Toronto offers at least a dozen venues for celebrating Canada Day 2013. I’ve selected these as either free or inexpensive; most are annual summer Toronto events. (Added June 23, 2013): This article now lists over a dozen; see the updates about Ashbridges Bay versus Woodbine Park.
This article presents the venues in alphabetical order. It’s up to you to double-check the dates and times, since some run all weekend whereas others are limited to Canada Day, July 1st. By popular demand, I’ve highlighted where to see fireworks displays in Toronto.
Remember that the TTC will be running on “Sunday and holiday schedule”, so check the timing for your routes.
Amesbury Park for the Canada Day Weekend
Amesbury Park needs both Sunday and Monday to celebrate Canada Day 2013.
One unique feature is the “strongman and strongwoman” show, running Sunday and Monday. There’s competition as well as demonstration.
Canada Day 2013 in Amesbury Park also offers a 2-day talent search.
Sunday’s events run from 5-10pm. On Monday, Canada Day, events start at 11am and end with a bang at 10pm.
Amesbury Park is at 1507 Lawrence Ave. West, between Keele Street and Black Creek Drive.
The official 2013 Canada Day at Amesbury Park web site has more details.
A Canada Day Firework Display at Amesbury Park
Amesbury Park will light its Canada Day fireworks at 9:45pm on Monday July 1, 2013.
What about Ashbridges Bay Fireworks?
(Added June 29, 2013): Several sources state that Ashbridges Bay will host fireworks on Monday, Canada Day, around 9:30 or 10pm. I’d hesitated to report this originally, since Q107 says that Woodbine Beach Park will hold fireworks that night also. These venues are close neighbours, off Lake Shore Blvd East at the foot of Coxwell Avenue. On Victoria Day, I watched the Ashbridges Bay fireworks from the southwest corner of Woodbine Park. Maybe this will be a two-for-one event; maybe they will share the glory.
CHIN up at the Canadian National Exhibition: the Canada Day CHIN Picnic
The CHIN picnic is one of the most famous annual free events in Toronto. Head to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) from Saturday June 29 through Monday July 1st. (Take the 511 Bathurst streetcar south from the Bloor subway line).
While the beauty and beefcake pageants garner the headlines, the 2013 CHIN International Picnic also hosts a cycling competition. The Provincial Criterium Championship rolls through the CNE grounds on Monday from 8am to 4pm.
See the CHIN Picnic on the 2013 Canada Day Weekend for the details.
The CHIN Picnic Firework Show on Saturday June 29
Surprisingly, the CHIN Picnic launches its fireworks early, on Sat. June 29. Why wait for Canada Day?
Centennial Park for the Toronto Ribfest on Canada Day 2013
Centennial Park advertises the Toronto Ribfest as its main 2013 Canada Day attraction. It runs from Friday June 28 at 11am through July 1 at 11pm, although I suspect they close up shop for 12 hours every morning.
This is a fundraising event for Canada Helps; they ask for a $2 donation as “admission” and the ribs are not free. The parking is free, so it’s worth driving to the Eglinton/Reforth/Rathburn park. (It’s south of the 401 and west of the 427, for those not familiar with this location.
Naturally there’s music and entertainment all weekend, as well as midway rides. See Toronto Ribfest at Centennial Park on Canada Day for more details.
The Canada Day Firework Display in Centennial Park
Centennial Park will light its Canada Day fireworks at 10pm on Monday July 1, 2013.
The Centre Island Regatta for 2013 Canada Day
Centre Island has been hosting a regatta on the Canada Day weekend for more than a century.
I’m not surprised that the Centre Island Regatta includes canoe, dragon boat, kayak and rowing competitions. I am surprised that the Toronto Island Ferry schedule changes in support of this Canada Day event: the first ferry departs at 7:30am on July 1st and every half-hour thereafter. Go to Queen’s Quay at Bay Street to catch the Toronto Centre Island ferry.
Check the 2013 Canada Day Regatta at Centre Island web site for the breadth of events.
East York’s Canada Day Parade and Celebration
The annual East York July First Canada Day Parade challenges me to confine it to one geographic site. The parade starts on July 1st at 9:30am in Thorncliff Park at Overlea Blvd. The route includes Thorncliff Park Drive, Overlea, Millwood, Donlands, Cosburn, Coxwell, Sammon, Woodbine and Trenton to end at Cedarvale Avenue and Stan Wadlow Park.
As a motorcade, the parade should finish its ambitious route, after starting at 9:30am, in time for “opening ceremonies” at noon. The final musical act begins at 9pm.
(Updated June 28, 2013): The e-newsletter from Councillor Janet Davis notes that the first event is a 7:30am Citizenship Court in the East York Civic Centre, which is at Coxwell and Mortimer. The parade does indeed start at 9:30, at Thorncliff Park and Overlea. Let me add that Stan Wadlow Park is bounded by Cedarvale Ave. on the east, Cosburn Ave. on the south, Haldon Ave. on the east, and Taylor Creek Park to the north.
Canada Day Fireworks Display at the East York July First Celebration
The East York Canada Day fireworks show is scheduled for 10:15pm in Stan Wadlow Park.
His male organ fails viagra samples to penetrate due to extremely softness and inactiveness. Dosage of Forzest One should consume only one viagra in italy pill is to be enough for the next 24 hours. Thus, it executes only when a free generic cialis male body has sexual arousal. Drinking Alcohol: while you are http://frankkrauseautomotive.com/testimonial/great-experience/ purchase female viagra consuming Hucog 5000iu Injection, it is recommended not to drink alcohol much.
Harbourfront Hosts Triple Canada Day Weekend Events
Harbourfront runs events all weekend from June 28th through July 1st. The overview for Canada Day at Harbourfront lists the entertainment and times.
I want to highlight “Songs Across the Waters“, the first “Harbourfront Music Garden” concert for the 2013 season, Thursday June 27 at 7pm. This free concert features aboriginal musicians and singers. In my view, it’s the perfect way to start the Canada Day weekend. The Music Garden is on Queen’s Quay at the southern tip of Spadina Avenue.
Early but Late Canada Day Fireworks at Toronto Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront also launches fireworks just prior to Canada Day. Head to 235 Queen’s Quay West (at the foot of Simcoe Street, between York and Spadina) on Sunday June 30 for the 10:30pm fireworks display. (It’s “early” because it’s before Canada Day; but 10:30pm is pretty “late” for Toronto fireworks).
High Park in Toronto on Canada Day 2013
High Park hosts Peggy’s Canada Day Celebration on July 1st from 11am to 2:30pm. (That link goes to a City of Toronto page, with a link to details on a Facebook page). Exit the Bloor subway at the High Park station.
Mel Lastman Square for Toronto’s Official Canada Day Celebration
It seems that the City of Toronto officially celebrates Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square on Monday July 1. The show starts at 5pm with music and crafts for children. The lineup of performers is at “Canada Day 2013 in Mel Lastman Square“.
Take the Yonge subway to the North York Centre subway station.
The 2013 Canada Day Fireworks Show at Mel Lastman Square
Fireworks will light Mel Lastman Square at 10:15pm on July 1st, 2013.
Milliken Park for 2013 Canada Day Fireworks
(Added June 30, 2013): I missed a one-liner from Toronto Parks and Recreation: the fireworks display will begin at dusk on July 1, 2013 in Milliken Park. The street address is 5555 Steeles Avenue East, near McCowan.
Queen’s Park for a Provincial Canada Day
Queen’s Park hosts Canada Day celebrations on July 1st, from the 21-gun salute at noon, with entertainment including jazz until 5pm. The site puts an emphasis on family fun; it’s also the only one to remind me that July 1st had been known as “Dominion Day”.
Scarborough Civic Centre to Start a Canada Day Parade
The Scarborough Canada Day Parade actually starts west of the Civic Centre, on Brimley Road, at 4pm. It ends at Lawrence Avenue.
Your mission, should you choose to watch the marching bands, antique cars and Miss Toronto, is to get to the sidewalk on Brimley without driving on or across the closed parade route.
Thomson Park Celebrates Canada Day 2013 in Scarborough
(Added June 30, 2013): For the second year in a row, I’ve had to be reminded that Toronto Parks and Recreation celebrates Canada Day in Thomson Park from 10am to 4pm. Start with a pancake brunch, enjoy the entertainment, explore the on-site museum and have your children participate in an arts and crafts program.
Thomson Park surrounds West Highland Creek; find it at Lawrence Avenue East and Brimley Road.
Woodbine Beach Park on Canada Day
The sign at Toronto’s Woodbine Park says that Q107 hosts the July 1st Canada Day festival from noon-10pm, for free, come rain or shine.
Woodbine Beach Park, as Q107 calls it, is south of Queen Street East; it’s bounded by Coxwell Avenue, Eastern Avenue (the southern extension of Kingston Road), Northern Dancer and Lake Shore Blvd East. Take the 22 Coxwell bus or 92 Woodbine bus south from the Danforth subway line.
Firework Display at Dusk at Woodbine Beach Park in Toronto
Fireworks will conclude the Q107 Canada Day 2013 celebration at Woodbine Beach Park. (Added June 29, 2013): Today I added a paragraph for the Ashbridges Bay fireworks on Canada Day; goodness knows whether these close neighbours will compete or cooperate on the fireworks show.
Yonge Dundas Square Hosts a Multicultural Canada Day 2013
The Community Folk Art Council of Toronto proudly presents its annual Multicultural Canada Day at Yonge Dundas Square. Music, food and crafts all reflect our international heritage from noon to 9pm.
You just knew I’d recommend taking the Yonge subway to this downtown Toronto event, yes?
Which Venue Do You Prefer for Canada Day in Toronto?
Let me know your favourite venue for celebrating Canada Day in Toronto.
Or if f I’ve missed anything, especially a fireworks show, send an e-mail.
For those living outside the city of Toronto, I recently suggested “Eleven Free Toronto GTA Fireworks Displays for Canada Day 2013“.
Looking for More Annual Events or a Holiday in Toronto?
You can find more annual events for your vacation in Toronto; or for local residents wanting things to do in Toronto on almost any weekend in the year.
Ideas for a Toronto Vacation or Staycation
Check the “annual events” or “Toronto events” categories toward the end of the left-hand menu. I especially like to cover summer attractions and special events in Toronto; but especially for Canadian holidays.
CityPASS offers discount tickets to Toronto attractions, including Metro Toronto Zoo coupons. You buy the voucher online, print it and take it to your first destination; let’s say it’s the zoo. They give you the coupon booklet but remove the Metro Toronto Zoo discount tickets. Visit the next four attractions, where helpful staff relieve your booklet of tickets but leave you with the rest of the information. You save over $40 by spending about $70. The voucher is good for almost two years, but you have to use all the discount admission tickets within nine days. This is terrific for tourists looking for multiple things to do in Toronto, or for a hometown stay-cation: use discount tickets to Casa Loma, the CN Tower, the Metro Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum in a nine day adventure. That’s five things to do in Toronto, and at a bargain price thanks to the discount coupons.
Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science and Decoded Pregnancy. That’s why DeHaan Services highlights these online articles on this site.
Thanks for reading about a dozen venues for the 2013 Canada Day celebrations in Toronto.
