Canada Day is quickly approaching and for those of you who don’t have plans yet, here are some great ideas across Canada for ways to celebrate.
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Make Olympic memories in Vancouver, British Columbia
This Canada Day in Vancouver, you can make some Olympic memories even though you may have missed the games this past winter. For Canada Day, the cauldron will be re-lit for visitors’ enjoyment. For those looking for family fun, be sure to visit Granville Island (www.granvilleisland.com) on Canada Day for a parade, fun interactive art and crafts, entertainment, food, and of course, fireworks. Get a room for as low as $79/night with Tourism Vancouver: www.tourismvancouver.com .
See the Queen & the Barenaked Ladies in Ottawa, Ontario
Celebrations take place at noon and at 6:30pm on Parliament Hill with a firework show at 10pm. To make things even more exciting this year, Queen Elizabeth II of England and the Duke of Edinburgh will also be in attendance for the celebrations at both shows, as will performers like the Barenaked Ladies, Isabelle Boulay & Johnny Reid. If you’re looking for a deal, you can get a 3rd night at 50% off when booking 2 nights at www.ottawatourism.ca.
Celafete in Montreal, Quebec
Celebrate Canada Day at the annual Celafete Canada Day festival in Montreal where there are over 200 free activities for the entire family to the quays of the Old Port in Montreal. From June 25 to July 6, catch the International Montreal Jazz Festival that’s featuring Lionel Richie this year. Also, from now until January 2011, Montreal’s McCord Museum is hosting a Dream Weavers exhibit, showcasing the intricate and colourful costumes and props from the many Cirque de Soleil shows from the past 25 years. Get a Sweet Deal package to Montreal, starting at $130/night. Go to www.tourisme-montreal.org for more.
Fireworks on the beach in Toronto, Ontario
Celebrate Canada Day with the rest of Toronto with live concerts and entertainment downtown at Nathan Philipps Square or Yonge-Dundas Square. For a killer fireworks show, head to Ashbridge’s Bay or along Lakeshore for a colourful show on the water. While you’re in Toronto, be sure to check out the new Terracotta Army exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum, just open on June 26 and exhibiting until Dec 5, 2010. Couples getaways start at $150/night on www.seetorontonow.com .
Old fashioned family fun in Calgary, Alberta
For fun family celebrations in and around Calgary, head to Heritage Park Historical Village (www.heritagepark.ca) where the first 2010 guests before 10am will enjoy a complimentary breakfast. Stay for birthday cake, an old fashioned circus, band performances, and family games. More family fun is happening at Prince’s Island from 12-5pm and Olympic Plaza from 6 to 12pm. Vis itors can also stay a bit later to experience the Calgary Stampede happening July 9 to 18, 2010 – the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Fireworks happen at 10:30pm outside the Calgary’s Municipal Building. A 2-night family Calgary historical package starts at $288: www.visitcalgary.com .
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