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Celebrate Canada Day in True Canadian Style
🍹 Canada’s Best Outdoor Patios
Did you know? Canada Day, celebrated on July 1st, marks the anniversary of the confederation of Canada in 1867. It’s a nationwide party featuring fireworks, concerts, parades, and barbecues. One quirky tradition is the "Living Flag" where people dress in red and white to form a giant Canadian flag!
LIVING
Celebrate Canada Day in True Canadian Style
Canada Day, celebrated annually on July 1st, marks the birth of Canada as a unified nation. This day is a joyous occasion filled with festivities, commemorations, and a deep sense of national pride.
The History of Canada Day
Canada Day traces its origins to July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act came into effect. This act united three colonies – the Province of Canada (now Ontario and Quebec), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
This momentous event marked the beginning of Canada’s journey towards full sovereignty. Originally called Dominion Day, the name was changed to Canada Day in 1982 to reflect the country’s independence and identity.
How to Celebrate Canada Day
Canada Day is celebrated with a variety of festivities that reflect the country’s rich cultural diversity and community spirit. Here’s how Canadians typically mark the occasion:
Fireworks and Parades: One of the highlights of Canada Day is the spectacular fireworks displays that light up the skies in cities and towns across the country. Parades featuring floats, marching bands, and performers are also a common sight.
Outdoor Activities: Many Canadians take advantage of the warm summer weather to enjoy outdoor activities such as picnics, barbecues, and beach outings.
Concerts and Performances: Major cities like Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver host large-scale concerts featuring both local and international artists.
Community Events: Local events such as cultural festivals, artisan markets, and sports tournaments provide opportunities for people to engage with their communities and celebrate their shared heritage.
Fun Facts About Canada Day
Multicultural Celebrations: Canada Day is a testament to the country’s multiculturalism, with celebrations often featuring diverse cultural performances, foods, and traditions from around the world.
Largest Canada Day Celebration: The largest Canada Day celebration takes place in Ottawa, the nation’s capital. Festivities on Parliament Hill include official ceremonies, musical performances, and a massive fireworks display that attracts thousands of spectators.
Canada Day is more than just a national holiday; it is a day to celebrate the values of freedom, diversity, and unity that define the Canadian identity. Happy Canada Day!
CANADA EH?
Things To Do Around You:
Take advantage of Canada Day on July 1 with spectacular free fireworks at Ashbridges Bay, Centennial Park, Milliken Park, and Stan Wadlow Park in Toronto.
Enjoy July 1 at Vancouver's massive Canada Together event at Canada Place, Jack Poole Plaza, and surrounding streets. Enjoy activities, entertainment, and a spirit of reconciliation.
Join us for Canada Day on July 1, at the Old Port of Montreal. Enjoy family-friendly activities, and a swearing-in ceremony for new Canadians at Quai de l’Horloge.
Experience Canada Day at LeBreton Flats Park, Ottawa on July 1. Enjoy the daytime and evening performances plus a Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial Flypast and 10 p.m. fireworks.
Celebrate Canada's rich history and community diversity at Mill Woods Park, Edmonton, on July 1. Enjoy free, inclusive multicultural performances, dance, music, and fireworks.
Join us for KANA’TA celebrations on July 1. KANA’TA honors Mi’kmaw traditions and celebrates Indigenous cultures. End the day with fireworks at Pier 21 and Halifax Citadel National Historic site.
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TRAVEL
🍓 The Best Picnic Spots in Canada
Whether you’re seeking a serene beachside retreat, a bustling city park, or a tranquil riverside haven, the country’s vast landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for a picnic. So, grab your picnic blanket and basket, and explore some of Canada’s best picnic spots.
Woodbine Beach – Toronto, ON
A bustling destination with playgrounds, volleyball courts, and picnic shelters. Spread a blanket on the lush grass or soft sand and relax, or pop into their full-service restaurant for a snack.
Stanley Park – Vancouver, BC
400 hectares of woodland, gardens, and beachfront make it a prime picnic location. Explore the Seawall, beaches, water park, and totem poles, and visit the Vancouver Aquarium, home to over 50,000 marine animals.
Parlee Beach Provincial Park – Pointe-du-Chêne, NB
Offering warm saltwater, swimming, sports, and staff-led beach activities. Enjoy Frisbee tournaments, sand sculpture contests, and more. Don’t miss a photo with the World’s Largest Lobster Sculpture.
Prince’s Island Park – Calgary, AB
This park is a festival hub with flower gardens, walking and biking paths. Enjoy natural shade and Bow River views. Nearby Kensington Village offers vintage shops and delicious Crave cupcakes.
Parc Jeanne-Mance – Montreal, QC
An urban oasis with playgrounds, sports fields, and green space, and hosts festivals like the Festival of India. Busy on summer weekends, it’s the go-to picnic spot in Montreal. For a quieter alternative, visit Oka Beach.
From city parks to beachside spots, Canada's diverse landscapes offer perfect picnic destinations for everyone.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Take Advantage of Canada’s Best Outdoor Patios 🍹
As the weather warms up, dining outdoors becomes a favorite activity in Canada. OpenTable's annual Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining highlights the best alfresco spots nationwide based on over 1.1 million reviews.
In Alberta, top picks include Bear Street Tavern in Banff, known for its cozy mountain vibe and dog-friendly policy; Bonterra Trattoria in Calgary, offering Italian cuisine in a charming courtyard; and Campio Brewing Co in Edmonton, a favorite for its craft beers and relaxed outdoor setting.
British Columbia has favourites like Beach House in West Vancouver, where diners can enjoy stunning ocean views and fresh seafood; Boom + Batten in Victoria, providing a chic waterfront dining experience; Earls Kitchen + Bar in Kelowna, popular for its diverse menu and lake views; and Oddfish Restaurant in Vancouver, celebrated for its creative seafood dishes and vibrant patio atmosphere.
In Ontario, notable mentions are 335 on the Ridge in Niagara Falls, offering a picturesque setting and gourmet meals; Allen’s in Toronto, a beloved spot for its extensive beer selection and garden patio; Arlo in Ottawa, featuring locally-sourced dishes in a stylish outdoor space; and Beertown Public House in East Gwillimbury, known for its craft beers and lively patio.
Quebec features Bistro Nolah in Montreal, offering Cajun and Creole cuisine with a warm, inviting patio; and Terrasse William Gray, providing a sophisticated rooftop dining experience with panoramic views of Old Montreal.
Nova Scotia offers Darya and Salt & Ash in Halifax, both known for exceptional seafood and dog-friendly patios, perfect for enjoying the coastal breeze.
Manitoba features Block & Blade Restaurant & Bar and Nicolino’s Restaurant in Winnipeg, offering diverse menus and welcoming outdoor settings.
Lastly, Saskatchewan is represented by Hearth Restaurant in Saskatoon, known for its farm-to-table approach and cozy, rustic patio that makes for a perfect outdoor dining experience.
These spots offer delicious food and a great atmosphere for enjoying the warm weather.
NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Anastasia Artemova and Anna Antropova!
In 2021, they’ve discovered a common belief - that a newcomer’s life would have been so much happier if only it didn’t take them years to figure things out on our own. That is how their YouTube channel Make That Change was born.
Anastasia moved to Canada in 2009 and built at exciting career in tech startups helping a dozen technology startups build and market amazing products used by millions of users.
Anna arrived to Canada in 2019, as a solo newcomer with an engineering background in oil & gas. She took a determined and strategic approach to finding a skilled job at Canada’s largest energy company and built an impressive career and a portfolio of projects of national significance.
In their spare time they explore Canada while backcountry camping and collecting fun facts about this country.
Anna and Anastasia are now using their experience to help more newcomers excel and thrive in Canada. Their goal is to help today’s newcomers make less mistakes and succeed in career and life faster!