Canada Day is just under a week away, falling on Monday July 1 marking the first official long weekend of the summer! Our beautiful country is turning 157 this year, and if you’re staying in and around the city, there’s a ton of fun activities and events to check out.
Here are some of the best things to do on Canada Day in Toronto:
1. Canada Day fireworks
Nothing caps off Canada Day celebrations like a dazzling fireworks show, and this year, there are tons of places in the city to see them. Ashbridges Bay, Milliken, Centennial, and Stan Wadlow Park will all have fireworks shows at 10 p.m. on July 1, as well as Canada’s Wonderland with shows on both June 30 and July 1 at 10 p.m.
2. Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s largest theme park will be celebrating Canada Day with a weekend of festivities, from Friday June 28 through Monday July 1. There will be authentic Canadian foods, traditional indigenous performances, live music and street entertainment, followed by two nights of fireworks on June 30 and July 1. Catch all the action between getting your thrills on the park’s roller coasters, rides, and cooling off at Splash Works, their expansive water park.
3. Stan Wadlow Park
Also hosting an epic fireworks show later that evening, Stan Wadlow Park will have tons of fun Canada Day experiences throughout the day on July 1 as well. Their annual parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m., followed by main stage entertainment, a midway, kids activities, food vendors, a beer garden, and artisan market. The event is totally free to attend.
4. The ROM
The Royal Ontario Museum is offering free admission on Canada Day, so you can explore their current exhibitions at no charge! This is a great idea if the weather happens to rain or you’re looking for some family-friendly entertainment. Go early, as it may get busy. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
5. Lavazza IncluCity Festival
Toronto’s Distillery District is about to commence its annual Lavazza IncluCity Festival, transforming the neighbourhood into an open-air cinema village running from June 27 through July 21. There will be tons of film-inspired activations and screenings all weekend long, including concerts, gastronomy cocktails, and movies under the stars on Canada Day.
6. Thomson Memorial Park
Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough will have family-friendly things to do all day long on Canada Day, starting with a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. There will also be children’s crafts, face painting, magic shows, carnival games, bouncy castles and a train, a photo booth, buskers, as well as an artisan market with 50 vendors to browse. The event is totally free and goes from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on July 1.
7. Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros game
Cheer on the Toronto Blue Jays as they take on the Houston Astros on Canada Day afternoon. The game starts at 3:07 at the Rogers Centre, and if it’s a nice sunny day, the stadium’s retractable roof should be open!
8. Promise at Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach’s weekly beach dance parties are back all summer long, and for Canada Day weekend, the party is moved to the holiday Monday instead of its usual Sundays. Dance from the afternoon til the stars come out to some of the hottest mixes by local DJs. The party starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m., with tickets starting at $45.
9. Toronto Ribfest
Come hungry to The Rotary Club of Etobicoke’s annual Toronto Ribfest, running all Canada Day weekend from June 28 through July 1. Wash down a rack of your favourite saucy ribs with a refreshing lemonade before sampling delicious bites from the event’s other food vendors. After, check out the midway for rides and games, live music, line dancing, and a magic show. Held at Centennial Park, there will also be fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 1.
10. Harbourfront Centre
Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre has a jam-packed weekend of Canada Day fun, with both free and tickets events from June 28 through July 1. From outdoor concerts to comedy sets, you can see their full schedule of events on their website.
11. Q107 Canada Day Celebration
Q107 will be hosting an awesome Canada Day Picnic at Woodbine Park, featuring rock and roll tributes, arts and crafts, food and beverages, and ending with a spectacular fireworks show at Ashbridges Bay Park at 10 p.m. The festivities and concerts are all free to attend!
12. Downsview Park
North York’s Downsview Park will be holding their annual Canada Day party on July 1, starting at 4 p.m. going until 10:30 p.m. There will be live entertainment, games, inflatables, vendors, food trucks, and more! The park will also have a fireworks show at closing time.