Special Events in Canada
Thousands of special events are scheduled throughout the year across Canada. Some of the largest and more popular activities in Canada are listed here.
VANCOUVER – NEW YEAR DAY POLAR BEAR SWIM
Vancouver is located between the Pacific Coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It’s one of the fascinating cities in Canada. It’s home to some of Canadas best-kept beaches overlooked by highrise office buildings and apartment complexes.
As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in North America, the amount of tourists, immigrants, and cultures throughout the city is impressive.
Every day in Vancouver, something is happening. The schedule more and more events each year with many festivals, international performers, musicians, and entertainers coming to Vancouver.
The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club is one of the largest and oldest Polar Bear Club in the world. The swim takes place on the first day of a new year. Over 1,500 people (many in costume) run down the beach at English Bay and make the plunge into the water.
More up-to-date information on different events happening in Vancouver:
https://www.tourismvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/
QUEBEC WINTER CARNIVAL
A few weeks into the New Year, Quebec City is transformed into the biggest winter celebration of all time.
From the last weekend of January for 17 days the Quebec Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Quebec) kicks off. Thousands of visitors from all over the world come to enjoy music, entertainment, activities, and the food that makes Quebec famous all year round.
Popular events and attractions which appear annually include:
- The Ice Palace
- Canoe race over the frozen St. Lawrence river
- Outdoor skating at Place Hydro-Quebec
- Husky pulled dog-sleds
- Snow rafting
- International snow sculpture competition
- Street entertainers
The list goes on and on. Every year they plan new events for all the family to enjoy.
Most of the special events happen over the weekends, but all the activities run through the week. The epicenter for the carnival is in front of the provincial Parliament building. If you head down this way, you will not miss it!
More information on the Quebec Winter Carnival:
CALGARY STAMPEDE AND RODEO
The gleaming city of Calgary, no longer just a prairie cow town rises over the flat farmland of south-central Alberta. To the west, just in view, are the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, and the grassy farmlands of the prairies spread out east for over 1,500 kilometers.
With almost a million people now living in the metropolitan area, Calgary has made a firm place for itself in Canada’s economy. Calgary is home to hundreds of oil companies, and is still the national center for cattle trade.
Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains are only 120km away. The wide selection of attractions, events, and activities make Calgary a popular tourist destination amongst Canadians and tourists from around the world.
The Calgary Stampede is a western Canadian heritage event (one of Canada’s biggest annual events). It features bareback horse riding, bull riding, Chuckwagon races, and many other impressive entertainment acts. The Stampede lasts for about nine days during the middle of July.
More information:
https://www.calgarystampede.com/
TORONTO GAY PRIDE PARADE
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, and the city acts as the nation’s business capital.
Downtown Toronto is compact, and it connects to districts by an excellent public transportation system. The downtown is very vibrant and clean, and safe even at night. Apart from a few areas, the center can be rambled unhindered at all hours.
The CN Tower, SkyDome, China Town, and the waterfront are just a few of the many attractions the city offers. The theater district is worth visiting.
An international Gay Pride Parade goes through Toronto as part of Pride Week. The Parade attracts more than a million visitors to the city, making it one of the largest in the world. Pride Week is usually held at the end of June.
CANADA DAY
Celebrated across Canada, Canada Day is held on the 1st of July. Different cities and communities have varying types of events, but this is a public vacation where everyone comes out to play.
There are lots of great things to do in Canada, and special events to participate.
