City of Toronto marks Canada Day on July 1 with city-wide celebrations

Today, the City of Toronto announced a robust line-up of free programming for Canada Day, offering residents numerous ways to celebrate across Toronto, including signature annual fireworks displays at Centennial Park, Milliken Park, Stan Wadlow Park and Ashbridges Bay Park. Daytime activities will take place at Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square, Fort York National Historic Site and Thomson Memorial Park. Admission is free for all City-produced Canada Day events.

Residents are invited to celebrate Canada Day with many options to choose from, including:

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrations at Thomson Memorial Park (1005 Brimley Rd.): This event includes music, children’s crafts, a bouncy castle, a parade, a pancake breakfast and more.
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Moving Forward: Celebrating Chinese Communities at Fort York (250 Fort York Blvd.): Celebrating Canada Day and the vibrancy of Toronto’s Chinese communities with programming co-created with community partners on the centennial of the Chinese Immigration Act. Programming will include dancing, singing, remarks, face painting, food demos and tastings, storytelling and more.
• Noon to 6 p.m.:
  • Celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. W): Canada Day programming will be offered on Nathan Phillips Square for the first time since 2017, celebrating Toronto’s diverse communities with high-energy performances from Alpha Rhythm Roots, The Hitmen Drumline, Celtic duo Alana and Leigh Cline, family-friendly programming with Muse Arts and Picasso Painters, “The Giant Storybook” activity from the Department of Imaginary Affairs and more.
• Celebrations at Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St.): Annual Canada Day celebrations will return to Mel Lastman Square with live performances from The Haneen Woman Choir, Trash Panda Brass, JER, Celtic duo Alana and Leigh Cline and family-friendly activities showcasing newcomer artists.
• 10 p.m. Annual Canada Day fireworks display will take place in the following City parks:
  • Ashbridges Bay Park (1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E)
  • Centennial Park Etobicoke (256 Centennial Park Rd.) Also happening on this site on July 1 is the Rotary Club’s Rib Fest.
  • Milliken Park (5555 Steeles Ave. E)
  • Stan Wadlow Park (373 Cedarvale Ave.) Also happening on this site on July 1 is a community-led event, the East York Canada Day Festival 2023

Canada Day programming is funded in part by the Government of Canada, Official Sponsor Tim Hortons and media partner the Toronto Star. Full sponsorship details are available on the City’s Canada Day webpage.

The City acknowledges that July 1 is not a day of celebration for everyone, particularly First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. The City encourages everyone to take time this Canada Day to learn about Canada’s history and relationship with Indigenous communities and consider how each person can help advance truth, justice and reconciliation. The City remains committed to advancing truth, justice and reconciliation and is working closely with Indigenous partners and the Indigenous Affairs Office to implement the City’s first Reconciliation Action Plan.

The City continues to consider how residents experience Canada Day across Toronto so that it can deliver and invest in more diverse and inclusive activities.

Important Safety Reminders
Attending a fireworks display put on by professionals is always the safest. Residents planning backyard celebrations are allowed to set off fireworks on their property without a permit only on Victoria Day and Canada Day. A permit is required for all other days. Fireworks can be set off on one’s private property until 11 p.m., and fireworks are not allowed in parks, beaches, streets, parking lots or on private property not owned by the individual setting off the fireworks.

Dispose of used or unused fireworks by completely submerging them in water overnight, wrapping them in plastic bags, and putting them, in small quantities, in your garbage bin – up to 10 fireworks at a time. Additional quantities of fireworks should be placed in the garbage bin over separate garbage collection dates. Never dispose of fireworks in the blue bin (recycling) or green bin (organics). Learn more about fireworks rules, safety tips and proper disposal on the City’s Fireworks webpage.

Getting Around on July 1
For all Canada Day events the City or others are hosting, residents are encouraged to carpool, take public transit or Bike Share to help avoid any traffic and find an open parking spot.

Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks. Learn more about City-produced events and activities happening on Canada Day on the City’s Canada Day webpage.

Quotes:

“This Canada Day, I encourage residents to celebrate with a wide variety of free programming offered at eight locations across the city, from fireworks to family-friendly daytime activities. We are also pleased to be partnering with Toronto’s Chinese community to offer special Canada Day programming at Fort York that acknowledges the centennial of the Chinese Immigration Act. Not only does this add to the diversity of offerings this year, but it also acknowledges the history of anti-Asian racism in our country and the immeasurable contributions the Chinese community has made and continues to make to our city.”
– Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.