Canada Day: Fireworks and family fun from Pickering to Bowmanville

Fireworks and plenty of family entertainment – what more could you ask for on Canada’s birthday?

Residents and visitors are invited to Canada Day celebrations across Durham Region, with parties going on at all five of the region’s main urban centres along Lake Ontario and in the region’s small communities as well.

The festivities kick off in Clarington Tuesday at the Garnett Rickard Centre in Bowmanville at 5 p.m., with live music and performances on the Main Stage featuring the Matt O’Music Student Band Showcase, The Charles Street Band, City Soul, and Guinness World Records holder Brant the Fire Guy

There’s entertainment on the Kids’ Stage featuring story time, music and dance and a kids’ play zone with a Bubble Party and LEGO and hula hoop station, inflatable obstacle course and games, face painting and henna art.

Tasty bites from food and ice cream vendors (plus free cake and cookies while supplies last) and a local market with fresh fruit and vegetables will also be available.

Besides the fireworks display at dusk, the main event on the day will be inside the arena when the Seeds of Hope – Knock Down Hunger event will take place, with organizers attempting to set a new world record for most cereal boxes knocked down, dominos-style.

All cereal and donations will be forwarded to local food banks.

Oshawa will be hosting its annual event at Lakeview Park, with a new main stage area in Parking Lot D.

Entertainment includes Rhythm Works and OSCC55+ Nationwide Canada Day Drumming Celebration (2 p.m.), The Penalty Box (3 p.m.), Opening Ceremonies and O Canada with Durham Shores Chorus (4 p.m.), Backstage Pass Band (5 p.m.), Davey Boy (6 p.m.), The Philcos (7 p.m.), Jaxseat Driver (8 p.m.) and Leave Those Kids Alone (9 p.m.)

There’s also an Activity Zone, with interactive displays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., a Family Zone 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring everything from a Reptilia display to a meet-and-greet with Paw Patrol characters, and art with the LivingRoom mobile art bus, an Invado beach volleyball tournament, steel pan drummers, K9 dog shows, sand sculptures and pro Eclipse wrestling, along with a spectacular fireworks display.

All streets will be closed to traffic within the Lakeview Park area, including all streets east of Ritson Road South and south of Harbour Road.

Due to ongoing harbour cleanup affecting Victoria Fields, Whitby’s 2025 Canada Day celebrations will feature fireworks only.  The good news is this year’s display will be the largest show ever.

Parking and viewing areas at the south end of Victoria Fields will be affected due to ongoing harbour remediation and families are encouraged to arrive early to secure the perfect viewing spot and to enjoy a variety of food trucks on-site. Don’t forget to bring blankets, games and chairs to relax and celebrate your Canadian pride with family and friends.

Fireworks will begin at dusk – approximately 10 p.m.

The town of Ajax will welcome folks to Ajax Downs racetrack for Canada Day festivities from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

There will be a variety of activities to enjoy, including cultural performances, children’s games and activities, interactive experiences, live entertainment, community booths and marketplace, a sensory zone, food and beer vendors and a special fireworks finale at 10 p.m.

You can also take the free Canada Day shuttle to get there.

The City of Pickering will be celebrating Canada Day, Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m. in Esplanade Park and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Kinsmen Park.

The day will feature activities for the whole family, live entertainment, a variety of food vendors and live music on the big stage, with special giveaways for early arrivals at Kinsmen Park.

The mainstage performances kick off at 7 p.m. and go on until the firework finale at 10 p.m. with music from Tex Rexman, Echo and Kelsi Mayne.

Accessible bus shuttles to Kinsmen Park from Pickering GO Station and Ontario Power Generation parking lots (777 Brock Road with overflow at 889 Brock Road) begin at 6 p.m. and return shuttles resume after the fireworks show.

Other Canada Day events in Durham Region Tuesday include:

• Port Perry – Palmer Park 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Uxbridge – Elgin Patk 6 p.m. to dusk
• Newcastle – downtown, noon  to dusk
• Cannington – MacLeod Park 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Beaverton – 8 a.m. to dusk