Photo Credit: Tourism Toronto
Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday this year and many Canadians are pledging to explore more of their home country. Toronto is Canada’s largest city and it is planning some fantastic events throughout 2017! If you are planning a trip to Toronto, here are some ideas to make your vacation memorable.
1. Canada’s 150 Anniversary Celebration – TO Canada with Love is Toronto’s year-long love-letter to Canada’s 150th birthday. There are more than 30 city-produced events taking place across the city throughout 2017. Find more information at toronto.ca/canada/sa
2. Calling all hockey fans! The Toronto Maple Leafs are celebrating their Centennial Season! The Leafs are one of the “original six” NHL teams and there are special events to celebrate this historic occasion. Hockey fans of all ages are sure to be engaged! mapleleafs.ice.nhl.com
3. The Toronto Wolfpack rugby team is introducing the new-to-Canada sport of Rugby League starting in March 2017. The Toronto club will play in the Kingstone Press League 1, which currently has 12 teams from England, two from Wales and one from France. The Wolfpack will play a 22-game regular season in three-week intervals, flying to Toronto to host visiting teams and then returning to train in England to play away games. Their home base is at Lamport Stadium. torontowolfpack.com
4. Toronto will host the Invictus Games from September 23 to 30, 2017. The Invictus Games was established by Prince Harry in 2014 and is the only international sporting event for ill, wounded and injured members of the armed forces service members from 17 nations. invictusgames2017.com/
5. The Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) are expected to be the largest sporting and cultural gathering of Indigenous Peoples in North America. From July 16-23, 2017, these games will host more than 5,000 participants in 14 sport categories across Greater Toronto. naigcouncil.com/index.php
Photo Credit: Tourism Toronto
6. If your family likes art, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) will re-open in Fall 2017 in its new home. The MOCA’s focus is on Canadian and international artists whose works engage and address modern issues. To keep up with the museum’s news including updates on its grand re-opening, go to mocca.ca/sterling/
7. The first phase of the Ontario Place redevelopment is set to be open in July 2017. The site will include amenities such as walking and cycling trails and a 1,700 tonne granite rock wall that offers a panoramic view of the Toronto skyline. mtc.gov.on.ca/en/ontarioplace/ontarioplace.shtml
8. Another community park project is The Bentway and the first phase will also be completed in July 2017. This new urban park will provide year-round activities and events. Amenities include gardens, a skating rink, multi-use trails, public markets and public art. The space will also hold festivals, concerts and events. To learn more about this project, go to thebentway.ca
9. Toronto’s Molson Canadian Amphitheatre is changing its name. Starting with the 2017 summer season, the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre will be known as the Budweiser Stage. There will be more concession locations, cashless payment options, refurbishment of all concession stands and allowing guests to enter the venue sooner. For full listings of concerts and events at the Budweiser Stage go to livenation.com/venues/14878/budweiser-stage
Photo Credit: Tourism Toronto
10. The Toronto Caribbean Festival turns 50! The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is a three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, and revelry that takes place on July 11-August 7, 2017. It is a cultural phenomenon that promises to be even more lively this year as it celebrates turning 50! torontocaribbeancarnival.com
Photo credit: Dan Harper
12. Odysseo by Cavalia returns to Toronto area this summer. The show combines beautiful horses with acrobatics and theatre and is a spectacle that is not to be missed! It will be presented under the White Big Top in Mississauga from June 28 – July 16, 2017 and is suitable for all ages. cavalia.net
Photo Credit: LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
13. Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto is the ultimate indoor experience for any Lego fan. See Toronto’s attractions in miniature–made out of Lego, of course! Visitors can experience the 14 rides and attractions and take part in lots of other activities throughout the park. Note: Because this attraction experiences high demand during peak periods, it is advisable to pre-book your tickets. https://toronto.legolanddiscoverycentre.ca
14. Canada’s Wonderland is definitely a place you must visit on your Toronto vacation. Pick from the new rides like Soaring Timbers—the first ride of its kind in North America! Or how about Leviathan, one of the tallest and fastest coasters in the world? Perhaps Wonder Mountain’s Guardian, a 4-D interactive dark ride is more to your liking. Never fear, there are still lots of rides that are “old favourites” and if the weather gets too hot, you can always cool off in the Splash Works Water Park. Full information is at https://www.canadaswonderland.com
These are just a few of the many activities and events to help families enjoy the vibrant city of Toronto that will fit any budget and interests. Come see what makes Toronto such a great city to visit during Canada’s 150th birthday–and beyond!
