Canada is throwing a nationwide birthday party for itself throughout 2017 – hey, you only turn 150 years old once. Of course, Canada is a big place. What are the best ways and best places to join in on the celebration? TURNER has a few suggestions.
Explore National Parks in Alberta
Alberta’s spectacular national parks are always worth visiting, but there’s an added reason to explore them in 2017. In honor of Canada’s 150 th anniversary, all five of the province’s national parks – Banff, Glacier, Waterton, Wood Buffalo, and Jasper – are absolutely free for visitors all year long. You’ll discover UNESCO World Heritage sites, history that goes back millions of years, rare wildlife and breathtaking scenery.
Discover Deep Canadian History at the Royal Alberta Museum
Scheduled to open in late 2017, the $375.5 million Royal Alberta Museum will be the largest museum in Western Canada. Interactive exhibits will feature natural and human history to share Alberta’s incredible archaeological and cultural stories, from changing landscapes, to First Peoples, to the province’s future as a vibrant, growing multicultural community.
Go from Field to Fork at Heritage Park
Get a taste of authentic Alberta cuisine at Heritage Park in Calgary. From Field to Fork, A Culinary Journey will highlight Alberta’s agricultural history, inspired by rich First Nations’ culture. Featuring regional food products prepared with culinary excellence, this new program (available May-October) will invite guests to experience an unparalleled feast for the senses.
Toronto Celebrations
The cosmopolitan city of Toronto is hosting an array of festivals and events in 2017. Just a few include:
- Toronto's Festival of Beer (July 28, 29 and 30th, 2017): The Festival of Beer’s pavilion showcases Canada's rich history of beer and food in a 20,000+ square-foot space and options from every province in Canada.
- The Redpath Waterfront Festival (June 30th to July 2nd): The place to be to celebrate Canada Day and Canada’s 150th in 2017. RWF will bring a jam-packed weekend of Festival Canadiana programming to Toronto’s waterfront including interactive shows and nautical activities for everyone to enjoy as well as live music and delicious food from local chefs.
- Canada on Screen: Discover the best in Canadian cinema at the TIFF Bell Lightbox during this free, year-round film festival.
- Sounds of Home: Harbourfront Centre’s sesquicentennial-themed summer music program.
- Canada Mosaic: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Canadian music, from rock to classical, with performances throughout the year.
