Canada Day takes place on a Wednesday this year, which might be a bit inconvenient for long weekend plans — but that doesn’t mean we still can’t celebrate! When Wednesday rolls around, the city is going to be bursting with colour as fireworks displays take place across Toronto. Check out all the best locations to catch one of these bright showcases on July 1.
Mel Lastman Square
A free, family-friendly celebration is taking over Mel Lastman Square, leading up to the grand fireworks display at 10 p.m. Spend the day enjoying live entertainment that includes dance lessons, a magic show and jazz band, be amazed by roaming busker entertainment, try out some free arts and crafts, get some face paint done and hop around on jumping castles and inflatable rides at the kids zone. There will also be a food and vendor fair, with local shops offering specialty gifts.
Ashbridges Bay Park
A popular spot for fireworks for holidays year-round, including Victoria Day, Ashbridges Bay Park will once again be the place to be to celebrate Canada Day. Take a more lowkey approach to the holiday having a picnic by the lake, going for a swim or taking a stroll along the Woodbine Beach Boardwalk before settling in for the 15-minute dazzling fireworks show — happening over the bay at 10 p.m. at Toronto’s eastern waterfront.
Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre will be lighting up the waterfront to celebrate Canada Day this year! Before the fireworks show begins at 10:45 p.m., you can enjoy a day of festivities, including live music, local eats, outdoor art and of course, plenty of World Cup-themed fun. Check out the floating futsal pitch or visit the new Ontario Science Centre location before settling in for a colourful show in the sky!
Milliken Park
This Scarborough park will be a go-to spot for Canada Day fireworks again when July 1 rolls around. Be sure to come prepared: have a blanket or a couple of camping chairs ready so you’ve got the best view of the fireworks display, which will kick off at 10 p.m.
Stan Wadlow Park
East York’s Stan Wadlow Park will have more than just fireworks on July 1 — it will also be home to a Canada Day Festival, the longest-running event of its kind in the city (and celebrating 70 years this year!). Beginning with a parade at 10:30 a.m., the park will then be filled with main stage entertainment, midway rides, activities for kids, an artisan market, food vendors and even a beer garden. End your Canada Day with a bang — literally — as the fireworks show takes to the sky at 10 p.m.
Amesbury Park
This multi-use North York park has all the amenities you need for the perfect Canada Day. Play some tennis, try out bocce, cool off in the splash pad or get in on the pickleball obsession. Then, stick around for the fireworks display over Amesbury Park, happening at 10 p.m. Other full-day festivities may include a flea market, jumping castles, live music and food trucks.
Canada’s Wonderland
Anyone in the GTA knows that Canada’s Wonderland is the place to be for any holiday celebrations, thanks to their fireworks displays. Spend the day testing out the park’s latest rides and chowing down on your favourite park snack (funnel cakes, anyone?) before the fireworks show starts at 10 p.m. on July 1. This year, the amusement park will also be honouring Canada’s birthday with Celebration Canada, running from July 1–5. This festival features performances from Indigenous band the Smoke Trail Singers, as well as a themed menu that is inspired by the country’s top dishes, including poutine, peameal bacon sliders, jerk chicken flatbread and butter tarts.
