How to mark Canada Day in Calgary

Calgarians will have the chance to take in plenty of activities to mark Canada Day on Saturday.

The City of Calgary says this year’s free and family-friendly celebration features an Indigenous showcase and powwow, live music, and fireworks above Stampede Park.

Other attractions throughout the day include cultural performances, face painting, turban tying, lion dances, a street fair and more.

“We’re excited to welcome Calgarians and visitors downtown on Canada Day for a memorable day of performances and activities that celebrate the many stories of what it means to be Canadian,” Franca Gualtieri, Arts and Culture manager with The City of Calgary, said. “We hope this Canada Day you’ll come together with family and friends and appreciate what makes Calgary, and Canada, a great place to live.”

Read more: Calgary Canada Day fireworks to launch from Stampede Park 

Events will take place at Fort Calgary, St. Patrick’s Island, Olympic Plaza, the Municipal Building Atrium and other downtown locations.

The evening main stage show at Fort Calgary will include performances by Dear Rouge, William Prince and headliner act The Funk Hunters, who the city says has a musical set that includes on-stage special effects.

In addition, the city is reminding Calgarians that onsite viewing of the fireworks at 11 p.m. won’t be available at Stampede Park due to the setup of this year’s Stampede.

Events are also taking place outside of the downtown core — including a market in Eau Claire from noon to 8 p.m., multicultural performances in Chinatown from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., a street fair in East Village, also from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and activities at the Central Library.

Getting around and notable closures on Canada Day

The city says Calgary Transit will be running a Sunday level of service, noting the call centre and customer service centres will be closed.

Canada Day celebrations have road closures going downtown in the East Village.

That includes 5 and 6 streets SE which are shut down between 7 and 9 avenues, while 8 Avenue is blocked from 4 to 6 streets.

Then, when Canada Day fireworks are launched from Stampede Park, the Stampede preparation has the grounds closed to all traffic.

As well, there is limited access to viewing points for the fireworks on Scotsman’s Hill and McHugh Bluff, with restricted entry into West Ramsay in the southeast and onto Crescent Road NW.

Meanwhile, parking is free at any on-street ParkPlus zones and all Calgary Parking Parkades, except at the lot at Arts Commons.

Holiday rates apply to Lot 24 and all Calgary Parking surface lots for the occasion. The city says the impound lot and the Calgary Parking contact centre will be closed.

Numerous facilities will be closed on Canada Day, including all arenas, the Southland and Village Square Leisure centres, the Calgary Soccer Centre, North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres, and indoor city pools and fitness facilities.

Rentals at the Glenmore Reservoir Kayak and Canoe Rentals will be open from 9:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., and all golf courses and driving ranges will be open as well.

All information on the city’s July 1 events, including the schedule and interactive map, can be found at calgary.ca/CanadaDay.