Happy 148th Birthday, Canada! How will you be celebrating in your town? We’ve compiled a list of some of the top free family-friendly concerts happening across the country on July 1 so pack your sunscreen, find your best red & white getup and get ready to celebrate with some of the country’s finest talent!
CALGARY, AB
Canadian indie rock favourites Stars and Dan Mangan + Blacksmith will take to Calgary’s Riverfront Stage for an unforgettable Canada Day show. The concert begins at 7 PM with Vancouver-based electronic act Dear Rouge. Earlier in the day, Bow Valley College’s Iniikokaan Aboriginal Centre presents a traditional First Nation’s Powwow at Prince’s Island Park which will showcase the Aboriginal tradition of drumming, dancing and storytelling.
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI
Charlottetown’s family-friendly Canada Day fun will take place in Victoria Park, which is hosting a free celebration with Island artists like Coyote, More Soul and Copy Cat. Canadian rock favourites City & Colour, Joel Plaskett and Paper Lions will also play a ticketed event over the weekend.
EDMONTON, AB
Over 20 live Alberta acts will perform at Alberta Legislature’s free celebration in Edmonton. Grant Lawerence of CBC Radio 3 will host Alberta Discovered beginning at 12:40 PM. The showcase of unique Alberta talent is expected to wrap up at 7 PM.
HALIFAX, NS
Hamilton, ON’s Arkells will headline a free concert at Alderney Landing with Kingston’s The Glorious Sons and many others. Set-times are still to be announced, but you can expect the festivities to begin at 5:30 PM.
MISSISSAUGA, ON
Kardinal Offishall, Scott Helman, Kytami and more will take to Mississauga’s Celebration Square stage beginning at 2 PM, hosted by Global News’ The Morning Show’s Liza Fromer and Global News Anchors Antony Robart and Farah Nasser. Judging by Kardinal’s tweet below, he will definitely be bringing the energy to the Canada Day festivities.
MONTREAL, QC
Montreal’s Old Port is one of the most beautiful places in the country to catch some fireworks on Canada Day. This year, fireworks will begin at 10 PM at La Ronde, which will light up the old port following performances from local musical acts like Élizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite, Bleu Jeans Bleu and Too Many Cooks. The family-friendly day begins at 11 AM with the opening ceremony followed by the annual cake tasting.
OTTAWA, ON
From coast to coast, all eyes will once again be on Parliament Hill for Ottawa’s Canada Day spectacle, which will be broadcast nationwide beginning noon on CBC and CBC.ca. The artists performing on the hill include MAGIC!, Keisza, Francesco Yates, Gord Bamford, Karim Ouellet, Andee & more! Hip-hop artist Shad will play Major’s Hill Park and singer/songwriters David Myles and Brigitte Boisjoli will play Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau.
REGINA, SK
Canadian classic rockers Chilliwack and Harlequin will headline Regina’s Canada Day festivities at the Legislative Grounds. The day will also feature a strong man competition, a mini hockey stick tournament and face painting!
SURREY, BC
Multi-Platinum Canadian rockers Blue Rodeo will headline one of the biggest parties in the country with The Zolas in Surrey, BC at Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheater. New additions to the event grounds for 2015 include a half a million square feet of site area, an expanded Kids Play area, over 100 exhibitors, and amusements with midway games and rides. The day kicks off at 10 AM and is expected to finish at 10:15 PM with a spectacular fireworks show for the grand finale.
SAINT JOHN, NB
Roots-inspired rock acts The Sadies and Whitehorse will usher in Canada Day on June 30 with a free performance at Saint John’s Festival Place. 10,000 attendees are expected and will be greeted to a night market, gourmet BBQ and midnight fireworks.
ST. JOHN’S, NL
While Canadian rock legends April Wine’s performance on June 30 is ticketed, organizers of George Street Live have some family fun planned for the afternoon of July 1 beginning at 11 AM featuring festival-favourites Billy & The Bruisers. This year’s festival also marks the start of the 1st Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest!
TORONTO, ON
Toronto R&B, soul and regggae legend Jay Douglas will headline a fantastic evening of music at Mel Lastman Square that will also feature the Lula Lounge All Stars and doo-wop performers After Hours. With free face painting, circus perforers and a fireworks display to close the evening, this is the must-attend Toronto celebration!
Canadian indie-rock pioneers By Divine Right will be celebrating their 25th anniversary on July 1 with a free concert from 9-11 PM at Harbourfront’s WestJet stage.
VANCOUVER, BC
Hometown singer/songwriter Hannah Georgas leads the list of amazing eclectic performances scheduled for Vancouver’s celebrations at Canada Place.
WINNIPEG, MB
The Noble Thieves, Attica Riots and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra are just some of the Winnipeg acts you will find at The Forks for this free event. There will also be a photo booth, Grey Cup festival games and Founding Nations Tribal Village for traditional drumming, singing and dancing.
YELLOWKNIFE, NT
From 12:00 – 3:45 pm, the City of Yellowknife will celebrate Canada Day at Somba K’e Civic Plaza kicking off with Miranda Currie at the amphitheatre and Jonathan Churcher on the lawn. In the event of rain, Canada Day Celebrations will be moved indoors to the Shorty Brown Arena at the Multiplex
Also happening south of the border…
BROOKLYN, NY
While this event is not happening in a Canadian city, Brooklyn, NY bar The Well will be hosting an all-day “Canada D’Eh” party headlined by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler with July Talk and Halifax’s Walrus. Music begins at 5 PM and tickets are free!
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