Celebrate Canada Day in Lanark County with music, fireworks and more

Grab your lawn chairs, sunscreen, and red and white clothing because Lanark County is welcoming the summer vibes this Canada Day with riverside celebrations, live music, family activities and a grand fireworks show.

Here’s a look at a few events happening in the region on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Carleton Place

The Town of Carleton Place is rolling out a full day of festivities on Tuesday, July 1, inviting residents and visitors to kick off Canada’s birthday at the riverside party, which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. This daytime celebration will keep the energy high until the fireworks light up the night sky over the St. Lawrence River at 9:45 p.m.

There will be live music lineup to showcase local talent throughout the day, starting with the Carleton Place & District Community Band at 1 p.m., followed by performances from Tommy Tonic (2:15 p.m.), Lanark County Revival (3:45 p.m.), The Rembros (5:15 p.m.), The Bowes Brothers (6:45 p.m.), Small Town Socials (8:15 p.m.)

Parents will find plenty of activities to keep the kids busy between 1:00 to 7:00 pm with inflatable toys, crafts, play zones, and buskers. Parrot Partners Meet & Greet will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., offering visitors a unique chance to interact with colourful feathered friends. Meanwhile, the Games On A Truck attraction will be taking place from 6 to 9 p.m.

Beach-goers looking to stay cool can make the most of Riverside Beach, which will be supervised by lifeguards all day from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The adjacent splash pad and washrooms will be open until 10:30 p.m.

Food and refreshment vendors will be on site from noon to 10 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring cash, as not all vendors may accept card payments.

Smiths Falls

Smiths Falls is ready to celebrate Canada Day with a packed day of family activities, live music, and fireworks at Lower Reach Park. The jam-packed day of events start at 11 a.m. with the opening of the market, food vendors, and the Smiths Falls Police and Crimestoppers Bike Parade at 11:30 a.m.

Canada Day speeches will be presented at noon, followed by DJ Johnny Five keeping the musical vibes alive from noon to 4 p.m. Your kids will be entertained all day with large inflatables, games, and face painting throughout the afternoon.

The Kinsmen Pavilion’s beer tent and food service will be available from noon to 9:30 p.m.

Strolling magician Steve Gabriel will perform magic from 1 to 3 p.m., then take the main stage at 4 p.m. for a comedy magic show. The Spring Action Trampoline Troupe will also perform from 2 to 2:40 p.m.

The band Abandon Eden will take the stage from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the Starfire Band from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The day wraps up with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

For the full schedule, visit smithsfalls.ca.

Mississippi Mills

The town of Almonte has a fun Canada Day planned from a giant beach volleyball and live music to flag football and a fireworks display at dusk. The community celebration kicks off at 3 p.m at Gemmill Park at 182 Bridge Street with a full afternoon and evening of entertainment, games, and delicious local food.

Kids (and kids at heart) can enjoy bouncy castles, face painting by the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre, custom t-shirts from JB Arts, and more. The organized sports games begin at 3:30 p.m. with giant beach volleyball, followed by a lively round of soccer baseball at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., parents can take on their own kids in a friendly (but competitive) game of flag football.

The opening Ceremonies will start at 6 p.m, leading into an long lineup of local and regional musical performers including Pareidolia, Sommerset Quartet, Amber Humby, The Sadies, and others.

Pakenham

The village of Pakenham is kicking off Canada Day a little early this year with a Canada Day Eve celebration on Monday, June 30, 2025, filled with family activities, live music, and a fireworks display at the Stewart Community Centre, 112 MacFarlane Street.

The gathering will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a sizzling BBQ at 6 p.m., the fun will really start with a variety of child-friendly activities like bouncy castles, face painting, custom t-shirt making, and bubbles.

The Canada Day Parade is set to roll out at 7 p.m.,with floats departing from the Stewart Community Centre. The Pakenham & District Civitan Club will be collecting non-perishable food items along the parade route in support of the Lanark County Hunger Stop.

Following the parade, the celebration continues inside the Stewart Community Centre arena with live entertainment from Chris & Mike Ryan and friends starting at 8 p.m, followed by a fireworks display at dusk.

But the celebrations don’t stop there. On the morning of July 1, the Pakenham Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast will be served at the Pakenham Firehall at at 10 a.m.