22 FREE Canada Day events in Toronto to check out this year
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With Canada Day in Toronto right around the corner, we wanted to ensure you can still celebrate all things Canadian without breaking the bank.
This July 1, come and celebrate our nation’s 150th birthday in style at one of the many free events taking place in the city.
These are the top free Canada Day 150 events and celebrations happening in Toronto.
TD Toronto Jazz Festival
What: The TD Toronto Jazz Festival has come to be recognized as one of North America’s premier jazz festival and has attracted some of the biggest names in jazz and blues. This Canada Day, there’s ten free concerts to check out, just head over to the event website for full lineup and locations.
Where: Various locations throughout the city
When: Now until July 2
Canada Days at Nathan Phillips Square
What: Canada Days at Nathan Phillips Square will bring Canada’s rich cultural fabric to life through an incredible mix of music, dance, circus, and street arts. There will be performances from the Barenaked Ladies, Belly, Buffy Saint-Marie, Ron Sexsmith & TSO + Ron Cousins, and much more.
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West
When: June 30 to July 3
Toronto Harbourfront Canada Day Weekend
What: If you’re looking to enjoy a Canada Day that’s rich with culture and history for the little ones, the festivities at Harbourfront Centre celebrate the creative contributions of Indigenous and new Canadians.
Where: Harbourfront Centre; 235 Queens Quay West
When: June 30 to July 3
Toronto Ribfest
What: If nothing says “Canada Day” to you more than a saucy rack of ribs, you’ll find no shortage at Ribfest. In addition to two stages with live music all day, perks for the kids include free KidzZone activities, a massive mobile midway and a variety of daily activities.
Where: Etobicoke Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Road
When: June 30 to Monday, July 3
Canada Day Picnic
What: Join MP Carolyn Bennett and community groups for a fun family-friendly Canada Day celebration. There’ll be live music, family activities, main floor tours and much more.
Where: Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Road
When: July 1, 11 am to 5 pm
Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square
What: Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with hundreds of others at Mel Lastman Square. The event will highlight urban music and culture from Toronto, Canada, and the world through Persian funk, Indigenous hip hop and indie rock, and Afro-Latin soul. There will also be dance performances, family filled activities, and an amazing firework display.
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street
When: July 1, 2 pm to 11 pm
ROM Free Admission Day
What: In celebration of Canada 150, the ROM is opening its doors to all visitors with free admission to the Museum’s permanent galleries and select special exhibitions. There will also be a series of live performances and activities for the entire family.
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park
When: July 1, 10 am to 5:30 pm
See also
- 11 places to watch Canada Day fireworks in Toronto
- These are the best family-friendly Canada Day events in Toronto
- 71 amazing events and festivals in Toronto to tackle this summer
Canada Day at Fort York
What: If you’re looking to embrace the history of Canada’s past, come and celebrate Canada Day at Fort York. Here you’ll find musket drills, tours of the fort, music, face painting, hula hooping and much more.
Where: Fort York Historical Site, 250 Fort York Blvd.
When: July 1, 10 am to 5 pm
Humber Bay Park West Celebrations
What: If you’re looking to dance with the kiddos to a day packed full of music, you’ll find it at Humber Bay Park West. You can expect sounds inspired by the rich cultures of the surrounding Etobicoke area and to end the day with a fireworks display.
Where: Humber Bay Park West, 2225 Lakeshore Blvd. West
When: July 1, 2 pm to 11 pm
Canada Days at Scarborough Civic Centre
What: If you’re looking to dance this Canada Day, make sure to head to Scarborough Civic Centre for Canada Days. This multi-stage event will feature performances by local, national and international music acts from desert blues, Taiwanese indie, and electronica to legends of reggae and South Asian hip hop that will get everyone on their feet. There will also be a family activity zone and a hospitality area offering food and beverage will be available for the public throughout the day. A spectacular fireworks finale at 10:55 pm will end the night.
Where: Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive
When: July 1, 2 pm to 11 pm
Canadian Hip-Hop Duo Deen Squad Performance
What: Viral sensation and Canadian-Muslim hip-hop duo Deen Squad will be performing at Canaday Days in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. The influential rap duo from Ottawa combines the raw essence of urban hip-hop with the core tenets of spiritual values, breaking the stereotypes with being Muslim in the contemporary world.
Where: Scarborough Civic Centre Main Stage, 150 Borough Drive
When: July 1, 10:10 pm to 11 pm
Amesbury Park Canada Day Celebration
What: You’re invited to attend the 34th Annual Amesbury Park Canada Day Celebration! Here you’ll find an exciting event lineup that’s complete with a talent search, strong man’s show, multicultural entertainment, children’s activities, plus many interesting vendors. This is going to be an event that you surely won’t want to miss.
Where: Amesbury Park, 1507 Lawrence Avenue West
When: July 1, 9 am to 10 pm
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.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East
When: July 1, 12 pm to 9 pm
East York Canada Day
What: Come and enjoy a full day of celebrations in East York and enjoy lots of music and of course, some wicked fireworks to end the day.
Where: Stan Wadlow Park, 373 Cedarvale Avenue
When: 10:45 am to 9 pm
Pride of Canada Carousel
What: What could be more Canadian than spending the 150th Birthday of Canada on the Pride of Canada Carousel which has 44 unique characters portraying Canadian animals, culture, and history. There’ll also be face painting and balloon twisting activities for little ones.
Where: Pride of Canada Carousel, 8080 Birchmount Road
When: July 1, 12 pm to 5 pm
True North, Strong & Free: Canadian Citizenship in Toronto
What: Discover the meaning and importance of Canadian citizenship on this free guided tour through downtown. The walk features engaging stories about key symbols of Canadian identity and notable figures who shaped Toronto’s diversity and built the country we know today.
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West
When: Jul1, 1:30 pm to 3 pm
Canada Day at Queen’s Park
What: Bring the entire family to this annual Canada Day celebration where there’s something to do for everyone. Activities include music and dance performances, roaming performers, games, children’s activities, such as face-painting and arts and crafts.
Where: Queen’s Park, 111 Wellesley Street West
When: July 1, 10 am to 10 pm
Downsview Park Canada Day Festival
What: Come and celebrate Canada’s 150th 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.
Where: Downsview Park, Downsview Park, Keele/Sheppard
When: July 1, 11 am to 10 pm
Canada Day at High Park
What: Colborne Lodge and the High Park Nature Centre will be joining M.P. Arif Virani celebrate Canada 150 in the community.
Where: North End of High Park at the Forest School, 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
When: July 1, 12 pm to 5 pm
CN Tower fireworks
What: Come and celebrate Canada’s 150th, with a huge firework show in the heart of downtown Toronto. The show begins at 10:30 pm with a 30-second light show, followed by five minutes of fireworks set to Canadian music that will end with another fantastic light show.
Where: CN Tower
When: July 1, 10:30 pm
Canada Day at Black Creek Pioneer Village
What: Give the little ones an interactive lesson in Canadian history at Black Creek Pioneer Village with an 1867-style Canada Day celebration. Here, you’ll find an official Citizenship ceremony, traditional games, and horse-drawn wagon rides.
Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway
When: July 1 to 3, 11 am to 5 pm
Redpath Waterfront Festival
What: At Redpath Waterfront Festival, you’ll find a Canada 150 Fund project written specifically for the occasion, an interactive performance by internationally-renown street artist DJ Creeasian, the plaid-filled West Coast Lumberjack Show and a large artisan market.
Where: Toronto Waterfront
When: July 1 to 3
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