If any day truly captures the spirit and pride of living in our amazing nation, it’s Canada Day. We’re celebrating our country’s 152nd birthday this year and Calgary has lots planned! The celebrations start in the morning and go well after dark, so there are great options for all families, both early birds and night owls alike. Here’s a run-down of the Canada Day events going on in our vibrant city (and other cities nearby) on July 1.
Heritage Park
There’s no better place in Calgary to spend Canada Day than Heritage Park Historical Village! Travel back in time with your little ones and celebrate Canada’s birthday in historical style. Stop by for a day packed full of fun for everyone, including a free pancake breakfast for the first 2,019 guests through the gates before 10:30 am!
Read more about it here.
Fort Calgary
Outside on the grounds, grab a bite from the food trucks’ caravan, take the kids to the Fort Calgary Kids’ Zone (crafts, games, and artifacts!), meet your neighbourhood champions at the Community Tent Village, get a free temporary tattoo with the Girl Guides of Canada, and see the North West Mounted Police brass band perform live! (Outdoor activities are free!)
Read more about it here.
City of Calgary Parks
This Canada Day, gather the family, as the City of Calgary Parks have something to suit all tastes and interests. Check out Prince’s Island Park or Riverfront Ave. Watch the fireworks when they go off over the Centre St Bridge.
Read more about it here.
Canada Day Canoe Races
Come join the second annual Canada Day Canoe Races at Bowness Park! This is a free event and all boats and necessary accessories are included. No need to pre-register, sign-up begins at 8:45 am. Each canoe can hold up to three adults, or two adults and two children under 90 lbs. They will have beginner, intermediate, advanced, and family heats.
Read more about it here.
Studio Bell
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (NMC), is ready to rock for Canada’s birthday! Explore Canada’s rich musical history through five floors of exhibitions, and enjoy live tunes, pop-up activities, and FREE admission all day on July 1, courtesy of Bell. Canada Day also marks Studio Bell’s third anniversary.
Read more about it here.
East Village Street Fair
Celebrate Canada’s birthday at the East Village Street Fair. East Village is a vibrant, emerging community near Calgary’s core and is centrally located for many of Calgary’s family destinations. Visit vendors and food trucks and enjoy music, entertainment and children’s activities!
Read more about it here.
Photo Credit: Melissa Vroon
Chinatown
Calgary’s Chinatown is hosting an all-day celebration of Canada’s birthday and the decades of Chinese contributions to this great country. Enjoy cultural performances and family-friendly activities, or visit the wonderful stores and indulge your taste buds with culinary delights. You can spin a wheel to receive discounts on cultural experiences, colour your Chinese zodiac, and make a Calgary Chinatown pin. Read more about it here.
Calaway Park
For all the tykes and teens who love amusement parks, head to Calaway Park this Canada Day! There will be surprise giveaways all day long. Plus, you can enjoy rides, shows, and treats to your heart’s content!
Read more about it here.
Prairie Winds Park
Canada Day is a time to celebrate the opportunities, freedoms, and rights our beautiful homeland has given us. It’s an occasion to reflect back and look forward. Mark this auspicious moment by participating in the annual Canada Day celebrations hosted by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at at Prairie Winds Park. Enjoy a free BBQ, mingle with friends and fellow community members, and participate in numerous fun activities. Read more about it here.
The King Eddy
Celebrate this Canada Day King Eddy-style, with live music! The King Eddy is presenting No Cover Canada Day, a family-friendly bash in celebration of Canada’s 152nd birthday with a roster of local youth. From 10 am to 6 pm, enjoy performers that include youth showcases from Major Minor Music Project, Girls Rock Camp Calgary, and the School of Rock Calgary, plus live DJs playing an all-Canadian soundtrack. There will be no cover fee all day. Read more about it here.
Eau Claire Market
There’s an all-day party at Eau Claire Market for Canada’s birthday! This is a perfect family event, with free activities for all ages. There will be free ice cream (while supplies last), live entertainment, an artisan market, children’s crafts, face painting, airbrush tattoos, a petting zoo, magicians and much more!
Read more about it here.
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino
Celebrate Canada Day with the whole family at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino! Enjoy free pony rides, face painters, glitter tattoos, and of course, horse racing, from 12 – 4:30 pm!
Read more about it here.
Central Library
For many, the library is one of the best resources in our community. Central Library will be open on Canada Day and they are welcoming Calgarians to enjoy family-friendly activities, including storytimes, arts and crafts activities, Indigenous games and tipi raising, and even a road hockey game. Read more about it here.
Olympic Plaza
This Canada Day, you can celebrate our country’s birthday AND the Mac and Cheese Festival at Olympic Plaza! North America’s largest food festival is celebrating everything mac and cheese with celebrity chefs, savvy cooks, and talented entrepreneurs creating new concoctions of mac and cheese for fans to try. This event raises funds for charities. Yum!
Read more about it here.
Southcentre Mall
Start a new summertime tradition by celebrating Canada Day with Southcentre Mall and CRAFT Beer Market! Spend July 1st enjoying the sunshine, a few beverages, getting a bite to eat, and watching some street hockey at this one-day-only event, including a Beer Garden presented CRAFT.
Read more about it here.
Springs Church Outdoor Carnival
Bring out your friends & neighbours and celebrate Canada Day together at Springs Church Calgary. There will be lots of fun activities for all ages! It’s sure to be a beautiful day in the sun. The event is open to everyone and general admission is free, however, with the purchase of a $5 wristband (ages 2 & under are no cost), there are lots of activities included.
Read more about it here.
Block Party at Max Bell
MarketSpot YYC & True Rhythm present the 6th Annual Canada Day Block Party! There will be a market, entertainment, and a kids’ zone.
This FREE, family-friendly, pet-friendly event on Canada Day also offers a perfect viewing of the fireworks!
Read more about it here.
Laser Quest
This Canada Day, come out and celebrate Canada’s birthday by playing a laser tag game for only $5 between 12 and 5 pm! Burn some energy, spend quality time with family, and have a blast in the multi-level arenas that have speciality lighting, swirling fog, and energetic music to add to the excitement! Be sure to reserve your spot. Read more about it here.
Fireworks Over the Centre Street Bridge
Finish your Canada Day in Calgary with a bang! This world-class fireworks show is synchronized with live music broadcast on 101.5 Kool FM and Wild 95.3 FM. The fireworks get set off over the Centre St. Bridge.
If you are wanting to celebrate Canada Day outside the city, here are some Canada Day celebrations not too far away.
Cochrane
Come on out to Mitford Park in Cochrane and enjoy this free Canada Day event from 12 – 11 pm. The day is filled with music, entertainment, fun, games, and food for the whole family! Entertainment at Mitford Park includes a dunk tank, human whack-a-mole, petting zoo, pony rides, arrow tag, bouncy castles, oversized board games, roaming characters, balloon twisters, henna and sparkle tattoos, face painting, and kids crafts. There’s also a food truck area and great bands and entertainment. Read more about it here.
Canmore
This Canada Day, drive a bit down the highway and experience all that Canmore has to offer for Canada Day. There’s a parade, a fun run, a pancake breakfast, and a party in the park. Then, to top it all off, enjoy fireworks at dusk!
Read more about it here.
Banff
The Town of Banff is the perfect place to celebrate Canada’s birthday on July 1! Fantastic family-friendly events run throughout the day, including the famous parade down Banff Avenue. From bands to balloon animals to birthday cake, Banff has something for every family.
Read more about it here.
Millarville
Hosted by the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society, the Millarville Races have been a tradition since 1905. This year’s races include ladies’ sidesaddle, thoroughbred horse racing with Pari-Mutuel Betting, stock races, and pack horse races. Children can also participate in activities such as face-painting, a petting zoo, foot races, and more! Between the races feel free to peruse a smaller version of the Millarville Farmers Market or unwind in the Beer Garden. Tickets are $10 and kids 12 and under are free. Read more about it here.
Airdrie
Celebrate Canada Day in Airdrie and start the day off with a parade at 10 am on Main Street. Enjoy the day and then head over to Chinook Winds Park at 10:45 pm (dusk) for fireworks!
Read more about it here.
Okotoks
Okotoks Recreation Centre is celebrating Canada’s birthday with family fun and activity. Enjoy free swim and gym all day and multi-cultural activities and kids arts and crafts from 11 am – 3 pm. Read more about it here.
Chestermere
Come to Chestermere this Canada Day for a great birthday celebration! Enjoy a free pancake breakfast and visit the Library for a special celebration. There will be kids’ games, crafts, a trading post, and other entertainment. Try some birthday cake, fireworks, and dancing under the stars.
Read more about it here.
Bar U Ranch
This Canada Day, ride into history on a wagon pulled by Percheron horses to discover the life of a ranching cowboy from the late 1800s at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. Try your hand at cowboy skills, learn about the old-style ranching ways, wander through the rustic and authentic buildings or sit around the campfire and listen to old-time tales. Backdropped by the Rocky mountains – it’s a true Alberta experience! FREE admission on Canada Day and birthday cake. Read more about it here.
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