html). Ottawa is gearing up for a big year in 2017, which will be Canada’s 150th birthday, while Canada’s first Andaz Hotel will open in the nation’s capital in 2016.
QUEBEC
Au Sommet Place Ville Marie is a new observatory in downtown Montreal set to open in February, featuring gallery space with a high-tech interactive experience focused on historical and contemporary Montreal, plus a rooftop terrace and bistro. Expect several new hotels, including the 11-storey Marriott Renaissance in January (montrealenhistoires.com), while the Mount Stephen Hotel is set to open prior to the city’s wildly popular Formula One Grand Prix event. Foodies are excited by the scheduled fall opening of L’Atelier Montreal de Joel Robuchon at the Casino de Montreal.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
A new Stompin’ Tom Connors tribute attraction is slated to open on Canada Day in the town of Skinners Pond, where the legendary Canadian singer grew up. The old schoolhouse he attended is being renovated and opened for tours, as is the family home. They will have a café and entertainment space for today’s foot-stomping musicians to sing their own tunes and pay homage to the man behind such famous tunes as The Good Old Hockey Game and Sudbury Saturday Night.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Look for tons of great festivals in 2016. The Dine Around Freddy fest is great for restaurant discounts in Fredericton and is held from Jan .21 to Feb .6(tourism frederic ton. ca/ en/ things to do/ FROST iv al Dine Around Fred dy. asp ). Prefer something more lowkey? Try the Fredericton Poutine Festival, slated for April 6.
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
I was lucky enough to catch part of the Writers at Woody Point Festival in western Newfoundland last summer. It was sensational, with authors such as Margaret Atwood as well as host Ron MacLean and superb local musicians. The 2016 version goes Aug. 16-21 (http://www.writersatwoodypoint.com). The Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues Festival in St. John’s has grown by leaps and bounds and is a top-notch event. The 2015 event was held in September (wreckhousejazzandblues.com).
NOVA SCOTIA
There was limited play last year at Cabot Cliffs (cabotlinks.com/golf/cabot-cliffs), the drop-dead gorgeous 18-hole layout in Cape Breton and sister course to the renowned Cabot Links course. Look for a full opening sometime in June if things go to plan.