Where to celebrate this Canada Day outside of Ottawa
There will be numerous other 150th birthday celebrations going on in every part of the country
Canada’s 150th birthday is coming up quickly. It promises to be one heckuva party, so if you haven’t already booked that great concert or figured out where to watch the fireworks, you might want to start.
Ottawa will be jumping, and probably a little crowded. So here’s a look at what’s happening in other parts of the country on the Canada Day weekend.
VANCOUVER
Here at home, Canada Place will be the focal point for a massive Canada Day party. Musical performers include Sam Roberts and Emerson Drive. There’s also a downtown Vancouver parade and a “multi-community” fireworks extravaganza that officials say will be visible all over the Lower Mainland. If you’d rather be in a more natural setting on the big day, check out the activities on nearby Grouse Mountain, including a hockey puck shootout and axe-throwing. You also can sip a cold one in the beer and barbecue garden. As if that’s not enough, you also can check out an ongoing spectacle that illustrates the magical migration of Pacific salmon; a free art and film event that will be beamed under the north end of the Cambie Street Bridge starting June 28. (uninterrupted.ca)
MONTREAL
Not only is it Canada’s 150th, but it’s also 50 years since Expo 67, the World’s Fair in Montreal. They’ll mark the occasion with a grand fireworks and music display that features everything from cabaret to reggae at La Ronde at Jean-Drapeau Park. Fireworks are by Panzera-Rozzi.
KINGSTON, ONT.
Kick things off on the big day by dressing up in your finest red-and-white costume for an 11:30 a.m. parade. Head down to the water to watch red-and-white bedecked boats do a sailpast, then check out the live music scene, Ferris Wheel, wagon rides and 10 p.m. fireworks.
EDMONTON
The Blues on Whyte Block Party on Whyte Avenue features three bands and a DJ in the beer gardens on June 30. On July 2, wake up with a free pancake breakfast while rocking out to nine bands on three stages. Sarah McLachlan plays at the new Rogers Place on July 1. The Fairmont Macdonald Hotel’s Confederation Lounge will offer a special Canada 150 menu and drinks on Canada Day, as well as bocce ball and other games. They’ll finish things off with a fireworks show coordinated with a light show on the High Level Bridge.
WINNIPEG
Canad Inns Family Fun Day in Assiniboine Park starts at 1 p.m. with events and activities for kids and families, plus musical entertainment. The night is finished off with a “spectacular fireworks display set to music.” Down at The Forks in central Winnipeg, visitors can expect lots of free, family-friendly programming on five stages. A powwow and indigenous storytelling will take place at the Oodena Celebration Circle. The Festival Stage shows begins at 5 p.m. with 11 performers, including the band Whitehorse and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. A display from Archangel Fireworks will be set off at 11 p.m.
REGINA
Sure, there are fireworks and community events. But the big thing is that Canada Day marks the first regular-season CFL game at the new, $278-million Mosaic Stadium, the gleaming new home of the much beloved (and then some) Saskatchewan Roughriders. Expect plenty of carved watermelon helmets and more than a few crazed fans in green and white.
NEW BRUNSWICK
In Moncton, the Canada Day concert begins at 4 p.m. and includes local Acadian legends Bois Joli, Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea and more. Check out Riverfront Park in downtown Moncton for the best seats for fireworks.
TORONTO
The CN Tower will celebrate our big day with a fireworks show starting at 10:30 p.m. The Blue Jays will give a red replica Jays hat to the first 20,000 fans in attendance on July 1, and a Blue Jays and Canada 150 commemorative baseball on July 2. Concerts will be held on Canada Day at Nathan Phillips Square at Toronto City Hall and other locations. Acts include Ron Sexsmith and Barenaked Ladies.
HALIFAX
Celebrate the big day at the historic Halifax Citadel. Things get started with the firing of the city’s iconic noon gun, followed by a 21-gun salute. They’ll have choirs, bands, performances by the 78th Highlanders and more. You can even get a piece of Canada birthday cake served by a member of the Highlanders! Also, check out the military Canada Day Parade in town.
CALGARY
Look for daylong celebrations at Fort Calgary including a petting zoo for kids, a historic North West Mounted Police patrol camp and band and a food truck caravan. Some 4,000 Calgarians also will form a giant human flag. On the music side, look for 1,500 guitarists to meet up at Olympic Plaza to play the iconic Four Strong Winds by Ian Tyson, who now calls Alberta home. Calgary’s Tegan and Sara will headline a concert on Riverfront Avenue.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
There’s no better way to welcome Canada’s birthday on P.E.I. than heading up to Skinner’s Pond to take part in the opening of the new Stompin’ Tom Connors Centre. The legendary Canadian performer, who wrote such beloved tunes as The Hockey Song grew up in this small community in northwest P.E.I. Down in Charlottetown, the birthplace of Confederation, they’ll be featuring a Tall Ships regatta, a cultural artisan pop-up market, special Confederation Centre performances honouring our country and much more.