Thorold starts celebrating two days early. St. Catharines has split its festivities between two parks. Niagara Falls has one location for the daytime festival and another for the fireworks. Port Colborne’s finale may have to wait for a ship to clear the canal.

We checked all 12 Niagara municipalities and gathered the confirmed public celebrations, fireworks, shuttles and useful details in one place.

Event plans can change because of weather, capacity or last-minute organizer updates. Check the linked official page before leaving home.

To start before July 1: Thorold begins its three-day celebration Monday, June 29.

For a daytime family stop: Grimsby Museum, Firemen’s Park in Niagara Falls and H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park in Port Colborne all begin before noon or early afternoon.

For a parade: Pelham’s Grand Parade begins at 3 PM and leads directly into the Party in the Park at Harold Black Park.

For a free shuttle: Look at Lincoln, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and West Lincoln.

For live music into the evening: St. Catharines, Thorold, Welland, West Lincoln and Pelham all have substantial stage programming.

For fireworks: Ten municipalities have confirmed public fireworks, with Fort Erie hosting two separate displays. The complete at-a-glance list is near the end of this guide.

Fort Erie · Grimsby · Lincoln · Niagara Falls ·
Niagara-on-the-Lake · Pelham · Port Colborne ·
St. Catharines · Thorold
· Wainfleet ·
Welland · West Lincoln

Fort Erie is packing a full afternoon and evening into Ferndale Park, with enough going on to keep the lawn chairs occupied until dark.

The free community festival runs from 3–10 PM, with inflatables, food trucks, local vendors, kids’ activities, karaoke, free popcorn and face painting.

A K-Pop Demon Hunters-themed performance runs from 5:30–6 PM, followed by a photo opportunity from 6–7 PM.

The Trip takes over the live-music stage from 7–10 PM. The festival also includes sporting challenges, a licensed Brimstone beer tent and its own fireworks display at dusk.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | 3–10 PM
📍 Ferndale Park, 865 Ferndale Ave., Fort Erie
💵 Free admission and entertainment; food and drinks extra
🎆 Fireworks at dusk

Waterfront Fireworks Near Old Fort Erie

Fort Erie Festivals will launch a separate Canada Day fireworks display at 10 PM near Old Fort Erie.

Public viewing is available along the Niagara Parkway between Mather Arch and Old Fort Erie.

🕑 10 PM
📍 Niagara Parkway between Mather Arch and Old Fort Erie
💵 Free

Good to know: Lakeshore Road will close between Beatrice Street and Dominion Road beginning at 8 PM. Parking will also be prohibited on Beatrice Street.

👉 Check Fort Erie’s official event listings →

Grimsby’s celebration is the quieter daytime option: family activities, local performances and home before the region’s fireworks traffic begins stretching its legs.

The Grimsby Museum has bouncy castles, balloon twisting, a photo booth, activities hosted by community groups and stage performances. A DJ will be playing throughout the event, while the museum exhibits and gift shop will also be open.

Admission and activities are free. Food is available for purchase.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | 11 AM–3 PM
📍 Grimsby Museum, 6 Murray St., Grimsby
💵 Free admission and activities; food extra
🎆 No municipal fireworks confirmed

Good to know: With no municipal fireworks listed, this is one of the region’s more relaxed daytime choices.

👉 See the official Grimsby Museum event details →

Lincoln is settling in for a long afternoon by the lake, with a free shuttle doing some of the parking argument for you.

The Town’s annual festival includes family activities, live entertainment, food vendors and fireworks at Charles Daley Park.

Family activities run throughout the event, with button making, face painting, Niagara Splash, the Lincoln Pelham Public Library, Lincoln Fire Rescue trucks and the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre among the published attractions.

The Lincoln Concert Band opens the stage at 1:30 PM, followed by opening ceremonies at 3 PM, Beamsville Music Studio at 4 PM and Back in the Daze at 5:30 PM.

Sandy Vine and the Midnights take over at 8 PM before fireworks close the evening at 10 PM.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | 1:30–10 PM
📍 Charles Daley Park, 1969 North Service Rd., Jordan
💵 Free admission; food extra
🎆 Fireworks at 10 PM

Good to know: A free shuttle runs between Lincoln Town Hall, 4800 South Service Rd. in Beamsville, and Charles Daley Park from 1–11 PM.

👉 See Lincoln’s official Canada Day page →

Niagara Falls has divided the day neatly: Firemen’s Park for the festival, the Falls for the finale.

The free daytime celebration runs from noon–8 PM with main-stage entertainment, interactive children’s shows, food trucks, artisans, community booths, inflatables, crafts, sports activities and a climbing wall.

The kids’ area includes Mad Science, bubbles, magic, birds of prey and character programming. Mystic Highway, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute, closes the main stage from 6:30–8 PM.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | Noon–8 PM
📍 Firemen’s Park, 2275 Dorchester Rd., Niagara Falls
💵 Free admission; on-site parking by $10 donation
🎆 No fireworks at Firemen’s Park

Good to know: Free accessible shuttles are planned from the Niagara Falls Transit Downtown Hub, the Gale Centre, Main and Ferry, Canadian Drive at Niagara Square and MacBain Community Centre. Free parking is available at the shuttle stops.

👉 See the Firemen’s Park schedule and shuttle information →

After Firemen’s Park closes, the fireworks move to the tourist district.

An extended Canada Day display begins at 10 PM over the Niagara Gorge. Public viewing is available from Queen Victoria Park, the Table Rock area, Oakes Garden Theatre and other locations along the Niagara Parkway.

The Falls will also be illuminated in red and white after dark.

🕑 10 PM
📍 Best viewed from Queen Victoria Park and the Niagara Parkway
💵 Free

Good to know: The display may be cancelled because of lightning or high winds.

👉 Check the official Niagara Parks fireworks schedule →

Niagara-on-the-Lake is spreading Canada Day through Old Town before finishing the evening inside Fort George.

The Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake serves a barbecue lunch in Simcoe Park from 11:30 AM–3 PM.

At 3 PM, the Cake Parade heads down Queen Street to Simcoe Park behind the 41st Regiment Fife and Drum Corps. The Canada Day cake will then be sliced and served.

Fort George is open with free admission from 10 AM–10 PM. Visitors can tour the site, meet costumed interpreters and watch historical demonstrations throughout the day. The historic buildings close at 5 PM, but food service and outdoor programming continue into the evening.

Evening activities begin at 6:30 PM, followed by live music from the eight-piece Howling Horns from 7–10 PM.

Fireworks close the celebration at 10 PM.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | 10 AM–10 PM
📍 Simcoe Park and Fort George National Historic Site, 51 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake
💵 Free Fort George admission; food extra
🎆 Fireworks at 10 PM

Good to know: The buildings inside Fort George close at 5 PM, even though the grounds, entertainment and food service continue into the evening.

👉 See Niagara-on-the-Lake’s official Canada Day schedule →

👉 Check Friends of Fort George for Canada Day updates →
👉 See current Fort George visitor information →

Pelham’s parade does not merely pass through town. It leads directly to the party.

The day begins with a free, registration-required yoga class at 9:30 AM. At 3 PM, the Grand Parade travels along Haist Street from A.K. Wigg School to Harold Black Park.

The Party in the Park then fills the afternoon with inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, family games, food and artisan vendors.

Live music begins with the Jimmy Marando Swing Band at 3:30 PM, followed by Public House at 5:15 PM and Max Life Crisis at 6:45 PM.

The Chimps take over for the final set from 8:15–10 PM, leading directly into the fireworks.

Fireworks close the night at 10 PM.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | Main celebration 3–10 PM
📍 Harold Black Park, 953 Haist St., Fonthill
💵 Free admission and family activities; food extra
🎆 Fireworks at 10 PM

Good to know: Parking is limited to accessible spaces. Walking or cycling is strongly encouraged, and vehicles should not park along the parade route.

Pelham’s outdoor pool is under renovation, so the usual Canada Day public swim is not part of the 2026 program.

👉 See Pelham’s official Canada Day page →

Port Colborne’s plan comes in two parts: family activities near the lake during the day, then music and fireworks beside the canal at night.

The Port Colborne Optimist Club’s celebration at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park includes face painting, children’s games from 10 AM–2 PM, vendors, food, bouncy castles and pony rides.

Later, the Blackstones perform at 7:30 PM near West Street and Sugarloaf Street. Fireworks follow around 10 PM.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | Activities begin at 10 AM
📍 H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park, Sugarloaf Street, Port Colborne
💵 Free general admission; food and some attractions may cost extra
🎆 Fireworks around 10 PM

Good to know: The fireworks are subject to weather and Welland Canal traffic. In Port Colborne, even the pyrotechnics occasionally have to wait for a ship.

The organizer had not published a firm closing time for the daytime park activities when this guide was updated.

👉 See Port Colborne’s official Canada Day program →

St. Catharines is celebrating two birthdays at once: Canada Day and the city’s 150th anniversary.

Montebello Park opens at noon with a family zone, collaborative art, live painting, oversized games, a bubble zone, character visits, a strolling magician, food trucks and craft beverages.

Children’s performers begin at 12:15 PM. Strictly Hip takes the main stage at 2:15, followed later by the Lincoln and Welland Regiment Band, The Thuds, Julianna Riolino and Sully Burrows.

The Trews headline at 8:15 PM.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | Noon–10 PM
📍 Montebello Park, 64 Ontario St., St. Catharines
💵 Free admission; food and drinks extra

Good to know: A free shuttle runs approximately every 20 minutes from Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre beginning at noon. Free parking is available at Seymour-Hannah.

The site is subject to capacity limits and security checks. Pets are not permitted, except for service animals.

Drone and Fireworks Show at Rennie Park

At 10 PM, the celebration shifts to Port Dalhousie for a combined drone-and-fireworks show.

🕑 10 PM
📍 Rennie Park, 60 Lakeport Rd., St. Catharines
💵 Free

Good to know: Montebello Park and Rennie Park are separate locations. Leave enough travel time rather than attempting to turn the final Trews song into a starting pistol.

👉 Check the official STC150 Canada Day page for show updates →

Thorold looked at July 1 and decided one day was not enough.

All three days include children’s activities, food vendors and an extended licensed patio. Family entertainment is free.

The park opens from 4–10 PM with a foam party, inflatables, face painting, roaming characters and magician Scoop McCoy.

Zootopia 2 begins at dusk.

Music runs from 4–10 PM. The Brant Parker Band performs with Joel Parisien and Jay Bleus, followed by Jonesy.

The kids’ area returns with inflatables, a foam party, face painting and characters.

The main celebration runs from 1–10 PM.

The stage schedule includes Eddy Prince, Magic Mel, Orangeman, Simply Queen and Figure Four. Family activities continue throughout the afternoon and evening before fireworks at 10 PM.

📅 Monday, June 29–Wednesday, July 1
📍 Battle of Beaverdams Park, Sullivan Avenue, Thorold
💵 Free family entertainment; food and licensed-area purchases extra
🎆 Fireworks Wednesday at 10 PM

Good to know: Free parking is available in downtown Lots 2, 3 and 4A. No dedicated event shuttle had been announced when this guide was updated.

👉 See Thorold’s full three-day Canada Day schedule →

We did not find a confirmed public Canada Day celebration in the Township’s event listings, community calendar or recreation information as of June 24.

That includes searches for events in Wainfleet village and Long Beach.

We will update this section if the Township or a local organizer announces something. Until then, we would rather leave the space honest than recycle an old event with a new year attached.

👉 Check the Township of Wainfleet’s festivals and events page →

Welland is spending Canada Day where it does summer evenings especially well: beside the canal.

The celebration begins at Merritt Park with family activities, food vendors, community showcases and performances from Femme du Feu, Revolution Steelband and Starla Silvestri.

The amphitheatre program begins at 6 PM with Charissa, followed by Revolver & Friends and Vinyl Flux.

Fireworks close the evening at 10 PM.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | 2–10 PM
📍 Merritt Park and Amphitheatre, 151 King St., Welland
💵 Free admission; food and drinks extra
🎆 Fireworks at 10 PM

Good to know: Bring a lawn chair or blanket. On-site parking is limited, with additional free parking available near the Welland Farmers’ Market at 70 Young St.

Holiday transit can finish earlier than regular weekday service, so check your return trip before relying on the bus after the fireworks.

👉 See Welland’s official event page→
👉 See Concerts on the Canal information →

West Lincoln is combining a country concert, petting zoo, free shuttle and fireworks into one very Smithville afternoon.

Activities run from 3–7 PM with inflatables, lawn games, face painting, balloon twisting, a petting zoo, train rides, vendors and food.

Bumbling Bert brings a children’s magic show to the stage at 5:30 PM. Ranger performs at 6:30, Claralux at 7:30 and country artist Mitch Zorn headlines at 8:45.

Fireworks begin at 10 PM.

📅 Wednesday, July 1 | 3–10:15 PM
📍 Leisureplex Township Park, 2543 South Grimsby Rd. 6, Smithville
💵 No admission charge is listed; food and vendor purchases extra
🎆 Fireworks at 10 PM

A licensed beverage area called the Chicken Coop makes its debut this year. Visitors must be 19 or older and present valid photo identification to enter.

Dogs are welcome but must remain leashed.

Good to know: On-site parking is extremely limited. Free shuttles run every 30–45 minutes from stops in Wellandport, Smithville, Caistor Centre and the West Lincoln Community Centre. Service continues after the fireworks until guests have been returned.

👉 See West Lincoln’s complete Canada Day schedule and shuttle routes →

Fort Erie: At dusk, Ferndale Park; 10 PM, near Old Fort Erie, with viewing along the Niagara Parkway between Mather Arch and Old Fort Erie
Lincoln: 10 PM, Charles Daley Park
Niagara Falls: 10 PM, best viewed from Queen Victoria Park and the Niagara Parkway
Niagara-on-the-Lake: 10 PM, Fort George National Historic Site
Pelham: 10 PM, Harold Black Park
Port Colborne: Around 10 PM, West Street near the canal; subject to Seaway traffic
St. Catharines: 10 PM, combined drone-and-fireworks show at Rennie Park
Thorold: 10 PM, Battle of Beaverdams Park
Welland: 10 PM, Merritt Park
West Lincoln: 10 PM, Leisureplex Township Park

No municipal fireworks confirmed: Grimsby and Wainfleet

Check the official event link on July 1 before leaving. Fireworks and outdoor programming may change because of weather, wind, capacity or canal traffic.

Even when admission is free, food, drinks, licensed areas and some attractions may cost extra.

Bring your own lawn chair or blanket where organizers recommend it, and confirm holiday transit before counting on a late ride home.

Most importantly, confirm the location before leaving. Several municipalities divide their daytime events and fireworks between different parks.

Wherever you spend July 1, have a safe and happy Canada Day, neighbour.

🍇 The Grapevine Team

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