With summer in full swing, the city says it’s pleased to offer a wide variety of city-organized and community-based public events to help Torontonians celebrate Canada’s 155th birthday on Friday. Here’s a list of some of these attractions and what’s open and closed:
Fireworks:
Fireworks return to Ashbridges Bay on Friday. The show starts at 10 p.m. Ashbridges Bay Park is located on Lake Shore Avenue East at the foot of Coxwell Avenue and is easily accessible by public transportation. Read more about the security measures taken by the Toronto Police for the event. You can also watch fireworks displays at Mel Lastman Square and Downsview Park. Fireworks at Stan Wadlow Park have been rescheduled for July 2 and canceled at Milliken Park.
Attractions:
CN Tower: 9am to 9 p.m Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m Ontario Science Centre: 10am to 5 p.m Toronto Zoo: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The zoo will also open Splash Island on July 1. Royal Ontario Museum: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m Fort York Historic Site: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m Scarborough Museum: 11am to 5 p.m The market St. Lawrence is closed on Canada Day and will be open on Saturday from 5am. until 4 p.m.
City parks and pools: City parks, outdoor pools, pools and splash pads across Toronto will be open on Canada Day. Indoor pools and community centers will be closed, including restrooms inside them. Toronto Island Park: It’s a great place to enjoy a scenic picnic, hike or bike ride and features the interactive Franklin Children’s Garden. There are also several attractions offered by independent operators on site, such as Centerville Theme Park and Far Enough Farm. Riverdale Farm: Residents and visitors to Toronto can visit a working farm in the heart of the city. Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9am to 5pm and admission is free. High Park Animal Attraction: Toronto’s oldest animal attraction has been entertaining people for 120 years and is open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Victoria Day fireworks return to Ashbridges Bay at 10pm on Friday. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) StrollTO: Take advantage of free self-guided walking tours of 140 neighborhoods in Toronto through StrollTO. Golf on municipal courses: Toronto’s five municipal golf courses are located in beautiful parks and offer vacation rates. These affordable, high-quality and TTC-accessible courses are open daily, including Canada Day. Tennis Courts: Public tennis courts across the city will have nets and be available for use throughout the Canada Day weekend. Public websites are free. Tennis players are asked to share the courts by limiting their playing time to half-hour intervals if others are waiting to use the courts. Conservatories and greenhouses: Flowers are in full bloom at Centennial Park Conservatory and Allan Gardens Conservatory. Both are open daily from 10am to 5pm and admission is free. While renovations are taking place at Allen Gardens, the toilets inside the conservatory are closed. Portable toilets are available outside the playground. ActiveTO is back: ActiveTO will only take place on Saturday and Sunday. Bayview Avenue, from Rosedale Valley Road to Lawren Harris Square, and River Street, between Bayview Avenue and Spruce Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday . Beaches: Toronto beaches are open and most will be supervised from 10:30am. until 7:30 p.m. Cherry Beach in summer 2020. Toronto’s beaches are open and most will be patrolled from 10:30am. until 7:30 p.m. on Canada Day. (John Badcock/CBC)
Public transport:
TTC services will operate according to their holiday schedule on Friday GO Transit will operate on its Saturday schedule on Friday. The TTC will increase bus service from Woodbine Station and Coxwell Station on Line 2 to accommodate trips to and from Ashbridges Bay Park for the Canada Day fireworks display.
Groceries / LCBO / Beer Stores:
Most major grocery chains are closed on Friday. LCBO stores are closed on Friday. Select Beer Store locations will open Friday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Shopping malls:
CF Eaton Centre: 11am to 7 p.m Yorkdale Mall: closed. Scarborough town centre: closed. Square One Mall: 11am to 6 p.m Vaughan Mills: 11am to 7 p.m Pacific Mall: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m Toronto Premium stores: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m
But:
Government offices and Toronto Public Library branches will be closed on Friday. No Canada Post mail will be collected or delivered on Friday.
