What to do in and around Calgary on Canada Day

What to do in and around Calgary on Canada Day

With any stat holiday come closures and changes to regular schedules for many places

There's no shortage of ways to celebrate Canada's 159th birthday in Calgary and the surrounding area on Wednesday.

Canada Day events will be held across the city and beyond, including the iconic fireworks show.

And with any stat holiday come closures and changes to regular schedules for many places.

Here's a look at what's going on for Canada Day and what Calgarians need to know.

Fireworks, live music and other events

The highlight of the day for many is the annual fireworks show, which will launch from Stampede Park at about 11 p.m.

The city says the best public viewing location is the Max Bell Centre parking lot. Onsite viewing at Stampede Park is not available due to setup for the upcoming Calgary Stampede, and restrictions are in effect for access to Scotsman's Hill through west Ramsay.

Ahead of the fireworks there will be free, family-friendly celebrations and concerts throughout downtown Calgary.

The city's main stage music show at Prince’s Island Park kicks off at 2 p.m., featuring an all-Canadian musical lineup including Micah Sage, Jamie Fine, Kardinal Offishall, Fawn Wood and headliner Walk off the Earth.

The park will also host a family-friendly beer garden, food vendors and a playground from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

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At The Confluence, visitors can experience an Indigenous artisans market, powwow, teaching teepees and an interactive Sport Calgary Sports Zone complete with inflatable soccer, luge, biathlon and ski jumping, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Calgary Municipal Building and Sien Lok Park are hosting cultural hands-on activities, a dragon walk, a lion dance and a cultural fashion show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Face painting and food vendors will also be at East Village and Eau Claire Plaza for other events there.

Spruce Meadows' Canada Day celebration features an indoor concert by Canadian country star Brett Kissel, who played there last year as well. The event will also include pony rides, arcade games, mini-train rides, crafts, face painting, dog races and more.

The city recommends walking or taking transit to the fireworks, as parking will be limited.

A free shuttle service will run between Eau Claire and the East Village from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with buses departing every 15 minutes.

Calgary Transit will operate buses, CTrains and On Demand services on a Sunday level of service.

The customer service centre will be closed, while the transit call centre will operate from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On-street ParkPlus zones will offer free parking. Most Calgary Parking parkades will be free, with the exception of surface lots and Lot 24 (Werklund Centre Parkade), which will follow weekend rates.

There will be road closures and vehicle restrictions in much of Eau Claire from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and East Village from 6 a.m. to midnight.

No parking zones will also be in place in parts of Eau Claire from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and East Village from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All city-operated arenas, indoor pools and fitness centres will be closed, and registered programs, swimming lessons and drop-in programs will not be offered.

The Animal Services Centre, Calgary Parking Contact Centre and Municipal Impound Lot will be closed.

City golf courses and driving ranges will be open for bookings at Confederation Park, Lakeview, Maple Ridge, McCall Lake and Shaganappi Point.

The Calgary Public Library will be hosting free activities and programs at the Central Library from 12 to 4:30 p.m., while other branches will be closed.

Lots happening in surrounding area

Outside of city limits, there's plenty going on as well.

Airdrie will host a parade from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a 20-minute fireworks display lighting up the sky at 10:45 p.m.

Cochrane is calling this year's Canada Day celebration its biggest ever, with live entertainment and family-friendly activities running from noon until the firework finale at 10:45 p.m.

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Okotoks' event includes live entertainment from local performers, a barbecue fundraiser, games and a mobile obstacle course, followed by fireworks at 10:30 p.m.

Also in Foothills County, the Saskatoon Farm is hosting a pancake breakfast and celebration, including a show and shine, a petting zoo, live country music and a market.

The Canmore Nordic Ski Club is hosting its 35th annual fun run and walk, with a Canada Day parade and breakfast also taking place.

Banff says Canada Day is its busiest day of the year, cautioning that all parking lots will be full by 10 a.m. The mountain town's iconic parade, live performances at Central Park, and a local market are among the activities happening at the popular tourist destination.

In addition to in-person events across the province and the country, CBC is offering a full day of live coverage and original programming on all platforms.