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- Things to Do in Canada 230
Things to Do in Canada 230
Canada Day 2025
Did you know? Canada has more lakes than any other country on Earth – and it’s not even close. Of all the lakes larger than 0.1 km² in the world, about 62% of them are right here in this beautiful country. We boast roughly 880,000 lakes of that size or bigger, not to mention countless smaller ones. No wonder cottage country is such a big part of Canadian summers – wherever you are, you're never far from a lake to swim, fish, or paddle in.
Speaking of Canada, the big day is coming up soon. July 1st is Canada’s 158th birthday!
With that in mind, we’re using the 230th edition of the Weekly Goose to showcase some of the amazing Canada Day events taking place from coast to coast, as well as introducing you to the amazing Calgary Folk Music Festival (one of our favourites!), some amazing road trip opportunities east of Edmonton, and our video about what makes Canada such a special place.
Enjoy!
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An Amazing RoadTrip Adventure Awaits You in East Alberta!
Summer is made for road trips, so make it even more fun with the Go East of Edmonton Roadtrip Adventure Game! It’s a prize-packed opportunity to hit the open road, enjoy family time, take unforgettable photos, and explore hidden gems. Plus, there is over $ 10,000 in prizes and rewards for every kind of explorer to enjoy.
Why you should Go East of Edmonton!
Because it’s a chance to see something new! You’ll find quirky roadside attractions (photo-op!), friendly, charming small towns, with beautiful scenery along the way. It’s uncrowded, unforgettable, and you can win fabulous prizes, making road trips even sweeter!
The Go East of Edmonton 2025 Travel Guide is an amazing, one-of-a-kind magazine with over 150 pages of everything to see and do, including…
Themed Road Trip Adventure Itineraries
25 of Alberta’s top attractions and adventures, including Must-see attractions like Metis Crossing, Elk Island National Park, and so much more!
Over 100 fairs and festivals.
Local dining and shopping, camping and more!
The Roadtrip Adventure Game encourages families to explore the region this summer to collect stickers at local businesses, attractions, and towns for your gameboard. Don’t forget to scan QR codes to unlock bonus prizes and secret rewards. There is over $10,000 in prize packages and bonus prizes to be won!
Whether it’s a weekend trip or a longer summer escape, your family will have an adventure to remember. Before you go, download the travel guide and the gameboard.
Gas up the car, pack up the kids, and turn up the music. It’s time for a Roadtrip Adventure Game with Go East of Edmonton!
Plan your trip today at www.goeastofedmonton.com!
Watch
Back in 2017, we travelled across Canada for 150 days, celebrating Canada’s 150th by asking Canadians what makes Canada so special. This is what we learned…
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Add the 2025 Calgary Folk Music Festival to your Bucket List!
Get ready to trade your cowboy boots for dancing shoes—because the 2025 Calgary Folk Music Festival is tuning up for another unforgettable weekend of rhythm, roots, and ridiculous fun! Set against the backdrop of Prince’s Island Park, this isn’t just a music fest—it’s a musical staycation with global flair. Where else can you groove to indie icons, world beats, and local legends all in one leafy paradise? With over 60 artists, mind-blowing collabs, cold craft beer, and vibes as warm as a prairie sunset, the Calgary Folk Music Festival is summer in song form. So pack your picnic blanket, channel your inner banjo spirit, and learn more about why you should attend below:
It’s family-friendly! Kids 12 and under get in free and will love the family zone, games, kids’ entertainment, and all the green space for running around.
It’s a place to discover! Enjoy - Discover new music during this unique multi-genre music festival.
It’s chill! Unlike many music festivals, this one offers ample space for relaxation, including tree-lined areas next to the beautiful Bow River, extensive grassy areas, and more.
It’s a community! The Calgary Folk Music Festival is a multicultural, community-focused event run by 2,000 volunteers.
Come as you are! All you need is some clothes and a refillable water bottle. Water stations make it easy to stay hydrated. However, you can bring a whole picnic and set up your tarp for the day. Bring outside food and beverage, festival chairs (low to the ground), blankets, and more.
Canada Day Celebrations
Canada’s 158th birthday is just around the corner, and that means fun celebrations, free concerts, fireworks, and more. Below are some of the biggest events taking place across the country!
The ultimate Canada Day experience: a full day on Parliament Hill featuring the iconic National Noon Ceremony, live music, cultural displays, and evening fireworks—including the “Tim Hortons Canada Day” fireworks show—hosted by Canadian Heritage.
A massive outdoor party with food trucks, free live music, and fireworks at Downsview Park. Pair it with free admission to the ROM and Electric Island concerts.
A multi-day festival (June 27–July 13) at Canada’s Wonderland featuring live music, Canadian food, street performers, and a custom fireworks show at 10 p.m. on June 30.
Full-day entertainment in downtown Mississauga with family fun zone (Camp Canuck), live acts, food trucks, and fireworks.
Experience Canada Day at one of its most iconic locations. Enjoy multicultural music, inflatables, food stalls, community activities, and a Canada Day cake giveaway.
Now in its 30+ year run, this flagship West Coast celebration includes live performances, multicultural displays, a bustling street festival, food trucks, family activities & citizenship ceremonies, and fireworks from Canada Place West Promenade.
Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebration returns with concerts featuring The Reklaws, Goldie Boutilier & Garret T. Willie, as well as indigenous performances. Family zone with rides, food trucks, beer garden, motocross demos, and a fireworks finale.
A unique, longstanding tradition draws roughly 70,000 attendees. This event features a Canada Day parade through the historic village, over 10,000 lb of barbecued wild salmon, multiple stages with 50+ performances, a kids zone, cultural booths & fireworks.
This multi-day mainstage performances featuring headliners like the Arkells, a “Living Flag” on the legislature lawns, multicultural food kiosks, and a big fireworks display over Inner Harbour.
Kelowna’s free festival packs 50+ activities, folk-themed performances and fireworks over Okanagan Lake.
Community-based celebrations—ranging from daytime family events at The Forks to larger gatherings at Princess Auto Stadium; note: Winnipeg’s traditional drone show has changed.
A city-wide multi-venue celebration:
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (Fort Calgary): Indigenous Spotlight & Powwow, Artisan Market, Main Stage performances (Lu Kala, Aysanabee, Sam Roberts Band), Cultural Carousel & workshops.
St. Patrick’s Island: Multiple festival stages with live music, family entertainment and food.
Calgary Fireworks launch from Stampede Park.
Enjoy free admission to legislative tours (including rare access to the Chamber floor), plus live music, family zones, and games for over 30,000 attendees. There’s also the Edmonton River Valley Fireworks featuring a major synchronized display along the river valley, with prime viewing from the Edmonton Riverhawks baseball game and other vantage points.
Additional hubs like the ICE District, Edmonton Garrison (CFB Edmonton), Muttart Conservatory, and Fort Edmonton Park also host vibrant day-long family events
A major celebration hosted by the City and Brandt, featuring a full day of entertainment including opening ceremonies, live music, family activity zones at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, science exhibits by the Saskatchewan Science Centre, food vendors, community performances, and a fireworks show over Wascana Lake.
Hosted by the Lieutenant Governor from 1–4 p.m. at the Edwardian Gardens, this free event includes cultural performances (RCMP Pipes & Drums, Lion Dancers, rock & doo-wop bands), children’s entertainment like bouncy castles, science demos, and more.
A lively open-air festival with food trucks, Indigenous and multicultural performances, family zones, and an evening fireworks display.
Dufferin Terrace: flag raising, military parade by the Royal 22e Régiment, and a sizeable Canada Day cake
Plains of Abraham: over 50 free activities, including creative workshops, cultural performances, and sports challenges featuring more than 100 artists
Evening show (8 p.m.–10 p.m.) at Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand: live country concert (Maxime Landry & Annie Blanchard) followed by an immersive laser show
Free museum access: Plains of Abraham Museum entry is complimentary on July 1
This full-day festival, from morning until evening, features a 21-gun salute and citizenship ceremonies, a family area with games, face painting, cupcake giveaways, live performances and DJ sets, fireworks, and more.
This is a premium cruise experience on the St. Lawrence River featuring live DJs, open‑air rooftop, bar & dance floor, and an unobstructed view of the July 1 fireworks.
This is the earliest Canada Day celebration in the country, featuring a 6 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony at Signal Hill with shuttle service and birthday cake, followed by family fun at King George V Park with bouncy castles, interactive games, cultural performances, and the national drumming moment. Concert & Fireworks at Quidi Vidi Lake.
A richly curated, Indigenous‑centred celebration with all‑day events on both sides of the harbour featuring multi‑stage concerts, the Mawio’mi (Mi’kmaw ceremony), Canada Day drumming, and cultural blocks. In addition, the Halifax Citadel and Pier 21 offer free admission and family-friendly activities, such as citizenship ceremonies and a Canada Day cake. Plus fireworks over the Halifax–Dartmouth waterfront.
The festivities include a concert & pyro to make the province's top summer kickoff. Experience a Kids’ Triathlon, the Official Ceremony, Indigenous performances, the Coastal Vibes Music Festival, fireworks over Charlottetown Harbour, and more.
A vibrant cultural gathering at the port with live music, Indigenous & international performances, magic shows, circus acts, interactions with princesses/superheroes, the official ceremony & cake cutting, fireworks over Long Wharf, and more.
Beaver Bites
What would you do with 1,000,000 Aeroplan points? For us, it would be travelling the world in first class! In advance of Amazon Prime Days, which runs from July 8–11, 2025, Aeroplan has launched the “Dream Destinations, Delivered” contest, which offers eligible members the chance to win one of 10 prizes of 1,000,000 Aeroplan points. Learn more here. Not sure what to buy? How about our Alberta scratch-off adventure cards?
Canada is already one of the world’s top spots for a road trip, and now, a new $1 billion road has opened up Canada’s iceberg coast.
Remember the Delta flight that tipped over while landing in Toronto. 16 lawsuits have been filed by passengers who allege they were injured in that crash landing.
It’s so secret that popular spots are getting even more popular. Just look at Banff, Lake Louise, and Niagara Falls. It’s becoming a worldwide problem, and a majority of Canadians are concerned about overtourism.
Travelling with dogs is becoming more popular, but before you bring your canine friend on a trip, these are the things you should consider.
The Canada Strong Pass has now been launched, which means visiting National Parks and National Historic Sites will be free until September 2nd.
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