How to Do Canada Day in Toronto

Canada Day is nearly here, so get your red and white on and get outside for some terrific patriotic fun!

Harbourfront Centre has a bevy of free activities planned, from crafts and karaoke to maple-themed bake-offs and a drama workshop celebrating the anniversary of the beloved Canadian classic Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang. Don’t forget, they also have some of the coolest fireworks in town.

Queen’s Park kicks off the festivities at 10 am and the fun goes until 5 pm with DIY rocket workshops, midway rides, crafts and live music (featuring Canadian beatbox champion Scott Jackson).

Mel Lastman Square starts its evening of live music at 5 pm with dance performances and plenty of family activities, including performances by Zero Gravity Circus. The night caps off with their always wonderful fireworks display.

In the west end, the last day of the Toronto Rib Fest is on Canada Day. There are 14 chefs plying their succulent meaty wares, and they have a full-day of music, buskers, face painting, and magicians, along with a citizenship ceremony and a fireworks blow out at 10 pm.

East York is where you’ll find the only Canada Day Parade in the city. Starting at Dieppe Park at 10 am. The parade ends at Stan Wadlow Park where you’ll find all sorts of free entertainment, antique cars, swimming from noon to 7 pm and fireworks starting at 10:15 pm.

Fort York is open and free from 10 am to 5 pm, so bring a picnic lunch and watch the musket firings, guard inspections and fife and drum performances along with guided tours through a part of our city’s history.

From there, it’s a quick trip down the Gardiner to Ashbridges Bay, the perennial favourite for fireworks watching.

Happy Birthday, eh!