21 Canada Day events worth checking out in Toronto
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It’s one of the biggest birthday celebrations of the year: it’s almost time to bust out the red gear, Canadian flags, and beer and celebrate our home and native land in all of its glory.
On Sunday, July 1, Canada Day celebrations of all varieties will take over Toronto, offering the best excuse for a Sunday Funday.
Here are 21 Canada Day events worth checking out this year.
TD Toronto Jazz Festival
What: The TD Toronto Jazz Festival has grown to become one of North America’s premier jazz festivals and attracts some of the biggest names in jazz and blues. The festival sticks around for Canada Day, wrapping on July 1.
When: Now until July 1
Time: Varies by day
Where: Various locations
Price: Free to attend
Toronto Ribfest
What: If spending Canada Day mowing down on a saucy rack of ribs with a craft beer sounds about right, you’ll find no shortage of both at Ribfest. Other perks include live music, KidzZone activities, a massive mobile midway, a variety of daily activities, and Canada Day fireworks to music at 10 pm.
When: June 29 to July 2
Time: Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm; Monday, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Etobicoke Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Road
Price: Admission is free
Toronto Harbourfront Canada Day Weekend
What: For a Canada Day that’s rich with culture and history for the little ones, the weekend festivities at Harbourfront Centre offer the theme of “One Land, Many Nations.” Highlights include performances from Jully Black and Zak Ibrahim, among others.
When: June 29 to July 2
Time: All day
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Free
Canada Day at Queen’s Park
What: At Queen’s Park, you can expect a patriotic day of food and drink vendors, music and dance performances, roaming performers, face painting, kid-friendly games and a 21-gun salute at noon.
When: June 1
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Queen’s Park, 111 Wellesley Street West
Price: Free
Sailin’ Through the 6
What: Take part in Ontario’s biggest boat festival this Canada Day. Join thousands of Canadians on multiple boats syncing to one sound and one party to celebrate Canada’s birthday, complete with an epic fireworks show.
When: June 30
Time: 12:30 pm to 2 am
Where: 11 Polson Street and 333 Lakeshore Blvd East
Price: $30 plus tax
Electric Island Canada Day Party
What: Hanlan’s Point is plugged-in for the big Canada Day party with this massive high-energy concert and picnic, featuring no shortage of flag-waving hard partiers.
When: July 1
Time: 1 pm
Where: Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Island
Price: $55 plus tax
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Cabana Pool Bar – Red Party
What: In honour of Canada’s birthday, Cabana Pool Bar offers the chance to celebrate like you would in Vegas at their Canada Day Red Party. Make sure to wear red!
When: July 1
Time: 1 pm to 10 pm
Where: Cabana Pool Bar, 11 Polson Street
Price: $15
Canada Day at Canada’s Wonderland
What: Celebrate Canada’s birthday at Canada’s Wonderland. Attendees can expect acrobatic shows, street performers, live music, traditional Canadian food, an epic firework display, and all the rides.
When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive
Price: Adult day pass starts at $39.99
Downsview Park Canada Day Festival
What: Celebrate Canada’s birthday Downsview Park-style. Attendees will be able to partake in an action-packed day of festivities with rides, food, music, entertainment and of course, a grand firework display at dusk to end the day.
When: July 1
Time: 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Downsview Park, Downsview Park, Keele/Sheppard
Price: Free
Amesbury Park Canada Day Celebration
What: At the annual Amesbury Park Canada Day Celebration, you’ll find an exciting event lineup that’s complete with multicultural entertainment, a talent search, children’s activities, plus many interesting vendors.
When: July 1
Time: 9 am to 10 pm
Where: Amesbury Park, 1507 Lawrence Avenue West
Price: Admission is free
Multicultural Canada Day at Yonge-Dundas Square
What: The annual Multicultural Canada Day celebrations includes everything from a “Parade of Nations” and a massive singing of “O Canada,” to art, food and live performances from multicultural groups that showcase their diversity in all of their vibrant glory.
When: July 1
Time: 12 pm to 9 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East
Price: Free
Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square
What: If you’d rather stay clear of the downtown core this Canada Day, Mel Lastman Square will come alive all day for a family-friendly affair of eats and drinks, an eclectic assortment of live music, outdoor theatre, circus arts, and fireworks.
When: July 1
Time: 5 pm to 11 pm
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street
Price: Free
Mariposa Cocktail Cruise
What: Celebrate Canada Day in style aboard a Mariposa Cruises cocktail cruise as you take in the (extremely Instagram-worthy) sights of the city skyline.
When: July 1
Time: 7 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Mariposa Cruises, Pier 6 207 Queens Quay West
Price: $72.95 plus tax
Queen’s Plate Festival
What: The Queen’s Plate Festival wraps on Canada Day, but not without a free celebration. Guests can expect mini-Canadian flags, birthday cake, live music, an inflatable zone for kids, a beer garden, and Canadian-themed food at concession areas and more.
When: July 1
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Woodbine Race Track
Price: Tickets start at $30
CITE at The Bentway
What: The Bentway Skate Trail will officially open for the season with a summer-long celebration of skate culture, launching on June 30. A great use of public space, CITE is both an art installation and a skatepark, featuring sculptures that borders are free to ride on. Canada Day celebrations include DJ sets, skate demos, a beer garden, live graffiti, a meet and greet with pros, eats, and an open skate.
When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway Skate Trail, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Free
Mariposa Cruises
Canada Day at Fort York
What: The historic Fort York will host a day of celebrations for Canada Day, complete with talking points like flag raising and flag lowering ceremonies, demonstrations, drill activity, cooking demonstrations, and tours of the barracks and fortifications.
When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Fort York
Price: Free
Canada Day at Black Creek Pioneer Village
What: Grab the kiddos in your life and step back in time this Canada Day. At Black Creek Pioneer Village, you’ll find a 19th century carnival complete with fire jugglers, performers, live music, and good, a historic brewery, and old-fashioned carnival games. Admission is free on July 1.
When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village
Price: Free
Canada Day Weekend at the Rogers Centre
What: Canada Day presented by Honda takes over the Jays game on Sunday, July 1. Fans are encouraged to get to the ballpark early to take part in pre-game festivities that are sure to get you in the Canadian spirit. The first 20,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a Blue JaysRed Hat presented by Honda.
When: Sunday, July 1
Time: 7:07 pm
Where: Rogers Centre
Price: Tickets start at $19
East York Canada Day Celebration and Parade
What: Start the festivities with a parade beginning at Dieppe Park (455 Cosburn Avenue) that travels through East York, finishing at Stan Wadlow Park for a day of programming and festivities that end at dusk before the fireworks at 10 pm.
When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Stan Wadlow Park
Price: Free
Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay
What: End a day at the beach (or a day on the town) with a spectacular fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay Park
When: July 1
Time: 9:30 pm to 10:15 pm
Where: Ashbridges Bay Park
Price: Free
Canada D’eh! Party
What: For the night owls looking to party patriotically, this is a Canada Day party you won’t want to miss. After attending your afternoon activities in the city, head to Toronto’s Cake Night Club for an epic dance party and drinks so cheap you’d think you were back in university.
When: Saturday, July 30
Time: 10 pm
Where: Cake Bar & Night Club
Price: Free before 11 pm
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