15 FREE Canada Day events happening in Toronto this weekend

Get your red and white gear ready, Canada Day will soon be here.

And while many Torontonians will be packing up and heading to the cottage, there are plenty of awesome events worth checking out right here in the city.

Best of all, there are tons of great events that are completely free.

From fireworks and food festivals to family-friendly events, we’ve rounded up 15 Canada Day events happening in the city this weekend that you can enjoy without spending a dime.

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 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

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

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

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, 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

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

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: July 1
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Queen’s Park, 111 Wellesley Street West
Price: Free

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

Multicultural Canada Day at Yonge-Dundas Square 

What: The annual Multicultural Canada Day celebrations include 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

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: 6 pm to 10 pm
Where: Downsview Park, Downsview Park, Keele/Sheppard
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: July 30
Time: 10 pm
Where: Cake Bar & Night Club
Price: Free before 11 pm

Milliken Park

What: This is a delightful spot to appreciate the outdoors near the northern edge of Scarborough. And while out there, enjoy fireworks on Sunday.

When: July 1
Time: 10 pm
Where: 5555 Steeles Avenue East
Price: Free