On Wednesday, July 1st, Canada turns 148. Dating back to July 1, 1867 with the British North American Act (also known as the Constitution Act) it began as Dominion Day but was officially declared Canada Day over 100 years later on October 27, 1982.
Canada 2015 will resound with celebrations nationwide, and here in Edmonton, you could easily fill an entire day with family fun and exciting adventures. Here’s a line up of what you can look forward to from morning until midnight.
Canada Day at the Muttart Conservatory
10:00-2:00
Admission: $6.50-12.50 or $36 per family
Families can start the day at the Muttart Conservatory and enjoy Canada Day crafts, music, treats, activities and face painting, all while enjoying one of Canada’s largest botanical collections and cultural exhibits.
Dominion Day at Fort Edmonton Park
10:00-5:00
Admission: $20.90-26.20
Take a step back in time and head over to Fort Edmonton Park, the largest living history museum in all of Canada. Enjoy a Toast to the Queen, traditional dance and a 1:00 authentic traditional parade and other royal activities to fill the rest of the day.
Canada Day at the Alberta Legislature
10:00-7:00
Admission: FREE
What better place to celebrate Canada Day in Edmonton than the Alberta Legislature? There will be a day of live entertainment, open house tours of the legislative floor, free family activities, food vendors and everyone’s favourite CBC characters.
Canada Day at the Telus World of Science
10:00-5:00
Admission: Ticket Prices Vary by Attraction
If the kids are getting fidgety waiting for the fireworks, why not opt for rockets and dinosaurs while you wait? At 1:45 at the Telus World of Science, there will be 31 rocket launches for an explosion of fun.
Canada Day at the Devonian Gardens
11:00-3:00
Admission: Up to $13.50 per person or $29/family (Half price for Armed Forces and Veterans)
For four hours, the University of Alberta’s Devonian Gardens will be opened to host a Canada Day celebration full of music, crafts, a stunning setting and phenomenal foliage, games, kids’ activities & Canada Day Cake.
Canada Day at the Edmonton Valley Zoo
11:00-4:00
Admission: $8.50-13.75 or $44.50 per family
There are many birthday celebrations going on at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. In addition to Canada’s 148th, the zoo is also turning 56 and Lucy the Elephant turns 40. Animals, activities, cupcakes and family activities await the eager adventurer.
Canada Day at the Art Gallery of Alberta
11:00-5:00
Admission: FREE (Courtesy of Dentons Canada LLP)
Need a little more art in your life? Thanks to Dentons Canada LLP, Canada Day has gifts for everyone with free admission to the Art Gallery of Alberta for an awesome day of art activities and exhibits.
Canada Day at City Hall
12:00-4:00
Admission: FREE
Start off with a Canada Day kick-off ceremony in the City Room. Then, progress to music, dancing, crafts for the kids, tours of City Hall, giveaways and more. City Hall will also host The Works Art & Design Festival all day long.
Boyle Street Community League BBQ
12:00-4:00
Admission: FREE
If all of the excitement and adventure has roused up an appetite, it’s time to head over to Boyle Street Plaza for an afternoon of barbeque in celebration of Canada Day.
Mill Woods Celebrates Canada Day
1:00-11:00
Admission: FREE
The Mill Woods residential area is ushering in Canada Day at Mill Woods Park with an action-packed afternoon, full of free family activities like hay rides, a petting zoo, carnival games, bouncy castles, obstacle courses, live music and culminating at 11:00 with the fireworks that will light up your evening.
Chinatown Night Market
4:00-9:00
Admission: FREE
The Night Market off Harbin Road will be offering an evening of art and gift sales, live entertainment, food trucks and fun for everyone.
Freewill Shakespeare Festival
5:00-7:00
Admission: $20-30 (Children under 10 are FREE)
Head on over to the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park for a little relaxation, a picnic and a performance of “As You Like It” to celebrate Canada Day with some culture and distinguished entertainment.
Lighting of the High Level Bridge
11:00
Admission: FREE
If you’re still up and moving around in the River Valley, you can watch the magical illuminated art of Edmonton lighting designer Scott Peters and musician Jason Kodie.
Canada Day Fireworks Finale
11:00
Top off an incredible Canada Day with a festive fireworks finale. Ideal viewing locations include the Alberta Legislative Grounds, Victoria Park, Ezio Faraone Park, Dantzer’s Hill, Government House Park, Tellus Field ($4 per person) and – for those who are on foot only – River Valley Road, Queen Elizabeth Park Road and 109th Street. Kinsmen Park will be closed to all visitors as this is where the fireworks will be launched from.
To make sure you have a great day without any headaches or hassles, plan on taking a bus or other public transportation. Parking can be a problem and traffic can be maddening. Make it through the day without any tickets or towing!
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