St. John's 
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Celebrate Canada’s 156th birthday with fun events and activities. Here is a list of things to do during the Canada Day long weekend in St. John’s.
I. Official Canada Day Celebrations
St John’s Canada Day Celebrations
Join us this July 1 as the City of St. John’s celebrates Canada Day! From sunrise to sunset, there’s something for everyone. With support from the Government of Canada, the City of St. John’s and our event partners will highlight many of the reasons we are proud to call Canada Home.
The day begins with a Sunrise Event at 6 a.m. at Signal Hill National Historic Site. Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, will bring greetings on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada. After the return shuttle, join everyone for free birthday cupcakes at the Signal Hill Visitor Centre.
A full afternoon of free family fun and entertainment will take place at King George V Park from 1 to 5 p.m.
The event will include bouncers, Laser Tag, balloon twisters, interactive games, a cultural concert and activities, free birthday cupcakes and much more.
The evening will be sure to entertain with a live concert at the Quidi Vidi Bandstand followed by fireworks. Details
Saturday, July 1, 2023
Sunrise Event | 6:00 AM @ Signal Hill National Historic Site – Upper Parking Lot
Free birthday cupcakes @ Signal Hill Visitor Centre
Family fun and entertainment | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ King George V Park
Concert | 8:00 PM @ Quidi Vidi Bandstand
Fireworks | 10:00 PM
Various locations, St. John’s
Free
II. Things to do on Canada Day
Big Birthday Bash
Kick summer off with a BANG featuring Dropkick Murphys with special guests At Ship’s End on Friday, June 30 and Tim Baker & All Hands with special guests: Half Moon Run & Billianne on Saturday, July 1st. This is a 19+ Event. Details
June 30 – July 1, 2023
Dropkick Murphys | Friday, June 30 | 7:00 PM At Ship’s End
Tim Baker | Saturday July 1 | 7:00 PM
George St, St. John’s
$45 – $109.50
Celtic Fiddlers Canada Day Celebrations
Join the Celtic Fiddlers in celebrating Canada Day at the Ship Pub on Duckworth. Details
Saturday, July 1, 2023 | 9:00 PM
The Ship Pub, 265 Duckworth Street, St. John’s
$13.33 – $15
Fairy Door Tours
Join us in Pippy Park, Saturdays at 11am or 1pm throughout summer for this whimsical and fun nature adventure. Using clues we’ll search for and visit a series of enchanting fairy, elf and gnome homes scattered along a woodland trail. Make a wish at the Fairy’s well, mail a letter at the Fairy Mailbox, gather wood for a grumpy Gnome and more. Details
Saturday, July 1, 2023 | 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Pippy Park, 34 Nagles Place, St. John’s
$10.00
Mount Pearl Canada Day Celebrations
Join us for a family friendly celebration of Canada’s birthday! There will be multicultural performances and food, live entertainment by Rum Ragged, bouncy castles, cupcakes and more! Don’t forget to wear your red and white! Details
Saturday, July 1, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
St. David’s Park, Mount Pearl
Free; Food banks will be onsite accepting non-perishable food items.
More Summer Fun:
Summer Festivals in Newfoundland and Labrador
III. Things to do during Canada Day Weekend
Downtown Pedestrian Mall
June 22 to September 4, 2023
Downtown Pedestrian Mall, Water Street, St. John’s
Free
Jigg’s Dinner & Show
Enjoy Jiggs Dinner with roast chicken and savoury dressing, and live entertainment featuring Celtic Fiddlers! Details
Sunday, July 2, 2023 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub, 13 George Street, St. John’s
$45 + service fee
Traditional Music Sessions
O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub (voted Canada’s Favourite Bar) is one a kind, located in the heart of Newfoundland’s famous Entertainment District on the legendary George Street. Join us at O’Reilly’s for a rollicking Newfoundland time that will dance in your heart for years to come! Live music is the rule – every night of the week featuring the best in local Irish/Newfoundland music. Details
Sunday, July 2, 2023 | 6:30 PM
O’Reilly’s on George Street, St. John’s
Brothers in Stereo – 20th Anniversary Show
Brothers in Stereo celebrate the 20th anniversary of their eponymous debut album. Details
Friday, June 30, 2023 | 9:00 PM
The Ship Pub, 265 Duckworth Street, St. John’s
$22.63
A Day in the Life of a Newcomer Photo Exhibit
To recognize World Refugee Day, the City of St. John’s is proud to open a photography exhibit featuring the work of students in the Association for New Canadians (ANC) Language School. The exhibit entitled ‘A Day in the Life of a Newcomer to Canada’ features images of newcomers and iconic St. John’s landmarks. Details
On display until Friday, June 30, 2023 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wyatt Hall (Great Hall) at City Hall, 10 New Gower Street, St. John’s
Free
Cruise Ship visit – Seven Seas Navigator
St. John’s is fast becoming an internationally-preferred cruise destination. A wide array of cruise lines include the Port of St. John’s on their cruise itineraries as both a home port and in-transit port of call. The port regularly welcomes cruise vessels on itineraries travelling on a trans-Atlantic (North), Adventure Expedition, Canada-New England and/or home-porting itineraries. Details
Sunday, July 2, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Harbour Drive, St. John’s
Reel Downtown
Downtown St. John’s presents an outdoor movie screening, free of charge. Together with local businesses, we offer you the chance to watch the “stars under the stars” in the historic atmosphere of downtown. All you have to do is bring your own chair. Details
Fright Night featuring Night of the Living Dead (1990) | Monday, July 3, 2023 | 6:00 PM
Lot at Water Street at Solomon’s Lane, St. John’s
FREE PARKING every Monday evening in July (after 6 pm) for Reel Downtown patrons! Access Atlantic Place Parking Garage via Clift’s Baird’s Cove and it’s just a short walk to the Reel Downtown site on Water Street at the bottom of Solomon’s Lane .
Explore Signal Hill National Historic Site
Signal Hill is a beloved landmark in St. John’s known for its hiking trails, stunning views, and the iconic Cabot Tower. With a rich history of military battles and technological achievements, visitors can experience the echoes of cannon fire and witness where the world’s first transatlantic wireless signal was received. Explore the coastal hikes and take in breathtaking views of St. John’s and the Atlantic Ocean. Details
Daily | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Signal Hill National Historic Site, St. John’s
$7.00 – $8.50
What’s Up in the Sky in July?
Join us for this presentation as we look to the skies and learn about the celestial bodies visible at different points of the season. This event is available on the first and last Sundays of each month, from 1:00-2:00pm and 3:00-4:00pm. All sessions will include a 30 minute planetarium film, currently “The Sun: Our Living Star,” and 20 minutes of live show led by Garry Dymond, a member of our Interpretation team. Garry will present the night sky, focusing on what we can see during the month right here on the Northeast Avalon. This guided virtual tour of the night sky will teach you to spot and identify a number of constellations, stars, planets, and more. Show is for ages 5 and up. Details
Sunday, July 2, 2023 | 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Johnson Geo Centre, St. John’s
Admission is $5.00(+tax). Please note this fee does not include the exhibits.
St. John’s Farmers’ Market
Celebrates the best from local farmers, food artisans, craftspeople, and more. Discover new tastes and connect to your community like never before. Details
Saturday, July 1, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
St. John’s Community Market, 245 Freshwater Road, St. John’s
Free
IV. More Things to Do
Go Hiking
St. John’s and the Avalon Peninsula are packed with trails that take people through parks and wooded areas, along rivers and lakes, and past beautiful flora and fauna. Why not spend the day rediscovering St. John’s hiking trails?
- 25 of the Best Walks & Hikes in St John’s and the Avalon Peninsula
- 15 Best Hikes in Newfoundland and Labrador
Explore Bowring Park
Spend the day at the largest park in St. John’s. Pack a picnic, a book, painting supplies, kite or ball, and head to the park for a fun-filled day. Use the ‘Explore Bowring Park’ mobile app to explore the park’s various ‘hot spots.”
The Outdoor Swimming Pool in Bowring Park is scheduled to be opened July 2 to August 27.
The Nevaeh Denine Splash Pad in Bowring Park is scheduled to be opened July 2 to September 4. Details
305 Waterford Bridge Road, St. John’s
See Flowers at MUN Botanical Garden
MUN Botanical Garden is on every nature enthusiast’s to-do list. With beautiful displays and meandering trails, and scenic vistas, this Botanical Garden calls everyone back to nature.
Experience the magic quality the gardens and trails take on in the evening, On Twilight Thursdays, you will have the opportunity to see the garden “after hours”. Details
Take a guided walk on the Gardens’ nature trails with a Friend of the Garden volunteer and learn about Newfoundland birds. Bird watching sessions start at 8:00AM on Sunday mornings, 9:00am in October. Details
July Hours: Friday – Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday | 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
306 Mt Scio Road, St. John’s
$6 – $20
Plan a Staycation at Pippy Park
Pippy Park is an excellent place to enjoy a nature vacation. Hiking trails, opportunities for bird watching, 27-hole golf course, are just a few of the things to enjoy. Book a reservation at the Pippy Park Campgrounds. Choose from full, semi, and unserviced sites. Details
34 Nagles Place, St. John’s
Call 709-737-3669 or email campground@pippypark.com
You might like: 25 Ideas for a Summer Staycation in Newfoundland & Labrador
Go Camping
Sleep under the starry skies and get away from the hustle of everyday life when you camp or glamp in the natural beauty of this beautiful land.
You might like:
- 20+ Parks to Go Camping in Newfoundland and Labrador
- 15 Places to Go Camping & Glamping in Newfoundland
Immerse yourself in History
Enter Castle Hill National Historic Site and explore a chapter of history that determined the fate of a continent. Stroll the ruins of the stone fort, see stunning views, hike the various trails and explore this piece of treasure! Details
1 Old Castle Hill Rd, Jerseyside
Plan a Getaway
Enjoy a getaway.
-
Whitewater Kayaking: Experience the Ultimate Water Adventure in Newfoundland This Summer
- 10 of the Best Boat Tours to Explore Nature in Newfoundland
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- 7 Spa Getaways in Newfoundland
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Hook a Bait
Relax with a rod and reel in your catch, make the most of the season with a fishing trip. Fishing licenses and guidelines must be followed.
Enjoy a Swim
Take a dip in the pool. Most Outdoor Pools and Splash Pads will be open by July 2nd or 3rd. Details
Trans-Canada Hwy Glovertown, Traytown
Embrace the Wilderness
Terra Nova National Park is located two and half hours from St. John’s, but is worth the drive. There are several hiking trails here including half-hour short trails to multi-day hikes. Enjoy fresh ocean air and natural landscapes, swim, hike, fish, or paddle, see panoramic views, and more. Details
Trans-Canada Hwy Glovertown, Traytown
Enjoy a Coastal Hike
The iconic location of Signal Hill is home to multiple trails that connect to other trails around St. John’s! Details
See an Amazing World
Learn more about Newfoundland and the earth at the Johnson Geo Centre! Details
Daily | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
175 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s
Regular Admission $6 – $12
You might like: 24 Ways to Discover St. John’s in 24 Hours
Have an Outdoor Adventure
The Avalon Peninsula is home to beautiful sandy beaches, challenging hikes, lush green forests, and much more. From watching birds at the Big Pond Bird Sanctuary to waterfall chasing at Cataracts Provincial Park, there is so much to do here.
Join us for a celebration of the incorporation of one of North America’s oldest cities through outdoor concerts, tours, historical characters, family fun days and other events throughout downtown. All St. John’s Days events are free and welcome all ages.
Thanks.