As Canada marks its 158th birthday on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, celebrations are set to light up communities from Calgary to the Sunshine Coast, Greater Victoria, and beyond. Across the nation, Canadians will gather to commemorate their country’s rich history, vibrant culture, and shared values with a wide array of festivities, from fireworks and concerts to parades and family-friendly activities.
In Calgary, the heart of the celebrations will be downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods, where events promise to keep the city buzzing all day long. The fireworks display, a highlight for many, is scheduled to begin around 11 p.m. Mountain Time, launched from Stampede Park. However, the best vantage point is The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, as on-site viewing at the Stampede Grounds is closed due to preparations for the upcoming Calgary Stampede. The Confluence will also host the city’s main stage evening show, featuring Canadian music heavyweights such as the Sam Roberts Band, Aysanabee, Big Sugar, and Lu Kala.
Beyond the main stage, Calgary’s cultural offerings include free admission to The Confluence’s cultural centre, Canadian History Trivia at Burnswest Theatre, and a walking tour that celebrates the diverse people who shaped the city. For country music fans, Spruce Meadows in the southwest will present an outdoor show by Brett Kissel, alongside a horse race, corgi races, and a kids’ zone complete with mini-animals, pony rides, and arcade games.
Music lovers can also enjoy performances at Studio Bell, the King Eddy, and two outdoor stages on St. Patrick’s Island, where food vendors, face painting, and airbrush tattoos will add to the festive atmosphere. The East Village Street Fair runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring more than 50 vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden. Other notable celebrations include afternoon tea at Heritage Park, pin and flag stations at Calaway Park, and a diverse cultural program at the Chinese Cultural Centre, showcasing dances, martial arts, vendors, and a children’s area.
Transportation around Calgary will run on a Sunday schedule, with free parking available in on-street ParkPlus zones and Calgary Parking parkades, except for certain locations where weekend rates apply. Key roads in the East Village will be closed from 6 a.m. until midnight to accommodate the events. Meanwhile, Calgary’s Central Library will open its doors for free activities such as storytime, Indigenous dance demonstrations, and a citizenship ceremony, though other library branches will be closed.
Elsewhere in Alberta, nearby communities are joining the festivities with their own unique events. Airdrie will host a parade, rodeo, and fireworks, while Okotoks offers a mobile obstacle course, dance performances, and its own fireworks show. Cochrane’s Mitford Park will be alive with live entertainment and activities, culminating in fireworks. Further west, Banff’s celebration includes a parade, farmers’ market, musicians, dancers, lawn games, and circus workshops. Canmore will host a fun run and walk organized by the Nordic Ski Club, alongside a parade celebrating local plants and animals.
In the Toronto region, Metrolinx is encouraging residents to plan ahead and take GO Transit to Canada Day festivities safely and conveniently. On July 1, GO Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule, with $10 online holiday and weekend day passes offering unlimited travel. Free transfers with One Fare between GO Transit and most local transit systems, including the TTC, are available. Kids 12 and under ride free, and seniors 65 and older receive a 55% discount with their PRESTO cards. To add to the festivities, Metrolinx will feature a special custom-wrapped Canada Day themed double-decker GO Bus and GO Train, proudly displaying the national flag and community pride.
On Canada’s west coast, Greater Victoria and surrounding municipalities are gearing up for vibrant celebrations. The city of Victoria’s programming begins at 11 a.m. around the Inner Harbour and legislature grounds, including a busking showcase at Ship Point, a Kid Zone near the Royal B.C. Museum, and a stage featuring all-B.C. performers from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Headliners include Delhi 2 Dublin, with other acts such as Blue Moon Marquee, MIINA, DJ Boitano, and the REACH! Performing Company, which will perform the national anthem. The evening will conclude with fireworks over the Inner Harbour at 10:20 p.m. Street closures and increased police presence, including drone surveillance, will ensure safety during the festivities.
Other Vancouver Island communities are hosting their own events. Saanich’s Gorge Canada Day Picnic returns for its 25th year, featuring live entertainment, a bike decorating contest, pancake breakfast, Family Parade, Canada Day Market, and a Show and Shine Car Show. Sidney’s celebrations begin Monday evening with an opening ceremony and fireworks, followed by a parade and Family Fun Fair on Tuesday. The annual Build A Boat competition will also take place, challenging participants to create and sail homemade boats.
Langford’s Starlight Stadium will buzz with activity, including live music, Indigenous performances, a pancake breakfast, a hot wings eating contest, a firefighter obstacle course, and magic shows. Colwood’s “Canada Day by the Sea” event at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse offers historic demonstrations, a 21-gun salute, live music by the 5th (B.C.) Field Artillery Regiment, and family-friendly activities, with free shuttle service available.
Other Vancouver Island celebrations include Sooke’s event at Fred Milne Park with live music, magic shows, and cupcake giveaways; Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton Park with live music and cultural programming; and Comox Valley’s “Night Before” concert and Courtenay Museum open house, featuring live music and kids’ crafts.
Along the Sunshine Coast, communities like Gibsons and Sechelt are hosting lively Canada Day events. Gibsons celebrates with a tribute to the iconic CBC television series The Beachcombers, including a chance to see the jetboat used in the show, screenings, and Q&A sessions with actor Jackson Davies. The Gibsons Legion offers a pancake breakfast, beer garden, live music, and food trucks, while Winegarden Park hosts a free barbecue, children’s games, and performances by bands such as Stompin’ Ron & Crazy Eh’s Band and Nearly Neil and the Solitary Band.
Sechelt’s festivities mark the conclusion of the 11-day syíyaya Days celebration of Indigenous culture and reconciliation. The day features a pancake breakfast, a parade themed “Colour & Sound,” a festival at Hackett Park with live performances, and the “Trial by Fire” firefighter skills competition. Additional music and entertainment will be available at venues such as the Sechelt Legion and Lighthouse Pub. Powell River’s Willingdon Beach rounds out the day with live music, bouncy castles, games, vendors, and fireworks.
From coast to coast, Canada Day 2025 offers a rich tapestry of events that unite communities in celebration of the nation’s heritage and future. Whether through music, history, sport, or simply gathering with loved ones, Canadians have countless ways to express their pride and joy on this special day.
