Celebrate Canada Day at home and online this year

Calgary’s Canada Day celebrations are a result of support from the Government of Canada, CBC Calgary and Tim Hortons. (Pixabay photo)

Oh Canada. Let’s get ready to celebrate at home and online.

On July 1st we invite Calgarians to watch the premiere of our virtual Canada Day concert featuring Canadian country music star and humanitarian Paul Brandt with local musicians neo-soul singer Lynn Olagundoye, Alberta roots singer-songwriter T Buckley, indie folk-rocker Chad Van Gaalen, and Metis/Cree blues-rock artist Bebe Buckskin.

“This line-up of Calgary musical talent is outstanding, and I couldn’t be more excited to listen and watch them on Canada Day,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Although this year’s celebrations will be different, we are still going to listen to great music, we can decorate our homes or yards with red and white, maybe have your own pancake breakfast with your family. Even though we will be at home, we can still celebrate together as a city and country.

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The virtual concert, which was filmed at Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre (NMC), and produced by local talent, will air on The City of Calgary’s YouTube and Facebook pages starting at 5 p.m. on Canada Day.

“The National Music Centre looks forward to Canada Day every year—not only to honour Canada’s birthday, but also to mark the anniversary of Studio Bell’s opening in 2016,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO of NMC.

“Music has played such an important role in connecting people during the pandemic. We’re thrilled to team up with The City of Calgary to bring music to people in Calgary, Canada, and beyond through this virtual presentation.

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In addition to our virtual Calgary concert, our city was selected to be included in a one-hour national show, Canada Day Across the Country, at 1 p.m. on CBC and Canadian Heritage’s social media platforms. Calgary’s five-minute segment will feature Paul Brandt, showcasing our city and sharing our national pride.

In addition to watching amazing performances, citizens are invited to celebrate at home by:

• Dressing in red and white, including wearing your favorite Calgary team jersey and painting your face
• Putting up your Christmas or outdoor lights and be sure they are on at 10 p.m. (sunset) to join the Calgary Tower in lighting up our city
• Decorating your house, yard or balcony in red and white, displaying your Canada flag, and showing off your Canada-inspired family crafts
• Having a pancake breakfast with your family and wearing your cowboy hats!
• Sharing with us by posting your at-home celebrations using #OCanadaYYC on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok and connecting across the country using #CanadaDay
• Checking out the Celebration Kit from The Government of Canada’s website Canada.ca/CanadaDay for creative and educational activities for the whole family

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year Canada Day does not include any outdoor events or activities, such as live fireworks, but we can still show our Canadian spirit as we celebrate online or at home, in our yards or balconies. We may be apart physically, but we can still celebrate together.

Calgary’s Canada Day celebrations are a result of support from the Government of Canada, CBC Calgary and Tim Hortons.

Visit Calgary.ca/CanadaDay and Canada.ca/CanadaDay for ideas and resources to celebrate at home on and online on July 1st.