Canada Day is just under a week away, falling on Tuesday, July 1. While Monday isn’t officially a stat holiday, the celebrations will begin over the weekend, with fireworks shows, festivals, and more!
Our beautiful country is turning 158 this year, and if you’re staying in the city, there’s a ton of fun activities and events to check out. Here are some of the best ways to celebrate Canada Day in Toronto:
1. Canada Day fireworks
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 Canada’s Wonderland, we’ve rounded up a number of destinations hosting fireworks this year here.
2. Amesbury Park Community Celebration
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.
3. Harbourfront Centre Canada Day Celebration
Harbourfront Centre at Queens Quay will have both free and ticketed activities all Canada Day long, including live music, comedy, a silent disco, crafts for kids, a Made-in-Canada marketplace, and lakeside fireworks. Find more details here!
4. Mel Lastman Square Canada Day Bash
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. Visit their website for more details.
5. Downsview Park Canada Day Celebration
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! Visit their website here for the full schedule of events.
6. Stan Wadlow Park Celebration
Now in its 69th 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. Find out more info here!
7. Canada Day Boat Party
Celebrate Canada Day in style aboard Toronto’s biggest boat party with over 500 guests, two decks, live DJs, and a breathtaking fireworks show over the skyline. Happening on July 1st aboard the River Gambler, this all-white dress code event features a rooftop dance floor, panoramic sunset views, a fully licensed bar, and nonstop music across genres like hip hop, Afrobeats, and Top 40. Tickets are almost sold out, so grab them now here!
8. Nathan Phillips Square daytime programming
Nathan Phillips Square will host free activations on Canada Day, including live music, face painting, and dance performances from noon until 5:30 p.m. Keep in mind that there will be no fireworks at Nathan Phillips Square, and you’ll have to see them elsewhere. Find out where here.
9. 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 (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. The event is totally free and goes from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on July 1.
10. Q107 Canada Day Picnic
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! Find out more details here.
11. Celebration Canada at Wonderland
On select dates from June 28 through July 13, Canada’s Wonderland will be hosting a series of events for Canada’s birthday celebration, including live music, authentic Canadian food, street performers, and more. Don’t miss their spectacular fireworks show on June 30!
12. 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.
13. Free museum access
On July 1, the ROM and several Toronto History Museums will offer free admission and special programming, so you can explore their current exhibitions at no charge! This includes Fort York National Historic Site, Scarborough Museum, and Gibson House Museum. This is a great idea if the weather happens to rain or you’re looking for some family-friendly entertainment.
14. Ripley’s Aquarium Canada Day weekend
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is celebrating Canada Day with a special promotion offering 1,867 tickets per day for just $18.67 (plus HST), available onsite only from June 28 to July 1, 2025. The incredible limited-time deal invites visitors to explore the aquarium’s underwater wonders while commemorating Canada’s birthday with a uniquely themed “True North, Strong and SEA” celebration. Find out more details here!
15. Ninja Grill Jam
What’s better than a Canada Day BBQ? A FREE BBQ! On Tuesday, July 1, Ninja Grill Jam is hosting a free waterfront celebration from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 225 Queens Quay West, featuring free BBQ, drinks, music, and outdoor fun as Ninja showcases its latest summer appliances. Attendees will also get to meet PWHL Toronto Sceptres stars Renata Fast and Maggie Connors, snap selfies, play games, and enter exciting giveaways.