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Canada Day lands on a Tuesday this year—but the real celebration? That’s happening all weekend long. Across York Region, Simcoe County, and all over Ontario. In many local communities, you'll find fireworks, festivals, concerts, and markets perfect for families and all ages.
Whether you’re planning a day out with the kids, a casual get-together with friends, or simply looking for something fun to do close to home, here’s your go-to guide for Canada Day weekend events in York Region and Simcoe County:
🗓️ Saturday, June 29 Events
📍 East Gwillimbury – Mount Albert Canada Day Event
🕕 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 📍 Mount Albert Community Centre
🎉 Free kids’ activities, inflatables, food trucks, live entertainment, and fireworks at 10 PM.
This is EG’s official Canada Day celebration—and it’s all happening Saturday night!
📍 Newmarket – Riverwalk Commons Farmers' Market
🕘 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 📍 Riverwalk Commons
🧺 Local vendors, produce, baked goods, and live music in the heart of town.
A great way to kick off the weekend before the big celebrations begin.
📍 Barrie – Promenade Days Festival (Day 1)
🕐 All Day | 📍 Downtown Barrie
🛍️ Street vendors, family entertainment, food stalls, and outdoor activities all weekend long.
🗓️ Sunday, June 30 Events
📍 Georgina – Canada Day at The ROC
🕑 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 📍 The ROC, Keswick
🎶 Live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, and one of the region’s best fireworks shows at 10 PM.
📍 Bradford – Free Pre-Canada Day Skate
🕒 3:00 PM – 4:20 PM | 📍 BWG Leisure Centre
⛸️ A free indoor activity for families looking to cool off while kicking off the long weekend.
📍 Barrie – Promenade Days (Day 2)
🕐 All Day | 📍 Downtown Barrie
🎡 Family fun continues with more vendors, music, and interactive zones.
🗓️ Canada Day – Tuesday, July 1 Events
📍 Aurora – Lambert Willson Park Celebration
🕚 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
🎡 Inflatables, splash zone, midway rides, food vendors, and a main stage concert. Fireworks at dusk!
📍 Newmarket – Canada Day at Riverwalk Commons
🕐 All Day
🎤 Live music, food trucks, kids’ zone, and fireworks at George Richardson Park in the evening.
📍 Orillia – Downtown & Couchiching Beach Park
🕛 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
🎨 Street performers, vendors, a kids’ zone, and fireworks by the water.
📍 Bradford – Canada Day at BWG Leisure Centre
🕓 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
🎈 Family entertainment, food vendors, live performances, and fireworks at 10 PM.
📍 Barrie – Promenade Days Grand Finale
🕐 All Day | 📍 Downtown Barrie & Waterfront
🎆 The street festival wraps up with fireworks over Kempenfelt Bay.
🧺 Keep It Local, Keep It Simple Not every celebration needs a big crowd. If you’re looking to slow things down this weekend, here are a few easy, local ways to make the most of the long weekend—no fireworks required:
🌊 Stroll a Beach or Launch a Paddle
Sibbald Point Provincial Park (Georgina): Sandy beach, picnic spots, and paddling options on Lake Simcoe.
De La Salle Park (Georgina): One of Lake Simcoe’s nicest public beaches with clean shoreline, picnic spots, and a roped-off swim area.
Willow Beach (Georgina): A quieter, family-friendly option with shaded areas and shallow entry—great for young kids.
Bayview Memorial Park (Oro-Medonte): A hidden gem on the north end of Lake Simcoe with sandy shoreline, a playground, and beautiful views.
Centennial Park Beach (Barrie): Easy-access public beach with a boardwalk, splash pad, and nearby food vendors.
🌲 Take a Walk or Explore a Trail
Rogers Reservoir Trail (East Gwillimbury): A peaceful trail system that follows the Holland River—great for a scenic walk or easy bike ride.
Scanlon Creek Conservation Area (Bradford): Forested loops, lookout points, and open space for families to enjoy nature without going far.
Fairy Lake & Tom Taylor Trail (Newmarket): A beautiful in-town walking route that loops around Fairy Lake and connects to Newmarket’s vibrant Main Street.
Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve (Orillia): A shady, quiet escape just outside town with accessible trails through a mature hardwood forest.
Springwater Trail at the Sports Heritage Complex (Springwater): A quiet, well-maintained trail just off Hwy 26—perfect for families and casual weekend walkers.
Kempenfelt Bay Waterfront Trail (Barrie): A scenic paved path along the shoreline that connects to the Trans Canada Trail and offers beautiful lake views and plenty of spots to stop and sit.
🍦 Grab a Sweet Treat
Nonna’s Lakeside Gelato (Sutton): Small-batch, authentic Italian gelato just steps from the water—perfect after a stroll through Jackson’s Point or Sutton’s High Street.
Scooby Doo’s Ice Cream (Keswick): A fun and family-friendly Keswick favourite with generous scoops, classic flavours, and serious cottage town charm.
Kawartha Dairy (Newmarket): A must-visit for classic Ontario ice cream lovers—rich, creamy scoops from a beloved brand on Yonge Street.
Swirleez Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream (Orillia): Self-serve frozen yogurt with a full toppings bar, plus scooped ice cream for traditionalists—great stop downtown.
The Ice Cream Hut (Orillia – Couchiching Beach Park): Grab a cone just steps from the lake, splash pad, and playground—perfect for a family treat after some time in the sun.
Homestead Artisan Bakery & Café (Barrie): While famous for coffee and baked goods, their house-made ice cream is an underrated gem—grab a scoop and enjoy it along the Kempenfelt Bay waterfront trail.
🛍️ Markets & Pop-Up Events
👩🌾 ClearWater Farm Market (Keswick): Pick up fresh produce, honey, preserves, and baked goods from this working farm on the shores of Lake Simcoe—open Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM.
👩🌾 Newmarket Farmers’ Market (Riverwalk Commons): A vibrant Saturday morning market in the heart of downtown with fresh fruit, veggies, baked goods, and live music—perfect for pairing with a stroll around Fairy Lake.
👩🌾 Georgina Farmers’ Market (The Link – Sutton): Held Sundays from 9 AM to 2 PM, this community market features local produce, handcrafted goods, and plenty of small-town charm.
👩🌾 Aurora Farmers’ Market (Town Park): Open Saturday mornings from 8 AM to 1 PM with everything from fresh produce and baked goods to local art and live music.
👩🌾 East Gwillimbury Farmers’ Market (Sharon Civic Centre): Open Thursdays from 2 PM to 7 PM—great for stocking up early for your long weekend gatherings.
👩🌾 Innisfil Farmers’ Market (Innisfil Rec Complex): Open Fridays from 1 PM to 6 PM, offering fresh food, preserves, flowers, and more from local vendors.
👩🌾 Orillia Farmers’ Market (Downtown Orillia): One of Ontario’s longest-running markets, held Saturday mornings beside the library—offering everything from fresh produce to baked goods, flowers, and more.
👩🌾 Barrie Farmers’ Market (Barrie City Hall): Held every Saturday morning with a wide selection of local meat, cheeses, veggies, pastries, and coffee—ideal for packing up a spontaneous waterfront picnic.
🎪 PLUS: Pop-Ups & Weekend-Only Events
🛍️ Bradford Pop-Up Market (BWG Library): A small community-run market typically held on long weekends, with local vendors, handmade goods, and family-friendly activities. Look for tents in the library parking lot on Saturday morning.
🍻 Turkey Shoot Brewing Co. (Keswick): Hosting a casual Canada Day weekend hangout with a special beer release, outdoor games, and snacks Friday through Sunday. A great spot to stop after the beach or market.
🛍️ Downtown Sutton Sidewalk Pop-Ups (High Street): On Saturday, June 29, several Sutton shops and vendors are expected to set up sidewalk sales and market tables—pair it with a scoop from Nonna’s Gelato for the full experience.
🍻 Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery (Barrie): Offering free brewery tours and discounted tasting flights all weekend long—just steps from the waterfront promenade and a great add-on to your downtown Barrie plans.
🎶 Malones Pint House Patio Party (Barrie): Live music and a buzzing patio scene Saturday night on Bayfield Street. Great for those looking for evening energy without the fireworks crowds.
🎸 Market Brewing Co. (Newmarket): Hosting live music and food trucks all weekend long—family-friendly with indoor and outdoor seating, making it an easy stop after Fairy Lake or the farmers’ market.
🎵 Quayle’s Brewery (Oro-Medonte): Kicking off the long weekend with live music Saturday afternoon, a full kitchen, and lots of space to relax in the sunshine.
However you choose to spend the weekend—whether it’s dancing to live music, catching a quiet sunset at the lake, or browsing your favourite local market—we hope it’s filled with the people and places that make you feel at home.
From all of us at The Mister Waterfront Team, enjoy the long weekend and everything our beautiful communities have to offer. 🌞