What's happening in St. Catharines on Canada Day

From keeping cool at City pools and splash pads, to live music and family fun at Montebello Park, to exploring history at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre, there’s much to do in St. Catharines on Canada Day.

STC150 Canada Day Celebration

Join us in Montebello Park from noon to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, for a day full of music, creativity, great food and celebration. Two Celebrations. One City. Celebrate Canada Day and 150 Years of St. Catharines. A celebration of our nation and our common ground. Admission is free.

The event will feature a headline performance by The Trews, as well as live entertainment by Sully Burrows, Juliana Riolino, The Thuds, and The Strictly Hip, and children's performances by Spencer Burton - The Mountain Man and Rockin' Time with Mr. Rob and Friends.

Presented in partnership with Cicada Music and Arts Festival with support from Heritage Canada and Experience Ontario, this festival brings together live music, art, family fun, and community spirit.

Revelers will also enjoy:

• A collaborative community art project and live painting
• Life-sized LEGO lounge
• Super-sized inflatable family games
• Bubble zone
• Character visits from Jessie, Woody, Rex, Buzz Lightyear
• Strolling Magician
• Fire Prevention Services educational activities
• STC 150 merch tent
• Local food trucks and craft beverages, as well as a refillable water station (bring your own bottle).
• The first 150 guests will receive a voucher for a free lemonade.

Parking in the downtown area at City lots and garages is free. A free shuttle bus service will be available, running from the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre on a continuous loop to and from Montebello Park on July 1 from noon to 10 p.m.

Learn more about STC150 and Canada Day at www.stcatharines.ca/canadaday.

Drone and Fireworks Show

Join us at Rennie Park for the first-ever STC 150 and Canada Day drone and fireworks show. The excitement gets underway at 10 p.m.

Lakeside Park Carousel

The Lakeside Park Carousel, a historic, Charles I.D. Looff carousel that features 68 hand-carved animals, will be open Wednesday, July 1 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Still only 5 cents a ride.

The carousel is now open daily and returns to its weekends and holidays schedule in September. Learn more at www.stcatharines.ca/carousel.

Pools and splash pads

The St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre and the City’s outdoor pools, Lion Dunc Schooley Pool, Port Dalhousie Pool and the small pool at Lincoln Park, will be open on Canada Day Wednesday, July 1 with free leisure swimming to start the summer fun. Find admission and supervision requirements, program descriptions, schedules and online reservation portal at www.stcatharines.ca/pools.  

City splash pads at Bogart Street Park, Catherine Street Park, Lester B. Pearson Park, Secord Woods Park and West Park are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre

Discover exhibits, watch ships from the viewing platform, explore Discovery Park and more at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. Admission is by donation. The museum opens at 9 a.m. and will be Open Late, until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1. The Museum will be open late on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting on Canada Day and throughout July and August.

The Canada Day Open Late features a guided tour of the Fallen Canal Workers Memorial, a 30-45 minute walk exploring stories of hard work, danger, and tragedy of the 138 men who died building the Welland Ship Canal. The guided tour begins at 6:30 p.m. No registration required. Learn more about the museum and Open Late at stcatharinesmuseum.ca.

Garden City Golf Course

Spend your Canada Day on the greens with friends, family, and fellow golfers at Garden City Golf Course!

Enjoy a relaxing round, beautiful scenery, and great summer weather while celebrating everything that makes Canada great. Whether you're chasing your personal best or just looking for a fun day outdoors, we've got the perfect tee time waiting for you.

Book your round, wear your red and white, and join us for a great day of golf. To book tee times call 905-682-6432 or book online at www.stcatharines.ca/golf. Tee times start at 7 a.m.

Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm

Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Located along the shores of Lake Ontario, Happy Rolph’s features up-close experiences with farm animals, diverse birds and plants; an accessible playground; access to the waterfront; trails and more. Learn more at www.stcatharines.ca/HappyRolphs.

Parks and trails

Explore approximately 1,000 acres of parks and trails this summer and discover gardens, open greenspaces, monuments and more. Learn more at www.stcatharines.ca/Trails.

Morningstar Mill

The dam replacement project at Morningstar Mill and Decew Falls continues and access to the site remains closed to the public. Learn more at www.stcatharines.ca/MorningstarMill.

Closures

The following City facilities will be closed for Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1:

·         City Hall and City administrative offices

·         City arenas

·         City community centres and older adult centres

·         Kiwanis Artificial Turf Field and City outdoor sports fields

·         St. Catharines Enterprise Centre

·         Victoria Lawn Cemetery administration office (visitation is always available from dawn to dusk)