St. John's 
Celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday with fun events and activities. Here is a list of things to do during the Canada Day long weekend in St. John’s.
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I. Official Canada Day Celebrations
St John’s Canada Day Celebrations
Annually the City of St. John’s celebrates Canada Day on July 1. All Canada Day events are accessible, and all activities are free of charge. From sunrise to sunset, on Canada Day there’s something for everyone! With support from the Government of Canada, the City of St. John’s and event partners will highlight many of the reasons we are proud to call Canada Home.
Be among the first in the country to start the Canada Day Celebrations. The day begins with a Sunrise Event at 6 a.m. at Signal Hill National Historic Site. A free wheelchair accessible Metrobus Shuttle will bring you from the Signal Hill Visitor Centre up to Cabot Tower. After the return shuttle, join everyone for free birthday cupcakes at the Signal Hill Visitor Centre.
An afternoon of free family fun and entertainment will take place at King George V Park (at the head of Quidi Vidi Lake) from 1 to 5 p.m. The event will include bouncers, interactive games, a cultural concert on the performance stage, an interactive cultural space, free birthday cupcakes and much more. Please remember to bring a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for the Community Food Sharing Association.
In the cultural interactive space, we will have a number of activities including workshops and showcases, and a Canada Day Drumming event, which involves six minutes of simultaneous drumming that will take place from coast to coast.
The evening will be sure to entertain with a live concert at the Quidi Vidi Bandstand at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. Details
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Sunrise Event | 6:00 AM @ Signal Hill National Historic Site
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 (Rain date: July 2 at 10 pm)
Various locations, St. John’s
Free
II. Things to do on Canada Day
Kick-off Canada Day with Parks Canada
Parks Canada will kick off Canada Day celebrations with a special sunrise event at Signal Hill National Historic Site.
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard will bring greetings on behalf of the minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages. Details
Tuesday, July 1 | 6:00 AM
Signal Hill National Historic Site – Upper Parking Lot, St. John’s
Free admission
Canada Day Street Party
Enjoy live music by the talented young performers of School of Rock, delivering classic hits with big energy. Kids can delight in face painting, balloon animals, and fun activities, while families soak up the festive vibes and music in downtown St. John’s. It’s the perfect all-ages celebration filled with laughter, entertainment, and community spirit!
Tuesday, July 1st, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Bud Light Main Stage, George Street, St. John’s
Free.
Canada Day Street Party
Join us for George Street’s Canada Day Celebration featuring powerhouse vocalist Kelly-Ann Evans and her 10-piece band performing AEROSMITH classics. Experience her unique, mesmerizing spin on iconic rock. Enjoy Music @ Work, a high-energy Tragically Hip tribute capturing the spirit of Canada’s beloved band. Don’t miss Andrew Rogers, an award-winning, ECMA-nominated singer-songwriter from St. John’s, whose 2024 debut Let It Out earned three MusicNL nominations. A night of unforgettable music and Canadian pride awaits! Details
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 | 6:00 PM.
Bud Light Main Stage, George Street, St. John’s
$20
Mount Pearl Canada Day Celebrations
Get ready to wave your maple leaf flags at our absolutely FREE family-friendly Canada Day bash at St. David’s Park! From toe-tapping live music to multicultural performances, we’ve got a day packed with fun that’ll make you proud to be Canadian. Bring your appetite for delicious food vendors and your giving spirit. Details
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
St. David’s Park, Mount Pearl
Free; Food banks will be on-site, accepting non-perishable food items.
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III. Things to do during Canada Day Weekend
Big Birthday Bash
Get ready for a high-energy night of Canadian pop, R&B, and dance on the legendary George Street! Platinum-selling artist Shawn Desman headlines THE BIG BIRTHDAY BASH, joined by rising star Preston Pablo — setting the stage for an unforgettable celebration this Canada Day!
This is a 19+ Event. Details
Monday, June 30, 2025 | 6:00 PM
George St, St. John’s
$25 – $75 + HST & Applicable Fees
Downtown Pedestrian Mall
The City of St. John’s Downtown Pedestrian Mall is open in 2025 from June 26 to September 1 from noon to 10 p.m. daily.
This popular location is bustling with excitement as restaurants and bars create outdoor patios and other businesses expand into the street. Water Street from Adelaide Street to Prescott Street will be closed to vehicles, with pedestrian traffic ramping up to take in the festivities and enjoy the energy and people-friendly vibe. Details
June 26 to September 1, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Downtown Pedestrian Mall, Water Street, St. John’s
Free
Live Music at O’Reilly’s
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
Daily
Evan Weeks & Tyler Humby | July 1 | 10:30 PM – 1:30 AM
O’Reilly’s on George Street, St. John’s
Beats at Bannerman
The time for the first “Beats at Bannerman” of the year is finally here to kick off a long summer of unforgettable outdoor events from both STRUCTURE and Cat Gravy TV. The outdoors event will be followed by our high-evergy 19+ club bash at 10PM hosted by STRUCTURE, taking place at Pavlov’s Electric Verandah. Details
Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bannerman Park, St. John’s
Free
Harland Williams
Canadian Icon Harland Williams is coming to St. John’s. Details
Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 7:00 PM
55 Bonaventure Ave, St. John’s
Free
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
Free admission from June 20 to September 2.
What’s Up In the Sky?
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 and 20 minutes of live show led by Garry Dymond, a member of our Interpretation team. Garry is an amateur astronomer with 50 years of experience and is a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC). Details
Sunday, June 29, 2025 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 PM
Johnson Geo Centre, 175 Signal Hill Rd, St. John’s
$5.00 + tax
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, June 28, 2025 | 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.” Details
305 Waterford Bridge Road, St. John’s
Gnome and Garden Faire
The weekend will be filled with fun activities. Buy some tickets to participate in our gnome games, and win some gold tokens you can use in our Gnome Depot shop! Details
June 28 – 29, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
306 Mt Scio Road, St. John’s
$6 – $12; Family Day Pass (2 adults & their children) $30
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. 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 8:00 AM on Sunday mornings. Details
June 27 – 30, 2025 | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed July 1
306 Mt Scio Road, St. John’s
$6 – $12; Family Day Pass (2 adults & their children) $30
Plan a Staycation at Pippy Park
Pippy Park is an excellent place to enjoy a nature vacation. Hiking trails, opportunities for bird watching, and a 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
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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.
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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.
-
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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.
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
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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.