10+ amazing ways to celebrate Canada Day in Toronto

Nothing caps off Canada Day celebrations like a dazzling fireworks show, and this year, there are plenty of places in and around the city to see them. From Ashbridges Bay Park to Harbourfront Centre, we’ve rounded up a number of destinations hosting fireworks this year here.

Celebrate Canada Day at Harbourfront Centre with a full day of free waterfront festivities, including live music, local food vendors, interactive art, sports activities, and the new Ontario Science Centre location. The celebration features everything from a floating futsal pitch and World Cup watch parties to roaming circus performers. The night wraps up with a spectacular 10:45 p.m. fireworks show over Toronto’s inner harbour.

Head to Nathan Phillips Square with a free afternoon of live performances, cultural celebrations, and family-friendly activities inspired by the countries competing in the FIFA World Cup. Enjoy music and dance from Ghana, Panama, and Indigenous Canadian performers, along with soccer skills clinics, face painting, crafts, circus acts, and a special citizenship ceremony welcoming 50 new Canadians.

Canada’s Wonderland is celebrating Canada Day with its annual Celebration Canada festival from July 1–5, featuring live Indigenous performances, street entertainment, and a special menu inspired by Canadian flavours. The highlight takes place on July 1, when more than 6,000 fireworks light up the sky above Wonder Mountain, accompanied by an original soundtrack and fire-diving performances.

Mel Lastman Square in North York will have a free, family-friendly daytime festival, kicking off at noon and ending with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. The event will have live music, a kid’s zone with jumping castles and face painting, food vendors, and a local vendor fair.

Amesbury Park will be hosting a full day event on July 1, running from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. There will be food trucks, local vendors, kids’ inflatables, live entertainment, and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Head to Downsview Park on July 1 for a fun-filled Canada Day celebration featuring live entertainment, kids’ games, inflatables, vendors, food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks show at 10 p.m. – and it’s all for free!

Now in its 70th year, Stan Wadlow’s beloved Canada Day event kicks off with a parade from Dieppe Park at 10:30 a.m. and continues at Stan Wadlow Park from 11:00 a.m. with live entertainment, a midway, kids’ activities, an artisan market, food vendors, and a beer garden, ending with a spectacular City of Toronto fireworks show.

Toronto has multiple Canada Day boat parties and booze cruises operating out of Toronto Harbour, offering panoramic views of the skyline and the fireworks show. Two major events run from downtown wharfs, featuring live DJs, fully stocked bars, and multiple dance floors. These include the River Gambler and Jubilee Queen Cruises.

Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough will have family-friendly things to do all day long on Canada Day, starting with a pancake breakfast (which is first come, first served). 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 local craft vendors.

Q107 will be hosting a rockin’ 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!