Canada Day 2025 celebrations in East Toronto to include fireworks, parade and picnics

This Tuesday’s Canada Day celebrations in East Toronto on July 1 will feature a wide variety of events including two fireworks displays.

Canada Day this year will mark our country’s 158th birthday.

Here’s a look at some of the many events planned for the East Toronto area on Tuesday, July 1.

Ashbridges Bay Fireworks

The annual Canada Day fireworks display presented by the City of Toronto at Ashbridges Bay in the Beach will take place on the night of Tuesday, July 1.

The display begins at 10 p.m. and is expected to be concluded by 10:15 p.m. Ashbridges Bay Park is located at 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E.

The fireworks display is designed to be visible across the Eastern Beaches and all along the Boardwalk.

The event will be accessible to individuals with mobility challenges, with designated areas designated to ensure everyone can see the display.

Due to high volumes of anticipated traffic to this extremely popular event, visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transportation to attend. TTC bus routes to Ashbridges Bay Park and Woodbine Beach Park include the 22A Coxwell and 92A Woodbine bus routes, with additional buses added to several routes to mitigate congestion and help visitors get to the park in a timely manner.

Visitors can expect an increased Toronto police presence at Ashbridges Bay over the long weekend, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

Toronto police have issued a reminder that using personal fireworks in city parks and on the beaches is strictly prohibited.

The Ashbridges Bay fireworks will be one of seven fireworks displays happening across the city for Canada Day, including at East York’s Stan Wadlow Park at 10 p.m.

Other locations include Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W.) at 10:45 p.m.; Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St., North York) at 10 p.m.; Milliken Park (5555 Steeles Ave. E. in Scarborough) at 10 p.m.; Centennial Park – Etobicoke (256 Centennial Park Rd.) at 10 p.m.; and Amesbury Park (151 Culford Rd.) at 10 p.m.

For more information about the city’s fireworks displays, please go to https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/canada-day/nighttime/

East York Canada Day Parade, Picnic and Fireworks

The East York Canada Day Festival returns for its 69th year, with a full lineup of activities planned to celebrate the nation’s birthday on Tuesday, July 1.

The festivities will kick off with the East York Canada Day Parade that starts from Dieppe Park on Cosburn Avenue at 10:30 a.m.

The parade will feature more than 35 groups marching eastwards along Cosburn Avenue from Dieppe Park (145 Cosburn Ave.) to Stan Wadlow Park (373 Cedarvale Ave.).

The parade route turns north at Woodbine and Cosburn avenues and then east again along Trenton Avenue and into Stan Wadlow Park, where the rest of the day’s festivities will take place.

Opening ceremonies for the East York Canada Day Festival will be held at noon on the main stage at Stan Wadlow Park.

Visitors can look forward to live music, a midway with games and rides, family activities, food trucks, and an artisan market featuring vendors from across Toronto.

A craft beer garden hosted by Goldenfield Brewery will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with last call at 10:30 p.m. Residents can also enjoy a selection of wines and ciders.

The day’s schedule includes an East York talent show, kids’ fun races, a magic show, a rock climbing wall, a fishing pond, relay games and more.

Live performances will feature several local bands and artists, including the Jessica Sevier Band, harpist Kim Michele, and Tim Bovaconti & The Enablers.

Joe Motiki, a Canadian actor, television host and longtime East York resident, will return to emcee the celebrations.

The day will conclude with a fireworks display sponsored by the City of Toronto, beginning at 10 p.m.

The East York Canada Day Festival was launched in 1957 by True Davidson, then an East York alderman and later mayor. At the time, it marked what was then known as Dominion Day. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the city’s largest volunteer-run Canada Day events.

The festival is organized entirely by volunteers and supported through sponsorships from businesses and community groups across Toronto.

For more information, please visit https://eycdc.ca/

Q107 Canada Day Picnic in Woodbine Park

Toronto radio station Q107 invites residents to rock out and celebrate Canada Day with food, drinks, arts and crafts, a beer garden, fireworks, and slew of enticing rock & roll performances on July 1 at Woodbine Park.

The annual celebration will see music lovers gather at Woodbine Park (1695 Queen St. E.) to celebrate Canada in style with tribute performances to prominent rock bands.

The free event will be hosted by Johnny, Shawna, and Ryan of the station’s Q Mornings show from noon to 4 p.m.

Tribute bands performing include Bootleg Creedence paying tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival; and Overture performing songs from iconic Toronto band Rush. Also, Pearl Jamming will be performing songs from… you guessed it, Pearl Jam.

The Band of Gypsys will be amplifying hypnotic sounds from Jimi Hendrix’s catalogue. Desire will be performing in tribute to U2; AC/DC Show Canada will be performing in tribute to AC/DC; and Keep the Faith will be performing in tribute to renowned 1980s band Bon Jovi.

Performances for the Q107 Canada Day Picnic at Woodbine Park kick off at noon on July 1 and will run throughout the day until 9 p.m. Those attending are then welcome to head over to Ashbridges Bay to watch the Canada Day fireworks starting at 10 p.m.

For more information about the event, please go to https://www.q107.rocks/

Neighbours Together on Canada Day in Riverdale Park East

The annual Neighbours Together on Canada Day in Riverdale Park East takes place on Tuesday, July 1.

The event’s activities are centred in the area around the St. Matthew’s Clubhouse at 450 Broadview Ave.

Activities include live entertainment, information tables from community groups and more. There will also be a barbecue, a Canada Day birthday cake, and martial arts demonstrations, children’s activities and a Lion Dance.

The celebration begins at 11:30 a.m. and musicial performances will start at noon.

The event is organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of East Toronto with the assistance of Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher and other community organizations.

For more information on the Neighbours Together celebration in Riverdale Park East, please go to https://www.councillorpaulafletcher.ca/neighbours_together_on_canada_day_2025

Canada Day in Dentonia Park

Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services, with the support of a number of local businesses, will be hosting a Canada Day celebration in Dentonia Park on Tuesday, July 1.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and there will be a wide variety of activities taking place. Dentonia Park is located at 80 Thyra Ave., just northwest of Danforth and Victoria Park avenues.

Everyone is invited to this “vibrant Canada Day celebration filled with fun and community spirit.”

There will be food, speeches, live music, and games for all ages.

“Come together to celebrate diversity, unity, and what it means to call Canada home,” said the organizers.

For more info, please visit Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bdcanadaservices