Here's how to celebrate Canada Day in London all weekend long

Tuesday marks Canada's 158th birthday, and there are plenty of events happening throughout London to celebrate.

Free activities are planned across the city for both Londoners who want to celebrate loudly with live music and fireworks, or calmly with storytimes and museum tours.

Those planning to head outdoors may want to pack an umbrella alongside their sunscreen and water bottle as Environment Canada is forecasting a chances of showers between Sunday and Tuesday, with temperatures reaching around 30 C.

Here are some things to do in London leading up to and on Canada Day:

Celebrate early

A child feeds a lion dancer lettuce — Lion dancers take to the streets in downtown London to celebrate Canada Day in 2024. This year, lion dance performers will appear at the night market on June 30, 2025. (Submitted by London Heritage Council)

For those looking for pre-Canada Day celebrations, the London Heritage Council is hosting a downtown night market Monday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Food and drink vendors, local artisans and family-friendly activities will line Dundas Place, while street performances including Chinese lion dancers and traditional Hawaiian dancers will pop up throughout the night.

Visit downtown

Kids participating in an inflatable ring toss activity. — Kids participate in an inflatable ring toss activity at Dundas Place during 2024 Canada Day celebrations. (Isha Bhargava/CBC)

London's downtown area will be bustling with a full day of Canada Day activities Tuesday. Starting at noon, the London Heritage Council will return to Dundas Place with a variety of food vendors offering multicultural cuisine, live entertainment, and a kids zone that will include origami, temporary tattoos and a henna artist.

A new addition to this year's celebrations will be a citizenship ceremony, which will happen at 12:45 p.m. on the Dundas Place main stage.

At night, the City of London's celebrations will take place at Harris Park, featuring performances by London musicians Bella Rosa, Amanda Movio and King Cruff, followed by fireworks.

A number of roads in the downtown area will be closed for Canada Day festivities. The city is encouraging people to walk, cycle, use public transportation or park in nearby municipal parking lots. On-street parking metres will be free on Tuesday.

Check out some history lessons

Two women sing into a microphone, one hits a drum — Mary Lou Smoke and Melissa Deleary perform at Museum London's 2024 Canada Day celebrations. This year, the two will lead a smudging ceremony that will kick off the day's activities. (Angela Antonopoulos/Submitted by Museum London)

Those seeking a quieter Canada Day can check out several history-focused events around the city.

Fanshawe Pioneer Village is kicking off its celebrations at 10 a.m., launching visitors back in time to play traditional fair games, learn dances from the past and listen to heritage music.

Museum London will begin its afternoon of events at noon with a smudging ceremony, followed by storybook readings, an Indigenous Fancy Dance live performance and a hoop dance show. There will also be hands-on activities for families and short film screenings until 4 p.m.

A short walk away at Eldon House, Londoners can take a self-guided tour of the site as well as play historic lawn games and watch local performers between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Stay in your neighbourhood

Kids line up for a bouncy castle during Canada Day celebrations in London's east end in 2024. This year, there will be plenty of activities at the East Lions Community Centre including a dunk tank and free swimming. (Submitted by Argyle BIA)

Several London neighbourhoods will be celebrating Canada Day in their own way, with community-specific events all weekend long.

The Summerside neighbourhood will host its early Canada Day celebrations at Meadowgate Park Sunday evening, which will include food trucks, a bouncy castle and fireworks.

The East Lions Community Centre in east London will have a packed day of activities on July 1, both inside and outside of the facility. In addition to free swimming, a wrestling show and pickleball games, the Clarke Road Secondary School football team is hosting a dunk tank fundraiser in the afternoon. Some guests slated at the tank include Mayor Josh Morgan and London police inspectors.

Those in South London can visit White Oaks Park starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday to check out the free spray pad, inflatable rides and a family movie.

Byron residents can check out the photo booth, DJ and food trucks at the Byron Sports Complex starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Watch the fireworks

A boy enjoys the Canada Day fireworks celebration at Labatt Memorial Park in London, Ont, in 2019. The city of London is reviewing its fireworks bylaw, the options on the table include an outright ban. — A boy enjoys the Canada Day fireworks celebration at Labatt Memorial Park in London, Ont, in 2019. There will be fireworks throughout the city this July 1. (Andrew Lupton/CBC)

Fireworks will illuminate skies all around the city Tuesday night. The city is reminding Londoners who want to set off their own fireworks that they are only allowed to do so in backyards on Tuesday between sundown and 11 p.m.

For those who would rather sit back and relax, there are a number of places to view fireworks throughout the city: