Celebrate Canada’s 150th in style

Canada sure knows how to throw a party, and with the country’s 150th birthday just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to celebrate. The sesquicentennial festivities are due to kick off from 31st December and run throughout 2017, with everything from music festivals and sporting events to free entry to all National Parks throughout the year. If you’re planning a trip-of-a-lifetime to Canada, here’s where you can join in with some of the biggest celebrations.

Ottawa

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Canada’s capital city is set to hold the best party around throughout 2017. The events start on New Year’s Eve with a special launch party featuring live music performances by some of Canada’s greatest stars, including Carly Rae Jepson and Brett Kissel, and spectacular firework displays over Parliament Hill; it’s sure to be a star-studded night. The festivities don’t stop there: March sees the final of the Red Bull Ice Cross Downhill World Championship, with some of the world’s best athletes speeding along the Rideau Canal, followed by the JUNO Awards, a celebration of Canadian music hosted by none other than Canadian superstar Michael Bublé. As a unique tribute to Canada Day, Ottawa’s piéce-de-résistance is the arrival of La Machine: a display of larger than life, mechanical animals that will set up home in the city centre from July onward.

Charlottetown

Known as the ‘birthplace of the Confederation’, Charlottetown is tucked away on Prince Edward Island and always celebrates Canada Day in style. From a ten-hour live concert, to a celebratory regatta and a waterfront cultural festival, this quiet suburb will come alive with festivities in 2017. Vist Charlottetown on our Maritime Magic Treasures tour and join in with the fun yourself.

Montréal

Canada Day is always well celebrated in Montréal thanks to its French-Canadian influence and rich history; and 2017 will be no exception. In fact, the city will be enjoying a double celebration as it turns 375 years old in the same year. Fantastic illumination shows; the annual Igloofest music festival; countless theatre productions: it’s all going on in Montréal.

Vancouver

Aside from the capital, Vancouver hosts some of the biggest Canada Day celebrations around, ranging from all-day music festivals to parades, street performances and climaxing in a huge firework display over the water. To shake things up for the 150th anniversary, Vancouver is hosting an epic eleven-day festival to celebrate the First Nation’s heritage and culture. Surrounded by towering mountains and glittering ocean, you’ll get to experience a lesser-known side to Canada.

Toronto

Bringing Canada’s 150th anniversary to life through the power of music, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is taking the celebrations into their own hands. Composing a range of pieces that bring together long-forgotten musicians as well as writing brand new scores more than 45 concerts will be held throughout the region in the anniversary year, celebrating both the country’s past and present through stunning performance and musical collaborations.

Want to join in with the festivities? Call our Travel Consultants today to plan your dream holiday to Canada and book a trip worth talking about.