The City of Toronto predicts this year, Canada Day will be the biggest celebration yet. The city will host ongoing festivities throughout the day, but the biggest event will occur between 5 and 10 p.m. at Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
At 5 p.m., the first annual 100-metre Canada Day Dash will be held. If you compete in the dash, you can have your picture taken with an Olympic athlete. If you arrive before 5 p.m., you may have a chance to meet Olympic athletes such as Team Canada hockey player and Olympic gold medalist Vicky Sunohara.
Between 5 and 8 p.m., Toronto's streets will also be filled with street performers, jugglers, magicians and musicians. At 8:05 p.m., check out the Digging Roots, an award-winning roots rock band. Digging Roots will be followed by God Made Me Funky, a Juno-nominated funk band headed by Canadian Idol winner Melissa O'Neill, at 9:15 p.m. Toronto ends Canada Day with a bang with the annual fireworks at 10:15 from Mel Lastman Square.
Free concerts are also being held in Nathan Phillips Square and the Harbourfront on Canada Day. As part of the Toronto Jazz Festival, you will be able to listen to the Paul Read Orchestra at noon in Nathan Phillips Square. At the Harbourfront, Sarah Slean will be playing at the Sirius Stage from 8 to 9 p.m. Fireworks start at 10:15 p.m.
More North York
Amesbury Canada Day Celebration, Amesbury Park, 1507 Lawrence Ave. W. between Keele Street and Culford Road, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The day includes children's activities, a marketplace, talent shows and other entertainment. Visit www.amesburycanadaday.ca or call 416-392-4065.
Celebrate Canada's past and future during Black Creek Pioneer Village's Canada Day Celebration and Citizenship Ceremony. Special activities include traditional games and horse drawn wagon rides. Black Creek is at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway. Visit www.blackcreek.ca for details.
The Gibson House, 5172 Yonge St. just north of the North York Centre subway stop, celebrates Canada's birthday with a journey to the community of Willow Dale, circa 1851. Experience a taste of the past with homemade ice cream, children's activities and old-fashioned games on the lawn. Admission is pay what you can. The celebration goes July 1 from noon to 5 p.m. Call 416-395-7432.
There is an Old Style Community Picnic at Broadlands Community Centre and Park, 19 Castlegrove Blvd. from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Activities include face painting, games, clown entertainment and folk singing. Admission is free. Call 416-395-7966.
Note – due to an all-day concert starring The Tragically Hip, Downsview Park's traditional Canada Day event and fireworks will not take place.
York
Canada Day celebrations take place at Weston Lions Park, 2125 Lawrence Ave. W., from 5 to 10 p.m. Festivities include entertainment, children's activities and fireworks at 10 p.m. Contact Councillor Frances Nunziata at 416-392-4091.
East York
The East York's 54th annual Canada Day Parade Motorcade starts at 9 a.m. at the East York Town Centre, 45 Overlea Blvd. Marching bands start at Dieppe Park at 10 a.m. and arrive at Stan Wadlow Park, 888 Cosburn Ave. at noon.
Celebrations at Stan Wadlow Park is open to the public at 11 a.m. with bingo and community displays. At 11:30 a.m., the amusements and midway area open. Opening ceremonies begin at noon and will be followed by entertainment, street display of antique cars. Leisure swimming at Kiwanis Pool goes from noon to 7 p.m. Evening entertainment runs from 7 to 10 p.m.
Fireworks take place at Stan Wadlow Park at 10:15 p.m. Park closes at 11 p.m. Admission is free.
For those feeling extra patriotic, the annual citizenship court takes place at the East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. It is sponsored by the East York Race Relations and Multiculturalism Institute and features not only new Canadians taking the oath of citizenship, but it also allows all citizens to take the oath to reaffirm their citizenship. The event begins at 7:30 a.m.
On the western edge of East York is the newer Canada Day tradition of the Toronto East Rotary Club's Ribfest. It takes place at Whistler's Grille, 995 Broadview Ave., from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. In addition to the ribs, there will be music, a magician and a birthday cake at 4:30 p.m.
Royal Legion Branch 1/42, 243 Coxwell Ave., hosts its second annual Canada Day Celebrations Out Door Festival with food, games, music, jumping castles, prizes and more from noon to 7 p.m. Call 416-465-0120.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon in the Don Valley as Todmorden Mills celebrates Canada Day. Visit the 19th century homes, sample treats prepared the historic kitchens and enjoy special activities for children. Free. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at 67 Pottery Rd.
Yonge-Dundas Square
The fifth annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration is back at Yonge-Dundas Square July 1.
The event starts with the singing of O Canada, followed by a First Nations dance, which kicks off the international dance performances that will last through the day. Europe, Canada, South America, Central America, Asia and South East Asia are represented with a 30-minute dance performance on the main stage.
There's also crafts, visual arts, food and more from each of the cultures that help make up Canada and Toronto.
A special Bollywood Dance Party takes place at 7 p.m. at the square, where anyone can join and learn to Bollywood dance.
Downtown
The Scotiabank CHIN International Picnic July 1 to 3 at Exhibition Place. The 45th annual picnic includes entertainment, games, rides, food and beer, dog shows and bike race, among other things. Visitwww.scotiabankchinpicnic.com for details.
Ontario Place is set to continue its summer tradition of fireworks by the lake. The combination of pyrotechnics choreographed to music during the celebration is not to be missed. Fireworks start at 10:30 p.m. Ontario Place is on Lake Shore Boulevard West.
Parkdale
Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd., celebrates Canada's birthday with kids entertainment, breakdancing performance and workshop, theatre, aboriginal storytelling, shadow puppetry, musket and artillery drills, fife and drum music. Bring a picnic. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. Free. Call 416-392-6907.
There will also be a Fort York Historic District walking tour called Toronto's Changing Lakefront from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Starting and ending at the canteen at Fort York National Historic Site, this tour explores the evolution and history of Fort York and the nearby Lake Ontario shoreline.
The tour traces the development of the lakefront from the early British colonial era to the present day. Learn about the origins of Fort York, the fortification of the harbour, local railway and road building and the subsequent industrial and recreational development of this vital area. Free. Rain or shine.
Join Trinity-Spadina MP Olivia Chow as she celebrates Canada's birthday in Trinity Bellwoods Park, at the southwest corner of Queen Street and Gore Vale Avenue from 1 to 4 p.m.
There will be a free barbecue for meat and veggie lovers, entertainment by Canadian Idol semi-finalist Oliver Pigott, local talent Laura Elligsen, Mandippal Jandu and GUCANADA; a kids zone; face painting and crafts; and a citizen ceremony.
Beach
The Beaches Lions Canada Day Family Festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. in Kew Gardens. It includes entertainment, the Beach Idol and a barbecue. Visit www.beacheslions.com
There is a Canada Day walk at 1 p.m. Meet in front of the Beach library, 2161 Queen St. E. The two hour walk will goes past local landmarks and participants will receive a free flag.
Neighbours come together on Canada Day to Riverdale Park East at Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street East from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. Call 416-392-4060.
Fireworks will take place at Ashbridges Bay Park at Lake Shore Boulevard East at the foot of Coxwell Avenue after 9:45 p.m. People are encouraged to use public transit.
The Red, White and Vinyl Festival, at Woodbine Park, is touting Toronto's largest fireworks display to conclude a day of music Canada Day.
This year's second annual festival includes opening ceremonies (noon); Dan Hill (12:30 to 1:30 p.m.); Brass Transit (1:45 to 3:15 p.m.); Alannah Myles (3:45 to 5 p.m.); Andy Kim (5:30 to 6:45 p.m.), Lighthouse (7:15 to 8:45 p.m.); Disco Dance Party (9 to 10 p.m.); and fireworks from Ashbridges Bay (10 to 10:30 p.m.).
Woodbine Park is at Lake Shore Boulevard East and Coxwell Avenue.
Check it out at www.vinyl953.com/Events/RedWhiteVinyl.aspx
Scarborough
For the 44th year, there's holiday fun on July 1 in Thomson Park on Brimley Road, where events and activities start at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free pancake breakfast, buskers, bouncy inflatable's, gladiator jousting, DJ and entertainment. Enjoy the kids craft area, crafts show and sale, seniors versus politicians slo-pitch challenge. Free. Call 416-396-4039.
The annual parade from the Scarborough Civic Centre on Borough Drive starts at 4 p.m. (west of the Scarborough Civic Centre) on Brimley Road, ending at Lawrence Avenue East and Brimley Road at about 5:30 p.m. Parade features marching bands, drum and bugle corps, Miss Toronto, antique cars, clowns and a variety of floats. Free. Call Terry Chung 416-396-7566.
In Highland Creek, a parade organized by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258, begins at 11 a.m. near the Salvation Army on Morrish Road north of Kingston Road and ends at the legion property on Lawson Road with bands, karaoke, a beer tent and family friendly activities continuing until 6 p.m.
As soon as it's dark, which should be around 10:15 p.m., there will be city-run fireworks display at Milliken Park, which is at McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue.
Local malls are closed Canada Day, but on Thursday, June 30, St. Paul's L'Amoureaux Centre hosts its own free celebration, Canada: Past, Present and Future, at Bridlewood Mall, which is at Warden and Finch avenues. Besides free cake and strawberries, revellers can expect clowns, games, dance shows and other entertainment from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
The Rotary clubs of Agincourt, North Scarborough, Scarborough Twilight and Scarborough Bluffs are hosting a Multicultural Ribfest from over the Canada Day weekend (June 30 to July 3) at L'Amoreaux Community Centre, 2000 McNicoll Ave.
Cake It Up Canada! - A Celebrate Canada Event takes place at the Scarborough Museum, 1007 Brimley Rd., just north of Lawrence Avenue in Thomson Memorial Park, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be cake and karaoke, historic treats and a pie eating contest. Share why you believe Canada is great at its Canadian Broadcast Speakers Corner. Fundraising sales include peameal bacon on a bun and fresh strawberries with ice cream. Admission by donation. The parking will be limited today. Call 416-338-8807.
Etobicoke
Celebrate Canada Day eating ribs at Toronto Ribfest in Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Rd., June 30 to July 3 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The event includes ribs from 13 professional ribbers from Canada and the U.S., a beer tent, haunted attractions, children's area and more. Fireworks will take place at 10 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Visit www.torontoribfest.com
Celebrate Canada's 144th birthday by printing a quotation from the very first Canada Day on the 1845 printing press on Mackenzie House, 4709 Dundas St. W. at Islington Avenue. They are also have tea and a classic strawberry shortcake. First come, first served. Cost is $10 plus tax. Free parking. Call 416-394-8113.
Bloor West Village
Colborne Lodge celebrates Dominion Day from noon to 5 p.m. Visit the Lodge and learn some of the ways that Toronto celebrated Dominion Day in 1867, and discover what the 1875 household manual "Things a Lady Would Like to Know" suggests to eat on July 1. Colbourne Lodge is at the south end of High Park on Colborne Lodge Drive.
Join MP Peggy Nash's Canada Day barbecue in High Park from noon to 2 p.m. Friday. There will be performances, community information tables and activities for all ages. The barbecue will take place in the north end of the park, in Picnic Area 1, near the Bloor Street entrance, close to High Park subway.
At 5 p.m., the first annual 100-metre Canada Day Dash will be held. If you compete in the dash, you can have your picture taken with an Olympic athlete. If you arrive before 5 p.m., you may have a chance to meet Olympic athletes such as Team Canada hockey player and Olympic gold medalist Vicky Sunohara.
Between 5 and 8 p.m., Toronto's streets will also be filled with street performers, jugglers, magicians and musicians. At 8:05 p.m., check out the Digging Roots, an award-winning roots rock band. Digging Roots will be followed by God Made Me Funky, a Juno-nominated funk band headed by Canadian Idol winner Melissa O'Neill, at 9:15 p.m. Toronto ends Canada Day with a bang with the annual fireworks at 10:15 from Mel Lastman Square.
Free concerts are also being held in Nathan Phillips Square and the Harbourfront on Canada Day. As part of the Toronto Jazz Festival, you will be able to listen to the Paul Read Orchestra at noon in Nathan Phillips Square. At the Harbourfront, Sarah Slean will be playing at the Sirius Stage from 8 to 9 p.m. Fireworks start at 10:15 p.m.
More North York
Amesbury Canada Day Celebration, Amesbury Park, 1507 Lawrence Ave. W. between Keele Street and Culford Road, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The day includes children's activities, a marketplace, talent shows and other entertainment. Visit www.amesburycanadaday.ca or call 416-392-4065.
Celebrate Canada's past and future during Black Creek Pioneer Village's Canada Day Celebration and Citizenship Ceremony. Special activities include traditional games and horse drawn wagon rides. Black Creek is at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway. Visit www.blackcreek.ca for details.
The Gibson House, 5172 Yonge St. just north of the North York Centre subway stop, celebrates Canada's birthday with a journey to the community of Willow Dale, circa 1851. Experience a taste of the past with homemade ice cream, children's activities and old-fashioned games on the lawn. Admission is pay what you can. The celebration goes July 1 from noon to 5 p.m. Call 416-395-7432.
There is an Old Style Community Picnic at Broadlands Community Centre and Park, 19 Castlegrove Blvd. from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Activities include face painting, games, clown entertainment and folk singing. Admission is free. Call 416-395-7966.
Note – due to an all-day concert starring The Tragically Hip, Downsview Park's traditional Canada Day event and fireworks will not take place.
York
Canada Day celebrations take place at Weston Lions Park, 2125 Lawrence Ave. W., from 5 to 10 p.m. Festivities include entertainment, children's activities and fireworks at 10 p.m. Contact Councillor Frances Nunziata at 416-392-4091.
East York
The East York's 54th annual Canada Day Parade Motorcade starts at 9 a.m. at the East York Town Centre, 45 Overlea Blvd. Marching bands start at Dieppe Park at 10 a.m. and arrive at Stan Wadlow Park, 888 Cosburn Ave. at noon.
Celebrations at Stan Wadlow Park is open to the public at 11 a.m. with bingo and community displays. At 11:30 a.m., the amusements and midway area open. Opening ceremonies begin at noon and will be followed by entertainment, street display of antique cars. Leisure swimming at Kiwanis Pool goes from noon to 7 p.m. Evening entertainment runs from 7 to 10 p.m.
Fireworks take place at Stan Wadlow Park at 10:15 p.m. Park closes at 11 p.m. Admission is free.
For those feeling extra patriotic, the annual citizenship court takes place at the East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. It is sponsored by the East York Race Relations and Multiculturalism Institute and features not only new Canadians taking the oath of citizenship, but it also allows all citizens to take the oath to reaffirm their citizenship. The event begins at 7:30 a.m.
On the western edge of East York is the newer Canada Day tradition of the Toronto East Rotary Club's Ribfest. It takes place at Whistler's Grille, 995 Broadview Ave., from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. In addition to the ribs, there will be music, a magician and a birthday cake at 4:30 p.m.
Royal Legion Branch 1/42, 243 Coxwell Ave., hosts its second annual Canada Day Celebrations Out Door Festival with food, games, music, jumping castles, prizes and more from noon to 7 p.m. Call 416-465-0120.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon in the Don Valley as Todmorden Mills celebrates Canada Day. Visit the 19th century homes, sample treats prepared the historic kitchens and enjoy special activities for children. Free. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at 67 Pottery Rd.
Yonge-Dundas Square
The fifth annual Multicultural Canada Day Celebration is back at Yonge-Dundas Square July 1.
The event starts with the singing of O Canada, followed by a First Nations dance, which kicks off the international dance performances that will last through the day. Europe, Canada, South America, Central America, Asia and South East Asia are represented with a 30-minute dance performance on the main stage.
There's also crafts, visual arts, food and more from each of the cultures that help make up Canada and Toronto.
A special Bollywood Dance Party takes place at 7 p.m. at the square, where anyone can join and learn to Bollywood dance.
Downtown
The Scotiabank CHIN International Picnic July 1 to 3 at Exhibition Place. The 45th annual picnic includes entertainment, games, rides, food and beer, dog shows and bike race, among other things. Visitwww.scotiabankchinpicnic.com for details.
Parkdale
Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd., celebrates Canada's birthday with kids entertainment, breakdancing performance and workshop, theatre, aboriginal storytelling, shadow puppetry, musket and artillery drills, fife and drum music. Bring a picnic. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. Free. Call 416-392-6907.
There will also be a Fort York Historic District walking tour called Toronto's Changing Lakefront from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Starting and ending at the canteen at Fort York National Historic Site, this tour explores the evolution and history of Fort York and the nearby Lake Ontario shoreline.
The tour traces the development of the lakefront from the early British colonial era to the present day. Learn about the origins of Fort York, the fortification of the harbour, local railway and road building and the subsequent industrial and recreational development of this vital area. Free. Rain or shine.
Join Trinity-Spadina MP Olivia Chow as she celebrates Canada's birthday in Trinity Bellwoods Park, at the southwest corner of Queen Street and Gore Vale Avenue from 1 to 4 p.m.
There will be a free barbecue for meat and veggie lovers, entertainment by Canadian Idol semi-finalist Oliver Pigott, local talent Laura Elligsen, Mandippal Jandu and GUCANADA; a kids zone; face painting and crafts; and a citizen ceremony.
Beach
The Beaches Lions Canada Day Family Festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. in Kew Gardens. It includes entertainment, the Beach Idol and a barbecue. Visit www.beacheslions.com
There is a Canada Day walk at 1 p.m. Meet in front of the Beach library, 2161 Queen St. E. The two hour walk will goes past local landmarks and participants will receive a free flag.
Neighbours come together on Canada Day to Riverdale Park East at Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street East from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. Call 416-392-4060.
Fireworks will take place at Ashbridges Bay Park at Lake Shore Boulevard East at the foot of Coxwell Avenue after 9:45 p.m. People are encouraged to use public transit.
The Red, White and Vinyl Festival, at Woodbine Park, is touting Toronto's largest fireworks display to conclude a day of music Canada Day.
This year's second annual festival includes opening ceremonies (noon); Dan Hill (12:30 to 1:30 p.m.); Brass Transit (1:45 to 3:15 p.m.); Alannah Myles (3:45 to 5 p.m.); Andy Kim (5:30 to 6:45 p.m.), Lighthouse (7:15 to 8:45 p.m.); Disco Dance Party (9 to 10 p.m.); and fireworks from Ashbridges Bay (10 to 10:30 p.m.).
Woodbine Park is at Lake Shore Boulevard East and Coxwell Avenue.
Check it out at www.vinyl953.com/Events/RedWhiteVinyl.aspx
Scarborough
For the 44th year, there's holiday fun on July 1 in Thomson Park on Brimley Road, where events and activities start at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free pancake breakfast, buskers, bouncy inflatable's, gladiator jousting, DJ and entertainment. Enjoy the kids craft area, crafts show and sale, seniors versus politicians slo-pitch challenge. Free. Call 416-396-4039.
The annual parade from the Scarborough Civic Centre on Borough Drive starts at 4 p.m. (west of the Scarborough Civic Centre) on Brimley Road, ending at Lawrence Avenue East and Brimley Road at about 5:30 p.m. Parade features marching bands, drum and bugle corps, Miss Toronto, antique cars, clowns and a variety of floats. Free. Call Terry Chung 416-396-7566.
In Highland Creek, a parade organized by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258, begins at 11 a.m. near the Salvation Army on Morrish Road north of Kingston Road and ends at the legion property on Lawson Road with bands, karaoke, a beer tent and family friendly activities continuing until 6 p.m.
As soon as it's dark, which should be around 10:15 p.m., there will be city-run fireworks display at Milliken Park, which is at McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue.
Local malls are closed Canada Day, but on Thursday, June 30, St. Paul's L'Amoureaux Centre hosts its own free celebration, Canada: Past, Present and Future, at Bridlewood Mall, which is at Warden and Finch avenues. Besides free cake and strawberries, revellers can expect clowns, games, dance shows and other entertainment from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
The Rotary clubs of Agincourt, North Scarborough, Scarborough Twilight and Scarborough Bluffs are hosting a Multicultural Ribfest from over the Canada Day weekend (June 30 to July 3) at L'Amoreaux Community Centre, 2000 McNicoll Ave.
Cake It Up Canada! - A Celebrate Canada Event takes place at the Scarborough Museum, 1007 Brimley Rd., just north of Lawrence Avenue in Thomson Memorial Park, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be cake and karaoke, historic treats and a pie eating contest. Share why you believe Canada is great at its Canadian Broadcast Speakers Corner. Fundraising sales include peameal bacon on a bun and fresh strawberries with ice cream. Admission by donation. The parking will be limited today. Call 416-338-8807.
Etobicoke
Celebrate Canada Day eating ribs at Toronto Ribfest in Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Rd., June 30 to July 3 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The event includes ribs from 13 professional ribbers from Canada and the U.S., a beer tent, haunted attractions, children's area and more. Fireworks will take place at 10 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Visit www.torontoribfest.com
Celebrate Canada's 144th birthday by printing a quotation from the very first Canada Day on the 1845 printing press on Mackenzie House, 4709 Dundas St. W. at Islington Avenue. They are also have tea and a classic strawberry shortcake. First come, first served. Cost is $10 plus tax. Free parking. Call 416-394-8113.
Bloor West Village
Colborne Lodge celebrates Dominion Day from noon to 5 p.m. Visit the Lodge and learn some of the ways that Toronto celebrated Dominion Day in 1867, and discover what the 1875 household manual "Things a Lady Would Like to Know" suggests to eat on July 1. Colbourne Lodge is at the south end of High Park on Colborne Lodge Drive.
Join MP Peggy Nash's Canada Day barbecue in High Park from noon to 2 p.m. Friday. There will be performances, community information tables and activities for all ages. The barbecue will take place in the north end of the park, in Picnic Area 1, near the Bloor Street entrance, close to High Park subway.
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