Canada Day traditions explode across South Eastern Ontario! Communities gather under the night sky to watch brilliant displays of fireworks. Bigger locales and smaller villages alike offer firework experiences that encourage visitors and residents to lay out blankets on grassy hills, put their lawn chairs side-by-side in waterfront parks, and come together as a community to look skyward after the sun sets. Many communities offer inspiring displays throughout the region; here are a few to get you started on celebrating Canada after dark!
Prince Edward County has such a remarkable Canada Day celebration that even royalty attended in 2017! Wellington rolled out the red carpet for Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. The celebration is carrying over this summer as several locations in the county typically have fireworks, with Wellington lighting up the sky over the beach and Picton culminating a day of downtown fun by activities moving to the Main Street Parking lot and Delhi Park for a fireworks extravaganza as the day winds down.
Colourful sparks explode in the sky above Lake Ontario West Zwick’s Waterfront Park in Belleville in the Bay of Quinte. This greenspace is a great place for the whole family with playgrounds, picnic pavilion, paved walking trails and even a bandshell. The fireworks typically mark the breathtaking end to a full day of activities.
The fireworks here are a culmination of a day of fun! Red and white are proudly on display at the Strathcona Paper Centre in Napanee with family-friendly activities which typically see a pancake breakfast, bouncy castles, face painting, games and fireworks at dusk. This venue is easy to get to, accessible and a great place to watch with free parking.
This city relishes Canada Day as an exciting opportunity to reflect on Kingston’s unique connection to the founding of our nation. Originally named as the first capital of a united Canada, Kingston has one of the biggest fireworks displays around, taking place at the historic Confederation Park on the water in Downtown Kingston.
The fireworks in Gananoque 1,000 Islands provide a finale of a day-long celebration! Activities throughout the day cater to kids of all ages, and end with a brilliant display of fireworks in Confederation Park. The park is a picturesque public space that is home to swans, sculptures and a spouting water fountain, as well as being located alongside Town Park. The fireworks are also visible from the King Street Bridge and surrounding areas of downtown Gananoque – even from a few restaurant patios close by.
Take your pick of a few prime areas for viewing the fireworks from Centeen Park, Hardy Park – or even watch from Blockhouse Island! Don’t be tied down to one place: they’re all good vantage points. Downtown Brockville is alive with maple leaves and festivities galore during the day and the feeling of celebration continues after dark when fireworks light up the sky over the water at night. Want to kick your Canada Day fireworks experience up a notch? Watch them from on the water! Special cruises are available to get you out on the St. Lawrence River for an unforgettable 1,000 Islands fireworks experience – and some even include dinner on board.
Lamoureux Park in Cornwall becomes a Canada Day bonanza every July, as a family style celebration gears up for the finale of fireworks later in the evening. This is one of the most picturesque locations for fireworks, as visitors watch the sun set against a backdrop of stunning scenery and then the sparks light up the sky above the St. Lawrence. Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and get ready to be fired up for Canada Day!
Seeley’s Bay along the Rideau is small but mighty when it comes to being a Canada Day destination. The fireworks here at dusk rival bigger locales and a friendly vibe is ever-present during the day-long festivities. Taking place in Centennial Park, there is plenty of room to lay out a blanket as the sun sets and watch as the fireworks add brilliance to the night sky over the water. Other Rideau locations also swell with pride in unique locations: get a beach-front fireworks view when Westport sets off fireworks over the water at the Lions Club Beach on Sand Lake and Perth celebrates at Conlon Farm which has a splash pad and play structures to keep the kids busy before the big show.
No matter where you choose to celebrate Canada Day, the firework display in communities across South Eastern Ontario are ready to light up the night sky and make your heart swell with pride.
