Celebrate Canada Day in Style
July 1st, 2016 marks our incredible country’s 149th birthday and to celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of 20 things to do in YYC this Canada Day.
1. Packwood Grand
July 1st, 2016 from 11am – 7pm
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino 261095 Dwight McLellan Trail
Website
Get on your fancy hats and come celebrate Canada Day in style. Packwood Grand offers the ultimate in luxury thoroughbred horse racing, fashion, food and drink. A true celebration of old world leisure and sophistication, this will be the must-attend social & lifestyle event of 2016.
2. Native Tongues Rooftop Patio Party
July 1st, 2016 from 7pm – late
Broken City 613 11 Avenue SW
Native Tongues is celebrating their first birthday on Canada Day. They’ll be hosting a Rooftop Patio Party at Broken City featuring $5 Sonora Dogs and their very own Double Fuzz Band from 7 pm – late.
3. Canada Day @ Eau Claire
July 1st, 2016 from 11am – 9 pm
Eau Claire Market 200 Barclay Parade SW
Website
Take in Canada Day at one of our favourite spots in the city. Eau Claire will be hosting an entire day of family fun on July 1st. Enjoy local entertainment, Artisan’s markets, a petting zoo, and face painting. Plus, rumour has it that there will be free ice cream for the first 1,000 guests. We definitely can’t say no to that.
4. Canada Day Pop-Up Beer Garden
July 1st, 2016 from 11am – late
National on 17th 550 17th Ave SW
Website
Celebrate Canada Day with National on 17th on Friday, July 1st. They’ll be making extra room on their patio by extending it out on to the street, and Village Brewery will be pouring draught and serving tall cans from the Village Truck all day long. Kids are welcome until 9pm, so round up the gang and come on over.
5. Canada Day Breakfast in the Burbs
July 1st, 2016 from 10am – 3pm
National Westhills 225 8th Ave SW
Website
Kick off Canada Day with Breakfast in the Burbs. From 10am – 3pm, National Westhills will be serving up breakfast on the patio. Get your fill of strawberry whipped cream pancakes, creamy scrambled eggs, naturally smoked bacon, hash browns, toast, fresh fruit and coffee or juice, for only $15. Regular brunch menu will also be available, and there’s room for the whole family, so bring the whole gang before heading out for some long weekend fun.
6. Canada Day Poutine & Pints
July 1st, 2016 from 11am – late
National on 10th #210 341 10 Ave SW
Website
Poutine is as Canadian as it gets, so National on 10th has 3 of their favourite flavours on special all day Canada Day. You could also be riding away on a brand new cruiser bike courtesy of Central City beer – stop in and try your luck, eh?
7. Canada Day at National on 8th
July 1st, 2016 from 11am – late
National on 8th 225 8th Ave SW
Website
Spend the day up on National on 8th’s rooftop patio. They’ll have sunshine, craft beer, cornhole and ping-pong. Find their street team on Stephen Ave for some free tater tot vouchers.
8. Canada Day at Riverfront Avenue
July 1st, 2016 from 12pm – 11pm
Riverfront Stage – Harry Hays building, on the North lawn, facing the Bow River
Website
Enjoy family-friendly activities, interactive booths, and food trucks all day long on Riverfront Avenue. Indulge in a taste of Francophone heritage and culture with maple sweets, food and music in the festive environment. Mayor Nenshi will kick off official Canada Day ceremonies starting from 7 pm. The stage will then delight your ears with performances from some of the most acclaimed homegrown talent. End off the night with fireworks and plenty of hometown pride at 11 pm.
9. Fireworks @ Centre Street Bridge
July 1st, 2016 at 11pm
Visible from many areas along the Bow River corridor
End Canada Day off with a bang. Set against a breathtaking backdrop of Calgary’s skyline, the 2016 Canada Day Fireworks are sure to be a hit. For full awesomeness, be sure to dial your radios to 101.5 Kool FM or Wild 95.3 FM and listen to the synchronized live-music broadcast. Fireworks can be seen from the entire Bow River corridor, but Sien Lok Park also makes for a scenic place to take in the beauty.
10. Canada Day at Olympic Plaza
July 1st, 2016 from 10am – 9pm
Olympic Plaza 228 8th Ave SE
Stop by Olympic Plaza on Canada Day for all sorts of fun surprises. They’ll have food trucks, craft stations, and live entertainment to be enjoyed by the whole gang. If you happen to be a Canada Day baby, show your ID and you’ll be granted access to the ‘BIP’ tent packed with prizes, birthday cake, and free goodies.
11. Canada Day at Prince’s Island Park
July 1st, 2016 from 10am – 6pm
Prince’s Island Park 698 Eau Claire Ave SW
Soak it all in at Prince’s Island Park this Canada Day. From 10am – 6pm, enjoy a traditional First Nations’ pow wow with drumming, dancing, and storytelling in the beautiful park. Calgary Recreation will be taking over at 12 pm to offer a variety of fitness classes perfect for the entire family. There will be dance activities for kids and fitness classes for adults. Classes start at noon and go ‘til 6pm.
12. Canada Day on Stephen Avenue Walk
July 1st, 2016 from 11am – 8pm
Centre Street & 8th Ave SE
Website
Join the party for Canada’s 149th birthday on Stephen Avenue walk this year. They’ll be bringing you a musical experience of free performances from local artists all day long on the avenue. Check out downtowncalgary.com for the full line-up of amazing talent.
13. Canada Day in Chinatown
July 1st, 2016 from 9am – 11pm
Chinese Cultural Centre 203 1 St SW
Website
Calgary’s Chinatown is hosting an all-day celebration for Canada’s birthday and decades of Chinese contributions to this great country. Enjoy cultural performances and family friendly activities, explore their unique stores, and indulge your taste buds with culinary delights. Sien Lok Park makes for the perfect spot to enjoy the Canada Day fireworks at 11 pm.
14. Canada Day @ Fort Calgary
July 1st, 2016 from 9am – 4pm
Fort Calgary 750 9th Avenue SE
Website
Start your Canada Day off right with a free pancake breakfast at Fort Calgary. Afterwards, stay for the assortment of children’s crafts, a petting zoo, food trucks, and live music and entertainment.
15. East Village Street Fair
July 1st, 2016 from 9am – 4pm
East Village 8th Ave SE between 5th and 6th Street
Website
Celebrate Canada Day at the East Village Street Fair and take in the craft and artisan vendors, children’s activities, and local performances. Car fanatics are in luck – Calgary’s premiere classic car show, the Show & Shine, will be taking place and featuring spectacular imports and classic North American beauties.
16. Studio Bell Public Opening
July 1st, 2016 from 10am – 5pm
National Music Centre 850 4 Street SE
Website
We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Canada Day than with the long anticipated opening of Studio Bell. Home of the National Music Centre, Studio Bell will be hosting special Canada Day programming, with free admission to visitors between 10 am and 5 pm. Arrive early though – entrance is on a first-come, first-served basis.
17. Heritage Park Canada Day
July 1st, 2016 from 9:30am – 5pm
Heritage Park 1900 Heritage Dr SW
Website
Celebrate Canada Day in Calgary the old-fashioned way with your homies at Heritage Park. The first 2,016 Canada Day guests inside the gates before 10:30 am will receive a free pancake breakfast. The itinerary for the day lists a parade packed with special guests at 11 am and plenty of activities on the celebration field including a BBQ, children’s crafts, old-fashioned games, live entertainment, and birthday cake.
18. Shakespeare by the Bow
July 1st, 2016 from 7pm – 9pm
Prince’s Island Park 698 Eau Claire Ave SW
Website
This year Theatre Calgary continues the city’s Shakespeare tradition on Prince’s Island Park with Hamlet. Starring a cast of emerging theatre talent, their annual outdoor production is a magnificent way to spend your evening on Canada Day. Grab a blanket, enjoy a picnic, and take in one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays in one of Calgary’s favourite places. Can’t make it on July 1st? Shakespeare by the Bow runs til August 21st.
19. Calgary Stampeders
July 1st, 2016 at 8 pm
McMahon Stadium 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
Website
Come cheer on the Calgary Stampeders as they take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in this exciting home-opener game on Canada Day. Hit the concession stand, show some hometown pride, and stay for the fireworks scheduled for the end of the event. Kickoff starts at 8pm.
20. Canada Day at Home & Away
July 1st, 2016 from 11am – late
Home & Away 1331 17th Ave SW
Website
Celebrate our nation’s birthday at Home & Away on July 1st. Chef Pigot will be dishing out delicious food all day and they’ll have cold beer and cocktail on the patio. Bring your crew and come enjoy some sports, games, and entertainment all day long. Reservations can be made by emailing reservations@homeandawayyyc.com. Free parking is available.
