How to Throw a Canada Day Party That Will Be the Talk of the Lake
Canada Day is about more than fireworks, it's about bringing people together. Whether you're hosting the whole neighbourhood or just a few friends, a little planning can turn an ordinary backyard gathering into the party everyone remembers.
From signature Canadian cocktails and coast-to-coast-to-coast snack boards to lawn games, local music, sunset s'mores, and uniquely Canadian trivia, these simple ideas will help you create a celebration that's relaxed, memorable, and unmistakably Canadian. So fire up the barbecue, embrace the long summer evening, and make this Canada Day one to remember.
So you want to be the neighbour who somehow has the best Canada Day party every year?
We got you.
1. Create a Signature Drink
Station Ideas:
East Coast Spritzer Bar
Caesar Station
Canadian Craft Beer Flight
Sparkling Water Tasting Station
Build-Your-Own Mocktail Bar
Canadian brand inspiration includes:
Dillon's
Cottage Springs
Collective Arts
Sapsucker
Cove
2. Create a Canadian Snack Table
Create a Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast Snack Board.
East Coast
Covered Bridge Chips
Saltwater taffy
Seafood
Quebec
Maple treats
Cheese
Ontario
Kawartha Dairy
Butter Tarts
Prairies
Beef jerky
Bannock bread
West Coast
Smoked salmon snacks
Sushi
3. Lawn Games Tournament
People love competition. It doesn’t matter what the prize is. Actually, the more ridiculous the better!
Create a bracket and run some games:
Cornhole
Bocce
Washer toss
Ladder toss
4. Build a Fireworks Alternative
Seriously, don’t end up in emerge with a missing digit.
Giant sparklers
Glow sticks
Outdoor movie
Fire pit
5. Create a Canadian Playlist
Make sure to include:
The Tragically Hip
Loud Luxury
Justin Bieber
Blue Rodeo
Alanis Morissette
Arkells
The Beaches
Charlotte Cardin
TALK
Shania Twain
Nickelback (if you dare…)
Carly Rae Jepsen
6. Have a Sunset Moment
This is usually what people remember.
Bring out the dessert or s’more kits
Turn down the music (or turn it up, depending on the party)
Pull out the sparklers
Crack open another round of drinks
7. Something Unexpected
O Canada Trivia
Make sure to have questions about:
Canadian inventions (there are lots…)
Weird laws (also, lots…)
Canadian snacks (check out our Summer Shop for some inspo!)
Hockey (because, duh)
Keepsake Jewelry
Nothing marks a special occasion like custom, keepsake jewelry and nothing says ‘Oh Canada’ like supporting a local maker.
Open Fire Jewellery is a local Ottawa small business making meaningful tokens to represent who and what you value most in life. From birthstone and initial charms to impression kits allowing you to capture unique fingerprints & paw prints cast in gold or sterling silver, these are memory-makers you won’t want to pass up!
You can save with code BTN15 at checkout!
Have a ton of fun, stay safe, and enjoy the celebrations, Canada!