Whitehorse set to host bustling Canada Day festivities

Published 5:30 am Tuesday, June 30, 2026

By Noah Korver, Local Journalism Initiative

A Whitehorse resident wears a Canadian flag in her hair during the annual Canada Day parade on July 1, 2023, in Whitehorse, Yukon. (Photo by James Brooks)

Residents of Whitehorse can expect big crowds and increased traffic across this city on Wednesday as Canada Day celebrations are set to take place, followed by several more days of events as the Canadian Elite Basketball League gets ready to host the first ever professional basketball game in the Yukon on July 3.

On July 1, the city will celebrate the country’s 159th anniversary of confederation with almost half a dozen events at various locations. Starting at 8:00 a.m., the Knights of Columbus will be hosting a pancake breakfast, while on the other side of town, soon-to-be new Canadian citizens will be officially granted citizenship during a ceremony at the Whitehorse Legion.

The festivities will continue at 11:00 a.m. with a Canada Day parade from the Whitehorse United Church to Shipyards Park. According to a public service announcement published buy the city, residents and visitors should expect traffic closures and reroutes, saying that “Main Street will be closed from Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue, and Second Avenue will be closed from Main Street to Ray Street” starting at 10:30 a.m. and lasting until the parade’s conclusion.

In addition to increased traffic congestion in downtown, the city also says that residents should be aware that most city buildings and the Canada Games Centre will be closed throughout the day and some transit interruptions will take place at stops along the parade’s route.

Following the parade’s arrival at the park, the commissioner of the Yukon will be in attendance at an official opening ceremony and flag raising before afternoon festivities kick off with Canada Day cake, and an afternoon of live entertainment featuring local musicians, artists and performers.

Contact Noah Korver at noah.korver@yukon-news.com