Toronto residents and visitors will have many ways to celebrate Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1, with fireworks, family activities, outdoor events and indoor attractions available across the city.
However, the celebrations come as Toronto faces intense heat. Environment Canada has issued an orange-level heat warning, with temperatures expected to reach 35 C and feel closer to 45 C with the humidex.
The forecast calls for sunny conditions early in the day, followed by a mix of sun and cloud. There is also a 40% chance of showers in the late afternoon and early evening, with a risk of thunderstorms before night. Later, skies are expected to clear, with an overnight low of 24 C.
The City of Toronto said it welcomes residents and visitors to come together for the national holiday while also recognizing that people may observe the day in different ways, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. The city also said it remains committed to truth, reconciliation and respectful relationships.
Canada Day Fireworks in Toronto
Toronto’s main fireworks show will take place at Ashbridges Bay Park, located at 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E., starting at 10 p.m.
Several other fireworks displays are also planned across the city.
| Location | Address | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ashbridges Bay Park | 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E. | 10 p.m. |
| Milliken Park | 4325 McCowan Rd. | 10 p.m. |
| Amesbury Park | 151 Culford Rd. | 10 p.m. |
| Stan Wadlow Park | 888 Cosburn Ave. | 10 p.m. |
| Mel Lastman Square | 5100 Yonge St. | 10 p.m. |
| Downsview Park | Festival Terrace, 70 Canuck Ave. | About 10 p.m. |
| Harbourfront Centre | Waterfront viewing from HTO Park or Harbour Square Park | 10:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. |
There will be no fireworks display at Nathan Phillips Square.
Fireworks Rules for Residents
Toronto residents aged 18 and older may set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m.
However, fireworks are not allowed in city parks, beaches, streets, parking lots or any property not owned by the person lighting them.
The city is reminding people to be careful and aware of their surroundings. Fireworks should not be used where they could become a nuisance or create a risk of fire, injury, property damage or harm to others.
Free Family Events and Canada Day Activities
Toronto will offer free family-friendly programming at several locations throughout the day.
Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square will host live music, dance performances, a citizenship ceremony, children’s activities and soccer events from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Visitors can also test their soccer skills on mini pitches as part of the city’s Soccer for All program. The square will feature FIFA World Cup 2026 activations, performances and live broadcasts of Round of 32 games at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Thomson Memorial Park
Thomson Memorial Park will offer music, face painting, entertainment and a pancake breakfast from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Amesbury Park
Amesbury Park will host a full day of community-led celebrations with food vendors, entertainment, activities for all ages and fireworks from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Stan Wadlow Park
Stan Wadlow Park will feature live performances, community booths, children’s activities and fireworks from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mel Lastman Square
Mel Lastman Square will offer live music, a kids’ zone, food vendors, a vendor fair and fireworks from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Attractions Open on Canada Day
Several major Toronto attractions will remain open for Canada Day.
| Attraction | Canada Day Hours |
| Art Gallery of Ontario | 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Royal Ontario Museum | 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| CN Tower | 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Ripley’s Aquarium | 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Aga Khan Museum | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Casa Loma | 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Canada’s Wonderland | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Canada’s Wonderland Waterpark | 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Allan Gardens Conservatory | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Centennial Park Conservatory | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Riverdale Farm | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| High Park Animal Display | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Toronto Zoo | 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
The Royal Ontario Museum had offered free timed-entry tickets, but those tickets are now sold out.
The CN Tower, which is marking its 50th anniversary, will offer a cupcake giveaway at 1:30 p.m. while supplies last. Visitors can also enjoy live chalk art by Jo the Chalk Chick, airbrush tattoos, games and a commemorative Tower 50th anniversary postcard.
The Aga Khan Museum will host the Rhythms of Canada Festival, a free event for all ages. Activities will take place throughout the museum, Aga Khan Park and the Ismaili Centre Toronto.
The festival will include live performances from Ahmed Moneka Jazz, Whispr and the Larnell Lewis Band, along with kite decorating, Bollywood dance lessons, street food and soccer match screenings in an air-conditioned Game Zone Tent.
Canada’s Wonderland will include live music, family activities and Indigenous performances by the Smoke Trail Singers.
The Toronto Zoo will offer access to nearly 3,000 animals, more than 10 kilometres of walking trails and five tropical pavilions.
Toronto History Museums Open With Free Admission
Select Toronto History Museums will be open with special Canada Day programming and free admission from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
| Museum | Address |
| Scarborough Museum | 1005 Brimley Rd. |
| Gibson House Museum | 5172 Yonge St. |
| Montgomery’s Inn | 4709 Dundas St. W. |
| Mackenzie House | 82 Bond St. |
The Spadina Museum, located at 285 Spadina Rd., will host Beautiful Asian Feast from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., celebrating Toronto’s Chinese communities.
All other Toronto History Museum locations will be closed on Wednesday, July 1.
Splash Pads, Wading Pools and Outdoor Pools
All city-owned outdoor pools and wading pools will follow the full-time summer schedule, operating daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Splash pads are also open and run daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
These cooling options may be especially helpful because of the orange-level heat warning and high humidex values.
TTC, GO Transit and UP Express Schedule
The TTC will run on a holiday schedule on July 1. All routes will follow Sunday service hours but will begin earlier, at around 6 a.m.
There are no planned TTC closures on Canada Day. Regular service will resume on Thursday, July 2.
For those going to Canada Day celebrations at Ashbridges Bay Park, the TTC will increase service on the 22 Coxwell and 92 Woodbine South buses from 11:30 a.m. on Canada Day until 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 2.
The 22 Coxwell bus will also be extended south on Coxwell Avenue and east on Lake Shore Boulevard East to connect with Woodbine Beach.
GO Transit trains and buses will run on a Saturday schedule. There will be no GO train service on the Richmond Hill or Milton lines.
The UP Express will operate on its weekend and holiday schedule.
Shopping Malls Open on Canada Day
Some major shopping centres will remain open on July 1.
| Shopping Centre | Hours |
| CF Eaton Centre | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Vaughan Mills | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Square One | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
More than 100 Beer Store locations across Ontario will also be open on Canada Day for shoppers and people returning empties.
What’s Closed on Canada Day in Toronto
Several public services, markets, malls and stores will be closed on Wednesday.
Closed locations and services include:
- St. Lawrence Market
- All Toronto Public Library branches
- Canada Post, with no mail delivery or collection
- Most bank branches
- Federal, provincial and municipal government offices and services
- LCBO stores
Post offices operated by private-sector businesses may remain open according to the host business’s hours.
Shopping Malls Closed on Canada Day
The following shopping centres will be closed:
- Yorkdale Shopping Centre
- CF Fairview Mall
- CF Sherway Gardens
- Dufferin Mall
- Scarborough Town Centre
- CF Shops at Don Mills
Toronto will mark Canada Day with fireworks, family programming, cultural events, sports activations, open attractions and cooling options during a period of intense heat. Residents can enjoy celebrations at locations such as Ashbridges Bay Park, Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square, Amesbury Park and Harbourfront Centre.
However, with an orange-level heat warning in effect and humidex values expected to feel near 45 C, planning ahead is important. Visitors should check transit schedules, confirm attraction hours, use cooling spaces when needed and be aware of closures affecting libraries, LCBO stores, government offices, some malls and Canada Post services.