CANADA DAY IN THE CITY
Concerts, festivals, fireworks: A smorgasbord of celebrations for our 150th birthday,
Canada’s birthday is extra special this year, and there’s a lot more to do during the Canada Day long weekend to celebrate Canada 150.
There are concerts, festivals and all kinds of performances from Canadian talent taking place across the GTA. Almost every park will have fireworks.
The City of Toronto is hosting a four-day celebration at Nathan Phillips Square packed with Canadian artists and a fireworks show each night.
Headliners include Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies, Buffy Sainte-Marie, R&B duo dvsn, Shad K and Belly.
Nathan Phillips Square For four days, Canadian artists will perform on multiple stages set up around Nathan Phillips Square, followed by fireworks. Date: June 30 to July 3. Time: Afternoon to 11 p.m. Price: Free admission
Mel Lastman Square At Mel Lastman Square there will be musical performances all day including hip-hop crew Busty and the Bass, the Lytics, DJ Nav, followed by fireworks. Date: July 1. Time: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Price: Free admission
Humber Bay Park West Canada Day celebrations will also take place at Humber Bay Park West. The free concerts include folksinger Basia Bulat, indie band Most People and the Heavyweights Brass Band. The night also ends with fireworks. Date: July 1. Time: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Price: Free admission
Scarborough Civic Centre At the Scarborough Civic Centre there will be performances by indie, reggae and hip-hop artists, including rappers Deen Squad and Horsepowar. The evening ends with fireworks. Date: July 1. Time: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Price: Free admission
The Redpath Waterfront Festival The Redpath Waterfront Festival is a three-day celebration that includes entertainment, activities, food and drink as well as the world’s largest rubber duck. There will also be a shuttle running between the two parks. Date: July 1 to July 3. Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Place: Sherbourne Common and HTO Park Price: Free admission
Yonge-Dundas Square The celebrations start at 10 a.m. with the Parade of Nations at Yonge and Bloor Sts. The parade participants include about 1,500 participants from more than 20 multicultural groups. The parade will travel down Yonge St. to Yonge-Dundas Square where there will be performances until 9 p.m. Date: July 1. Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Price: Free admission
National Aboriginal Day To celebrate National Aboriginal Day there will be a five-day festival featuring Indigenous and Métis culture at the Fort York National Historic Site. Each day there will be music, theatre, storytelling and educational programs. Date: June 21 to 25. Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Place: Fort York National Historic Site Price: Free admission on June 21 to 23, $5 evening events (free for children12 and under) on June 24, $5 on June 25
Parks Canada Parks Canada is hosting a three-day event at various parks throughout the GTA where attendees can enjoy the scenery and participate in some of the Canada 150 themed activities. Date: July 1 to 3. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Place: Bob Hunter Memorial Park, Zoo Road Welcome Area, Beare Road Wetland Area, Reesor North Welcome Area, Rouge Beach, Glen Rouge Campground Area Price: Free admission
CN Tower fireworks display Fireworks will be set off near the CN Tower at about 10:30 p.m. Date: July 1. Time: 10:30 p.m. Price: Free
Steam Whistle Brewing Steam Whistle Brewing, in partnership with the Hudson Bay Company, will be celebrating with live music, a maple-glazed-bacon-donut-eating contest, a Caesar bar and Canada’s premium Pilsner. Date: July 1. Time: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Price: Free admission (food and drink extra)
Blue Jays At the Rogers Centre, the Toronto Blue Jays host two games against the Boston Red Sox on July 1 and 2. There will be family activities at the ballpark from 9 to 11 a.m. The first 20,000 fans will receive a red replica Blue Jays hat on July 1 and a Blue Jays & Canada 150 commemorative baseball presented by Rogers on July 2.
Queen’s Park Festivities start at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony followed by multiple performances, a family fun stage and Canada trivia. Date: July 1. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Price: Free admission
Harbourfront Centre On Canada Day weekend Our Home on Native Land will feature Indigenous and newcomer Canadian art on the land known as Turtle Island. The event aims to spark conversations about what it means to be Canadian. On July 1 the performances will be followed by fireworks. Date: June 30 to July 3 Price: Free admission
Q107 Canada Day Picnic At Woodbine Park there will be Q107 rock ’n’ roll tributes to Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, U2, Foreigner and Elton John. The celebration will end with fireworks and a tribute to AC/ DC. Date: July 1. Time: 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Place: Woodbine Park Price: Free admission
Toronto Rib Fest This year Toronto Rib Fest will have extra celebrations and more fireworks. The festivities start Friday when participants are invited to take the Oath of Citizenship. Date: June 30 to July 3 Time: June 30 to July 2 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 3 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Place: Etobicoke Centennial Park
The Royal Ontario Museum The ROM will host a free event with live performances, activities and access to some of their permanent galleries. Date: July1. Time:10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Celebration Square At Celebration Square in Mississauga there will be performances including Juno award winner K’naan, Neon Dreams and DJ Shub. The evening will end off with fireworks at 10 p.m. Date: July1. Time: 2 p.m. to10:30 p.m. Price: Free admission
Boyd Conservation Area The city of Vaughn is hosting a Canada 150 celebration at the Boyd Conservation Area. Coleman Hell will headline the event. Other performances include Eric Ethridge and Michelle Treacy. Activities will also include midway rides and inflatable, face painting, a laser, show and more. Date: July 1. Time: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Price: Free
Port Credit Memorial Park The celebrations begin with a parade across Lakeshore Rd. E. followed by children’s activities, musical performances and fireworks. Date: July 1 to 2 Time: July 1 from 11 a.m. to 10:15 p.m., July 2 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Price: Free admission
Streetsville Family activities begin at 6 p.m. at Streetsville Village Square and end with fireworks at Streetsville Memorial Park. Date: July 1. Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Place: Streetsville Village Square and Streetsville Memorial Park Price: Free admission
Churchill Meadows Community Common Peel Region radio personality Randy Persaud will host the event that features local performers and family activities. Date: July 1. Time: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Price: Free admission