Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st of every year, and with this holiday marking 150 years since Canada’s Confederation, a number of celebratory events around the Greater Toronto Area promise to make this a special holiday weekend. Here are some of the notable happenings in Toronto from July 1st to 3rd, 2017.
Canada Days
The City of Toronto is holding a series of Canada Day celebrations citywide, celebrating not only Canada’s 150th birthday but the Province of Ontario’s sesquicentennial as well. Live musical performance will be the focus of these official parties at four locations across the city. Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto City Hall in downtown will host four nights of concerts from June 30th to July 3rd, featuring artists such as Barenaked Ladies, Ron Sexsmith, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and nightly fireworks displays. Similar concert events and fireworks displays will be
held on July 1st at Humber Bay Park West in Etobicoke, Mel Lastman Square in North York, and Scarborough Civic Centre, featuring Canadian and international artists. The best part is that all of these events are free. Community celebrations are also taking place at 15 sites across the city. Visit the City of Toronto website for more details.
Redpath Waterfront Festival
Toronto’s Waterfront on Queens Quay is the venue for the Redpath Waterfront Festival, July 1st to 3rd of this year. Events and attractions include the Waterfront Artisan Market, the West Coast Lumberjack Show, musical and dance performances, and all sorts of food and family fun. The highlights will be the world’s largest rubber duck (six stories tall!) floating in the water off HTO Park and a 440-foot Royal Canadian Navy frigate that is open to the public. Admission is free. Visit the official website for more information.
Toronto Ribfest
From June 30th to July 3rd in Centennial Park, Toronto Ribfest is a four-day celebration of Canada Day and barbecue cuisine, with plenty of live shows and entertainment as well.
Heritage Ontario Festival
The Ontario Place grounds are the location for an Ontario-centric celebration of provincial heritage, culture, and traditions from June 30th through July 3rd. The event will feature performances on multiple stages, interactive exhibits, and food and drink vendors.
Many other events are taking place on Canada Day weekend across the GTA as well, including spectacular fireworks at the CN Tower, a 19th-century carnival at Black Creek Pioneer Village, free events at city attractions, and events in Mississauga, Vaughan, Brampton, and other GTA cities. Please keep Global Alliance Worldwide Chauffeured Services in mind for transportation to and from your Canada Day party this year, wherever it may be.