Canada is turning 149 years old this year, so let’s celebrate! Canada Day in the GTA means tons of awesome family fun for the whole weekend. Every community in the GTA is holding their own celebration, so you’ll have no problem finding fireworks, family activities, and weekend-long fun.
Take a look at all the festivities below and have a safe and happy Canada Day holiday weekend!
*And don’t forget to check our Toronto Event Listings for daily updates!
FREE CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS
No matter where you want to celebrate, you’ll find amazing activities, such as midway rides, inflatables, petting zoos, live performances (including some hugely popular bands and characters), music and dancing, face painting, teen zones, delicious food, arts and crafts, designated kid and family areas, and so much more.
Did we mention that they’re all FREE?
AND THEY ALL HAVE FIREWORKS (with the exception of Scarborough, Vaughan, Queen’s Park, and Yonge-Dundas Square).
Click on each one for more details.
JULY 1
Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square in North York
Amesbury Park Canada Day Celebration in York
Canada Day Celebration 2016 in Mississauga
Multi-cultural Canada Day 2016 at Yonge-Dundas Square
Celebrate Canada Day in Brampton
Kanata Day 2016 in Newmarket
Oakville’s Canada Day
Canada Day in Oshawa
Canada Day in Vaughan
Canada Day in Richmond Hill
The City of Burlington’s Canada Day
Paint the Town Red in Port Credit
Milton Canada Day
East York Toronto Canada Day
Canada Day at Queen’s Park
JULY 1–2
ALL WEEKEND
Canada Day at Harbourfront Centre
Oh Canada Ribfest in Waterdown
FESTIVALS
There are other things happening around the GTA that aren’t necessarily Canada-Day focused. Head to one of these great festivals for something a little different.
Toronto Ribfest
Kick off summer with great bands, tasty ribs, and much more at the Toronto Ribfest. Enjoy live music, entertainment, a kid fun zone including a magician and face painting, great food trucks, midway rides, and even fireworks on July 1!
All weekend
FringeKids Festival
During FringeKids Festival, you can enjoy daily theatre performances, and at FringeKids Club, you can participate in free activities, creative play stations, and open-air performances.
All weekend
Canada Day Strawberry Festival – FREE
Caledon is a great place to celebrate Canada Day. While you’re at it, why not celebrate strawberries too? At the Canada Day Strawberry Festival, families can enjoy an all day strawberry breakfast and BBQ, yummy desserts, a classic car show, free birthday cake and balloons, a village craft show, and more!
July 1
Toronto Waterfront Festival – FREE
The annual Redpath Waterfront Festival is a great place to celebrate Canada Day. There will be live entertainment, delicious food, and tons of great family fun, including roaming buskers, the Ultimutts Stunt Dog Show, live music, a green screen photo booth, and more. Kids can also see the tall ships in the harbor and learn all about the Franklin shipwreck. The night comes to a close after the Harbourfront fireworks.
All weekend
OTHER EVENTS
Celebrate Canada Day with Parks Canada at the Toronto Zoo
Head to the Toronto Zoo to celebrate Canadian species this Canada Day. Kids can practice their observing skills with the help of their Parks Canada Xplorers Booklet. Afterwards you’ll get a souvenir to take home! And while you’re there, don’t forget to visit the giant panda cubs to help them celebrate their first Canada Day!
July 1
Canada Day Celebration at Black Creek Pioneer Village
The Canada Day Celebration at Black Creek Pioneer Village combines the past and the future. Family activities include traditional games, wagon rides, food tasting, village tours, visiting the farm animals, and welcoming new Canadian citizens. It’s a full day of family fun.
July 1
Fireworks at Canada’s Wonderland
Spend a fun-filled day enjoying all the awesome rides, coasters and attractions, and then finish your day with an action-packed fireworks display (complete with original soundtrack) over Wonder Mountain.
July 1
Welcome to Canada Day at Westfield Heritage Village
Visit Westfield Heritage Village for Welcome to Canada Day. Enjoy the historic buildings, gardens, and forest, and learn the fascinating stories of some of the country’s earliest immigrants. This is a great opportunity for new Canadians to experience the history of Canada.
July 1
Canada Day Celebration at Wild Water Works
Spend the day splashing around at the Canada Day Celebration at Wild Water Works. If you wear red and white you get $3 off admission, and everyone can celebrate with pins, flags, stickers, and cake! There will also be lots of Canada-themed games and contests all day long.
July 1
Family Pride during Pride Week – FREE
Celebrate diversity with great family-friendly programing at Family Pride, including sports, games, face painting, story telling, arts and crafts, live performances, and other engaging activities. It will be an unforgettable day!
July 2–3
Shrine Circus in Markham
The Shrine Circus is an event for the whole family! Kids and adults alike will love watching the acrobats, clowns, and animal performers. It will be a shared experience that crosses generations, giving you a shared experience the whole family will remember for years to come.
All weekend
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
- 3 Awesome Family Road Trip Itineraries
- 10 Fun Family Day Trips From Toronto
- Family-Friendly Summer Fun Ideas in the GTA
Stay up-to-date on family-friendly fun by checking out our Toronto Event Listings, or find something fun to do in our Fun Things to Do With Kids in Toronto directory.
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