Yeehaw! As Canada Day approaches, tripatlas.com/new has rounded up all the best events, celebrations, and festivals taking place to celebrate the birth of our nation on July 1st.
From Montreal to Vancouver, Edmonton to Calgary, St. John’s to Toronto – go for a last minute getaway to one of these hot Canadian destinations for the biggest party of the year.
More great Canada articles from tripatlas.com/new: 10 Incredible Spa Getaways in Canada for spa lovers or 10 Amazing Dream Getaways in Canada for adventurers.
10 Ways to celebrate Canada Day across the nation
1) Canada Day 2009 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa (July 1) is always the country’s biggest celebration. Join with hundreds of thousands of revelers on Parliament Hill and throughout downtown Ottawa and Gatineau for Canada Day celebrations. This year’s entertainment lineup includes Sarah McLaclan, Quebec singer Gregory Charles, and more. The giant firework finale starts at 10pm while family activities and entertainment will be taking place all day at Major’s Hill Park and Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau. Go to www.ottawatourism.ca for more.
The TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival (June 25 to July 5, 2009) is also taking place in Ottawa, with performances to be heard all of July 1st in Confederation Park. Go to www.ottawajazzfestival.com for more.
2) Lobsterpalooza along Cape Breton Trail in Nova Scotia (May 24 to July 1) tempts visitors to participate in the largest “Feastival” of its kind. Lobsterpalooza celebrates coastal communities’ seafaring traditions along 185 miles of Margaree Forks and Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail for the best seafood and lobster that Canada has to offer. Go to www.lobsterpalooza.ca for more.
3) St. John’s Newfoundland Canada Day Party (July 1) is Newfoundland’s largest event, beginning June 30th at 5pm to 1am with a Canada Day Countdown rock concert featuring Joel Plaskett Emergency. On Canada Day, you can find Art in the Park in King Square; beach volleyball tournaments; skateboard competitions, children’s activities (face painting, prizes, bounce rides, visits by Dora the Explorer, magicians, and more) on the Boardwalk and in Market Square; and Newfoundland’s largest flea market and craft fair along King Street & Charlotte Street in St John’s. Go to www.sjcanadaday.ca for more.
4) Celafete in Montreal (July 1) brings over 200 free activities for the entire family to the quays of the Old Port in Montreal. This year celebrates the 375th Anniversary of the city of Trois Rivieres, of historical coureurs-des-bois and fur traders of Quebec. Catch a day-long Food Fair from 10am to 11pm; the Official Canada Day Ceremony at 11am including fanfare and a 21-gun salute; inflatable bounce rides for kids from 12 to 7pm; circus performers from Circus Magic; and a giant open-air disco during Dance on the Quay from 9:15pm and onward. Go to www.celafete.ca for more.
5) The Festival Grand Rire de Quebec (June 10 to July 5) comedy festival takes places in Quebec City and hosts almost 500,000 visitors. This 10th year of the festival will feature more than 250 well-known and up-and-coming comedians over 26 days of events – many taking place during the Canada Day holiday. Go to www.grandrire.com for more.
6) Queen’s Park in Toronto (July 1) begins celebrations at 11am with a citizenship ceremony followed by the singing of O Canada and a 21-gun salute at 12pm. From noon to 5pm, Queen’s Park will feature live entertainment, inflatable games, carnival games, face painting, strolling performers, skills challenges in hockey and basketball, rock climbing, and more – free of charge. Go to www.citizenship.gov.on.ca for more.
For something a little different, Ribfest is taking place at Centennial Park in Etobicoke from June 26 to July 1 and also has entertainment, crafts, and fireworks in the evening – not to mention ridiculous amounts of ribs. Go to www.torontoribfest.com for more.
7) The Canada Day Celebration at Canada Place in Vancouver (July 1) was recognized as one of the top national events in 2008 From 10am to 7pm at Canada Place and surrounding streets, the free outdoor festival will feature members from So You Think You Can Dance Canada; performances by Canadian acts like Elise Estrada and DJ Leanne; high-energy games for kids; street performers; food vendors and festival treats; and a firework display at 10:30pm. Go to www.tourismvancouver.com for more.
Also taking place from June 26 to July 5 is the TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Go to www.coastaljazz.ca for more.
8) Ale & Tail Canadian Beerfest in Calgary (June 30) is taking place at the Calgary Zoo to celebrate Canada Day. Enjoy a complimentary beer sampling of Canadian brews, a baked potato bar, corn on the cob, and beaver tails for dessert. After dinner, teams of 10 will take off for the Great Canadian Race through the Zoo’s forest. An adults only evening, the cost is $49.95 for all food and events. Go to www.calgaryzoo.com for more.
9) Warm up for the Calgary Stampede (July 1 to July 12) in Calgary during Canada Day. The events at the Stampede Grounds begin on July 3rd but tons of events will be taking place on July 1 and 2 to get ready for the World’s Greatest Outdoor Festival. Catch Blacksmith Competitions, kid’s competitions, and cowboys flooding the streets of Calgary. Go to www.stampedeagriculture.com for a full breakdown of the festival schedule.
10) Picnic in the Park in Edmonton (July 1) is being held by Canad Inns to celebrate Canada’s National Birthday. The daylong event geared towards families includes games and activities for children, exciting entertainment on the Lyric Theatre Stage, and a spectacular fireworks show to cap off the day’s festivities. Admission is free and food vendors are located on site for this event from 12pm to 10:30pm. Go to www.destinationwinnipeg.ca for more.
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