Celebrate Canada 150
Though there are not quite 150 things to do in Lethbridge for Canada’s 150 (how unfortunate, as that would make a tremendous title), there are certainly a bunch of great events taking place throughout the city that you won’t want to miss out on. Canada Day, being Lethbridge’s biggest yearly celebration, is sure to be full of fabulous events and a little something for everyone to enjoy. With so much event saturation in Lethbridge, how do you find the ideal place to get the most out of Canada’s sesquicentennial? Fortunately for you, we’ve done the research. This is our Canada 150 gift to you: to make your celebrations a little easier and deciding where you should be a little more stress free.
Are you looking for a free pancake breakfast, some Birthday cake, and a fun-filled morning of carnival games?
Then start your 150th celebrations off right with Westside Community Church. All the fun options listed above are completely free of charge and will take place from 8am – 11am. Hurry down to make sure that you nab yourself a piece of Birthday cake before it’s gone!
Address: 480 McMaster Boulevard West
Does dancing in the park suit your idea of a good Canada Day celebration?
Then spend some time at Henderson Lake for Zumba in the Park. Zumba will take place in the field by the 2nd parking lot on the North side of the lake. Come dance away your weekly stress and shed a few pounds while doing it. (Don’t forget to bring a water bottle!)
Want something a bit more intense? Attend STRONG by Zumba – a new HIIT fitness full body workout! Bring a yoga mat (or large towel) and a water bottle. There will be cardio, strength training, burpees, planks, an ab workout, and more. Get moving and enjoy the beauty of our city park!
Address: 2710 Parkside Drive South
Zumba Schedule:
| Zumba | 10am – 11am | $7 per class (cash only) |
| STRONG by Zumba | 7pm – 8pm |
Do music and boat rides tickle your fancy?
Ride alongs on the Dragonboats will be offered from 10am – 5pm on Canada Day at Henderson Lake again this year. If you are interested in the sport or just want a boat ride on Henderson Lake, come join the experienced paddlers as they take you through the basic techniques of paddling a Dragonboat. Signs will be posted near the main docks.
Address: 2710 Parkside Drive South
Do you want a little bit of everything? This next place has music, performances, crafts, free popcorn, a Canada Day treasure hunt, a car Show n’ Shine, and a delicious pancake breakfast.
All these festivities will be taking place at the Galt Museum and Archives this Canada Day. All the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Interfaith Food Bank, so come out and support a good cause. All ages are welcome.
Address: 502 1st Street South
Galt Museum Schedule:
| Event | Time | Cost |
| Pancake Breakfast | 9am – 12pm | $3 adults / $2 kids (under 10) |
| Show n’ Shine | 9am – 3pm | $10 for registration* |
| Concession & Additional Attractions | 1pm – 3pm |
*Registrations for the Show n’ Shine will be taken on the day of.
Are you looking for wagon rides, music, and a mini pow-wow?
Then you need to be at the Fort Whoop-Up and Archives between 1:00pm and 4:30pm this Canada Day. These events are free and all ages are welcome. Tours will also be available.
Address: 200 Indian Battle Road South
Are you a sports lover looking to attend a baseball game?
This Canada Day, the Lethbridge Bulls have a double header against the Moose Jaw Miller Express. There is a game at 2:05pm and another at 7:35pm. Please take note of the special parking instructions for Canada Day: Parkside Drive South will be closed from Mayor Magrath Drive to 34th Street from 7am – 11:30pm. Please use the rear entrance to Spitz Stadium. Make sure to bring your blankets to enjoy the fireworks on the field after the game!
Address: 6th Avenue South and 25th Street
Game Schedule:
| Lethbridge Bulls vs. Moose Jaw Miller Express | 2:05pm |
| Lethbridge Bulls vs. Moose Jaw Miller Express | 7:35pm |
Do you like cheap food and a good cocktail?
Then you simply must attend Average Joe’s Party! Doors open at 2:00pm and the first 150 customers receive a free red Budweiser t-shirt. All day, order a hamburger with fries or 10 Frank’s hot sauce chicken wings for only $1.50 (on dine-in meals only, must purchase a beverage). Vodka Caesars will also be discounted by $1.50.
Address: 420 6th Street South
Are you hoping to watch / participate in a bike, scooter, or skateboard competition?
Then the SLP Industries Canada Day Jam Bike and Skate Competition is the place for you. There is no fee and all ages and abilities are welcome. There are even prizes to be won!
Address: 2599 Parkside Drive South
Competition Schedule:
| Bike Competition | 12pm – 2pm |
| Scooter Competition | 2pm – 3pm |
| Skateboard Competition | 3pm – 5pm |
Are you searching for a place to celebrate the art, culture, and history Canada?
Search no longer. The Southern Alberta Art Gallery is hosting an exhibit on Colonization and Decolonization from 11am – 3pm.
Address: 601 3rd Avenue South
How does a dip in the pool, a nice BBQ, and a slice of cake sound?
The Westminster Pool is offering a $1.50 swim, a free BBQ, a birthday cake in celebration of Canada’s 150, and some Canada themed prizes.
Address: 411 – 16th Street North
Swim Schedule:
| Lane Swim | 11am – 12pm |
| Open Swim | 12pm – 7pm |
Are you looking to take a nice walk in the garden or have an outdoor or indoor tea party? Does your ideal Canada Day involve viewing drumming performances and learning more about Japanese culture and horticulture?
Then take a trip to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden to celebrate Canada Day and the 150 Anniversary of Confederation. The Garden will be hosting all day programming including a special presentation by renowned horticulturalist Lyndon Penner on Provincial Tree and Flowers and a very special joint taiko drumming performance from Lethbridge Community Taiko and the University of Lethbridge’s Global Drumming Program! For full list of events, see below.
Address: Mayor Magrath Drive South
Maybe you’d like to stick to the typical stuff, such as participating in singing the national anthem or even just getting a good view of the fireworks?
You’re in luck! The Garden is also the ideal location to for fireworks viewing and is offering an anthem sing at 12pm. See below for more events that the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden has to offer.
Address: Mayor Magrath Drive South
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden Schedule:
| Garden Opens – Enjoy morning coffee service from 8am to 10am (food and drinks are not allowed in the Garden after 10am) | 8am |
| Garden Tour | 10am |
| Nodate (Outside Tea) | 11am – 2pm |
| Singing of National Anthem | 12pm |
| Tea Ceremony Pavilion | 1pm |
| Lethbridge Community Taiko Association (Drumming Performance) | 2pm |
| Yukata Dressing | 3pm – 7pm |
| Garden Tour | 5pm |
| Lyndon Penner Horticultural Presentation – Provincial Tree and Flowers – Pavilion | 8pm |
| Garden Tour | 9pm |
| Lantern Decorating Azumaya | 9pm |
| Taiko Drumming Performance by LCTA and Global Drumming | 10pm |
| Canada Day Fire Works | 11pm |
| Garden Closes | 12am |
Hopefully you were able to find something on this list that tickled your Canadian fancy. Please let us know if you take any of our suggestions by hashtagging #LPCC150 in your Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram posts. We’d love to see what Canada Day fun you chose to participate in! Stay safe and best wishes to all you Canadians in Canada’s new year.
OTHER USEFUL CANADA DAY INFORMATION
Fireworks
The fireworks show is scheduled for 11pm but this is weather dependent. Any weather that puts the public at risk or creates an undesirable situation for firing fireworks may delay or cancel the show.
ATM
There will be an ATM on site at Henderson Lake. There is no ATM available at Galt Gardens; however, there are numerous bank machines available across from the park and within a few blocks.
Volunteers
Lethbridge couldn’t do all this without their many volunteers! If you’d like to help for a few hours, or for a whole event, they are always in need of people for the committee (which meets year-round but infrequently). They are also in need of volunteers for the day of to be roving ambassadors, help with passing out flags, ensuring parking rules are being followed, provide help in the kids’ area, and more! Please contact Jennie Sudo at jennie.sudo@lethbridge.ca or 403.320.3013 if you are interested in helping Lethbridge celebrate Canada’s big year.
Parking/Transportation
- Galt Gardens – parking is available anywhere downtown and is free on Canada Day.
- Take the free shuttle from Galt Gardens to Henderson Lake and back! A temporary bus stop will be located by Bank of Montreal downtown.
- Henderson Lake – parking is available at Exhibition Park with a shuttle running between the east end of Henderson Lake on Parkside Drive South, down Parkside Drive with stops at the halfway point and by Henderson Pool.
- Handicapped Parking at Henderson Lake – with a placard, vehicles can drop off at the Lake and then park at Exhibition Park.
- Canada Day Fireworks Transit Service – Shuttles run from each side of town to Henderson Lake. Full schedule and pick up/drop off locations will be available here closer to the event.
Disclaimer: The LPCC is not hosting or endorsing any of the listed events. Information may be subject to changes and/or updates that are not included in this blog post. We recommend looking online before attending any events to make sure that all the information is still accurate and the event is still taking place.