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- June 25-July 2 (Durham)
June 25-July 2 (Durham)
Canada Day weekend brings 5 free celebrations with fireworks across Durham Region! From epic strawberry picking at three local farms to massive Canada Day celebrations with the largest fireworks display in Whitby, plus free community BBQs, PA Day activities, and family adventure races. Library programs, outdoor movie nights, and multicultural celebrations round out a week packed with summer fun.
In today's newsletter:
🇨🇦 6 free Canada Day celebrations with fireworks in Ajax, Whitby & Newcastle
🍓 Pick-your-own strawberries at 3 local farms across Durham
🍖 Free community BBQs & PA Day activities for families
🎬 Outdoor movie night & library summer programs
Have feedback, suggestions, or know of an event we missed? Simply reply directly to this newsletter - we read every message and love hearing from our community!
CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS
🇨🇦 Canada Day in Ajax
Tuesday, July 1 | 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Ajax Downs Racetrack, Ajax | FREE
Epic Canada Day celebration featuring live entertainment, family activities, food vendors, and spectacular fireworks! Features a dedicated Sensory Zone for patrons who need a break, plus noise-cancelling headphones available for rent on-site.
🔥 Hot Tip: Free Canada Day shuttle runs every 20 minutes from three Ajax locations - check city website for routes! Perfect for avoiding parking hassles.
🇨🇦 Canada Day in Whitby
Tuesday, July 1 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Victoria Fields Park, Whitby | FREE
Home to the largest fireworks display in Durham Region! This spectacular celebration focuses on an incredible fireworks show that's not to be missed, plus family activities and entertainment.
🔥 Hot Tip: Whitby is hosting a Home Decorating Contest - entries were due June 20th, so drive around to see decorated homes! Interactive map available on town website.
🇨🇦 Canada Day in Newcastle: Street Festival
Tuesday, July 1 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Downtown Newcastle, Newcastle | FREE
Charming downtown street festival from Baldwin to Beaver Street! After the street festival, head to Memorial Park behind the library at 8pm for pre-fireworks celebration with live music, food vendors, and fireworks finale.
🔥 Hot Tip: Two-part celebration - street festival until 6pm, then Memorial Park at 8pm for fireworks! Perfect way to make a full day of Canada Day.
🇨🇦 Cannington Canada Day Festival and Classic Car Show
Tuesday, July 1 | 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM | MacLeod Park, Cannington | FREE
Full day of Canada Day festivities featuring classic car show, live entertainment, family activities, and evening fireworks! Don't miss the Youth Crazy Hair Contest for ages 4-12 (pre-registration preferred).
🔥 Hot Tip: Youth Crazy Hair Contest for ages 4-12 - pre-registration preferred! Classic car show adds extra appeal for car-loving families.
🇨🇦 Canada Day in Clarington
Tuesday, July 1 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, Bowmanville | FREE
Community Canada Day celebration featuring live entertainment, family activities, food vendors, and fireworks in beautiful Bowmanville location.
🔥 Hot Tip: Recreation complex location provides washrooms and facilities! Great for families with young children.
🇨🇦 Canada Day in Oshawa
Tuesday, July 1 | 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Lakeview Park, Oshawa | FREE
Massive Canada Day celebration at beautiful Lakeview Park! Features Main Stage entertainment from 2-9pm (including The Penalty Box, Backstage Pass Band, The Philcos), Family Stage with Pete & Anna and Reptilia shows, Activity Zone with interactive displays, Family Zone with Paw Patrol meet & greet, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, inflatables, K9 dog shows (3pm, 5pm, 7pm), Beach Zone with steel pan drummers and volleyball tournament, food vendors, and spectacular fireworks at dusk presented by Tribute Communities.
🔥 Hot Tip: FREE shuttle every 10 minutes from Oshawa Centre starting at 1pm! Extended 6-hour Family Zone perfect for little ones (2-8pm).
STRAWBERRY PICKING SEASON
🍓 Linton's Farm Market: Pick Your Own Strawberries
Tuesday-Sunday | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (last entry) | Linton's Farm Market, Oshawa | $6-$30 depending on container size
No admission fee - everyone ages 3-93 must purchase a container to enter the patch! Features amazing kids area with corn bowling, giant sand pit, tricycle track, net maze, giant slide and more. Closed Mondays except June 23rd and 30th.
🍓 Applewood Farm and Winery: Pick Your Own Strawberries
Friday-Sunday | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Applewood Farm and Winery, Seagrave | $13 per person (ages 3+)
Includes 2L basket and 2L of pick-your-own strawberries! Admission includes Family Play Yard, giant chess set, pea gravel pit, antique tractors, and meadow stroll.
🔥 Hot Tip: Admission includes all farm activities - giant chess set and antique tractors are huge hits with kids!
🍓 Tindall Farm Market: PYO Organic Strawberries
Daily | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Tindall Farm & Market, Uxbridge | Free admission, $10 for 2L of berries
Organic strawberry picking with free farm admission! Perfect for families who prefer organic produce and want to support local sustainable farming.
🍓 Want more strawberry farms? For our full 2025 strawberry picking guide featuring 10 pick-your-own locations and 2 strawberry festivals across the GTA, with farm opening dates, rates, operating hours, locations and insider tips, check out our complete guide!
ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS
🎪 The Great Benjamins Circus: Under the Big Top!
June 27-29 | Multiple show times - see website | Orono Agricultural Society, Orono | Various ticket options
Traditional circus magic under the big top! Features death-defying acts, amazing performers, and classic circus entertainment that delights all ages. Come early to enjoy pre-show activities!
🔥 Hot Tip: Arrive early for pre-show activities! Classic big top circus experience that's becoming increasingly rare.
🎬 Whitby Movie Night - A Minecraft Movie Thursday, June 26 | 7:30 PM (movie at sundown) | Celebration Square, Whitby | FREE
Outdoor movie night featuring the new Minecraft Movie (rated PG)! Activities start at 7:30pm with movie beginning at sundown. Perfect for gaming families and kids who love Minecraft.
🔥 Hot Tip: Watch their social media @downtownwhitby for VIP seating giveaways! Activities start before the movie for extra fun.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES
🏛️ Family Adventure Day - The Amazing Museum Race
June 28-29 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Pickering Museum Village, Pickering | $31.50 (admits 2 adults + up to 3 children)
Interactive museum adventure perfect for families! Rain or shine event featuring indoor and outdoor locations. Entrance and parking at Gate 3, with last entry recommended at 2pm for full experience.
🔥 Hot Tip: Last entry at 2pm for full experience! Rain or shine event with both indoor and outdoor activities.
🐝 Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm: Haskap Berry U-Pick
Weekends starting June 28 | Friday-Sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm, Sunderland | $10/person (includes 2 containers + play area access)
Unique haskap berry picking experience! Admission includes two 170g containers of U-pick haskap berries plus access to amazing play area with pedal kart track, bowling, elastic band shooting range, giant sandbox, slides and more. Children under 2 included with adult admission.
🔥 Hot Tip: Kids play area included with admission - pedal kart track is a huge hit! Try something different from strawberries.
🏃 Step Into Summer Family Fun Fair
Sunday, June 29 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Step By Step Club, Pickering | FREE
Family fun fair with activities, games, and entertainment perfect for kicking off summer! Registration required for this popular community event.
🍖 Mayor and Council Community Barbecue (Ajax)
Saturday, June 28 | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Ajax Community Centre, Ajax | FREE
Free BBQ, drink, and ice cream while supplies last! Quantities are limited, so arrive early for this popular community event hosted by Ajax's Mayor and Council.
🔥 Hot Tip: Get there early - quantities are limited! Free BBQ, drink AND ice cream for the whole family.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
🌍 Travel the World: Celebrating Canadian Multicultural Day
Friday, June 27 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Whitby Library - Brooklin Branch | FREE
Celebrate Canada's multicultural heritage with stories, activities, and crafts from around the world! Perfect way to explore different cultures and traditions with your family. Drop-in, registration not required.
🎬 PA Day Craft and Movie: The Wizard of Oz
Friday, June 27 | 10am-12:30pm & 1:30-4pm | Ajax Public Library | FREE
Perfect PA Day activity combining crafts and the classic movie "The Wizard of Oz" (rated PG)! Two session times available to accommodate different schedules.
🔥 Hot Tip: Two session times available! Perfect PA Day activity combining creativity and classic entertainment.
🎲 Pickering Library: Puzzle Competition
Saturday, June 28 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Pickering Library - George Ashe Branch | FREE
Competitive puzzle fun for ages 8+! Registration required for this popular brain-challenging activity perfect for puzzle-loving families.
🔥 Hot Tip: Registration required for ages 8+! Great way to challenge problem-solving skills in a fun, competitive environment.
🌱 Little Sprouts: Caregiver and Tot Program - Fabulous Flowers
Sunday, June 29 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Pickering Museum Village | $16 (1 adult + 1 child)
Perfect program for caregivers with children 18 months to 4 years! June theme is "Fabulous Flowers" with hands-on activities and exploration. July features "Forest Friends" and August brings "Vibrant Veggies"!
🔥 Hot Tip: Each month has different themes! Perfect bonding activity for caregivers and toddlers in historic setting.
PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK (JULY 3-9)
🎭 The Juggling Chef: An Interactive Show
Wednesday, July 2 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Oshawa Library - Jess Hann Branch | FREE
🎉 Clarington Community Fest
Saturday, July 5 | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Durham Ultimate Fitness Club | FREE
🔬 Saturday S'mores: Super Science
Saturday, July 5 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Pickering Museum Village | $31.50 (2 adults + up to 3 children)
🪁 Kite Day at the Uxbridge Historical Centre
Saturday, July 5 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Uxbridge Historical Centre | FREE - donations appreciated
🔬 Kids in the Square: Up, Up and Away! Mad Science Experiment
Tuesday, July 8 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Pat Bayly Square | FREE
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