Canada Day fireworks & celebrations in and around Toronto

Happy birthday, Canada! The country turns 146 on July 1 and to celebrate, there will be fireworks, barbeques and parties across the GTA.

Toronto’s official Canada Day celebration will take place July 1 at Mel Lastman Square in North York and city spokesperson Giannina Warren promised the evening – which will include a variety of different music and dance genres – will finish with a “jaw-dropping” fireworks finale.

Starting at 5 p.m, there will be music and dance performances as well as arts and crafts for children. Lisa Odjig, a two-time world champion hoop dancer, as well as the Northbuck Krumping, one of Canada’s premier dance companies specializing in Krump – will take the stage.

Kids can make their own Canada Day hat or dancing moose puppet.

“There’s a last-minute addition to our lineup – Zero Gravity Circus will presents their show Open Air Big Top in the Garden Court at the Square,” Warren said.

The aerial acrobats will perform at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m.

At 8 p.m., Aboriginal pop group She King will perform, followed by two-time Juno-Award winner Derek Miller at 9:15 pm.

“Canada Day would not be complete without our famous fireworks show,” Warren said. That will begin at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Here’s a look at what else is happening across the city:

Ashbridges Bay

Fireworks will light up the sky starting at 9:30 p.m. at Ashbridges Bay Park, near Lake Shore Boulevard and Coxwell Avenue area. Free.

Click here for more.

Canada’s Wonderland

The Vaughan theme park will once again be showcasing its massive fireworks display at 10 p.m.  The show is included with the price of admission.

Click here for more.

Toronto Ribfest at Centennial Park

The annual family-friendly celebration runs June 28 – July 1 at Etobicoke’s Centennial Park, with live music, a children’s show every day at noon, and of course, ribs. There will be 16 vendors on hand, including halal options. $2.

Click here for more.

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Travel back in time with horse-drawn wagon rides , tours of the historic village – and “ancient” ales in the brewery for adults. Forty people will also be sworn in as Canadian citizens.  Adult admission $15, kids (five-15) $11. Kids under four are free.

Click here for more.

Toronto Blue Jays

The boys of summer take on the Detroit Tigers at the Rogers Centre. Special for Canada Day: the first 20,000 fans to enter Rogers Centre will receive a replica red Blue Jays Cap. Game time 1:07 p.m.

Click here for more.

CHIN Picnic

The 47th annual picnic – billed as the largest, free, multicultural event of its kind in the world- runs for three days at Exhibition Place. Last year, more than 250,000 attended, taking in live music, a petting zoo and the ever-popular bikini competitions. June 29-July 1. Free.

Click here for more.

Canada Day Cruise

The Mariposa company is offering its annual harbour cruise and this year, there are two options. The larger Mariposa cruise has dinner, dancing and fireworks as seen from the water. If a full cruise doesn’t float your boat, try the smaller (and less-expensive) Oriole experience just to watch the fireworks from the inner harbour. $25-$82.95.

Click here for more.

Digital Dreams Music Festival

Electronic Nation presents the first and only multi-day EDM festival in downtown Toronto. A slew of artists – including Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk and Datsik – will cover three stages at The Flats at Ontario Place. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday.

Click here for more.

Dominion Day Regatta

Head down to Centre Island to watch the 129th annual Canada Day regatta. The races alternate between rowing, canoe, kayak, and dragon boat teams – and if you’ve watched (or raced) in the past, the club is looking for old programs and memories.

Click here for more.

East York – July 1st Parade

East York has celebrated Canada Day with a parade for over 50 years. This year, it begins with a motorcade and ends with performances from the Trip Doubt Celtic Rock Band and Slim Chance and the Blue Horizon – and of course, fireworks.

Click here for more.

Harbourfront Centre

Elliott Brood headlines the culturally diverse three-day event at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre. Dance is the central theme for the weekend, but there’s plenty else on offer, including a global market and performances from Alex Cuba. Fireworks are Sunday night.

Click here for more.

Queen’s Park

The day will begin at noon with a 21-gun salute and will be followed by music and dance performances on multiple stages. There’s a main stage, a children’s stage and a dance stage, plus activities all over the legislature grounds. There will be face-painting, a video arcade and ostriches. Yes, ostriches.

Click here for more.

OUTSIDE TORONTO

Canada Day at Mississauga’s Celebration Square

Begin the day with food truck eats and circus performances, and end with fireworks and music from Down With Webster. The Beaches-based band headlines the free Mississauga show, across from Square One.  DJ duo Kissette, Crystalyne, Eleven Past One and Young Empires will also perform.

The event begins at 4 p.m. and runs until 10:30 p.m.

Click here for more.

Vaughan Celebrates Canada Day  

Clubland singer Mia Martina and dance band These Kids Wear Crowns headline the celebration at Mackenzie Glen District Park in Maple. There’s also an inflatable zone for the kids. The free event runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Heads up: There is no public parking at the park, but free shuttles will run from Vaughan City Hall to the event site.

Click here for more.

Richmond Hill Canada Day Party

Local singer Jesse Labelle, who is touring in support of his latest album Two, headlines the day-long party at Richmond Green Park (at the northwest corner of Elgin Mills Road East and Leslie Street).

There’s also a multicultural food fair, a Bavarian garden, a children’s village and a teen zone. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.

Click here for more.

Celebrate Canada Day in Barrie

The family-friendly event kicks off in Kempenfelt Bay at 1 p.m. The Kids Fun Zone in Heritage Park features face painting and games, while at Memorial Square, there’s free entertainment all day long.

Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

Click here for more.

City of Brampton celebrates Canada Day

Canadian rockers Hedley and special guest Anjulie will headline the Canada Day concert at Donald M. Gordon Chinguacousy Park. The event begins at noon with performances on the community stage and amusement rides, a splash pad, mini putt and petting zoo in the park. Main stage events begin at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

Click here for more.