This Canada Day marks a celebration of the country’s 157th birthday. Dozens of free events are planned across London. Still, there are some closures to watch out for.
Free festivities are happening in every corner of the city
CBC News ·
A boy enjoys the Canada Day fireworks celebration at Labatt Memorial Park in London, Ont. (Andrew Lupton/CBC)
This Canada Day marks a celebration of the country’s 157th birthday. It’s the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which took place on July 1, 1867.
Dozens of free events are planned across London. Here are some closures to watch out for on Monday, July 1.
As of Saturday, Environment Canada forecasts plenty of sunshine for Monday with a high of 24 C.
Restaurants and shopping
White Oaks Mall, CF Masonville Place, and Westmount Shopping Centre will all be closed Monday.
Most grocery stores and pharmacies are closed Monday, but shoppers can call individual locations to find out specific store hours.
A number of Beer Store outlets will be open Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., including in London at 1600 Dundas St. E., 414 Wharncliffe Rd. S., 1199 Oxford St. W., and 1080 Adelaide St. N. In Woodstock, the 911 Dundas St. Beer Store will be open.
All LCBO stores will be closed Monday, however the retailer announced last week it is extending hours at all locations from June 27 to July 4 because of a potential strike on July 5.
Public transit
London transit will operate on a holiday service level on Monday.
Dundas Street between Ridout and Richmond Streets will be closed on Sunday and Monday for festivities, with the closure extending to Wellington Street on Monday.
Talbot Street between King and Carling Streets will be closed for festivities as well.
To accommodate the fireworks display at Harris Park, the following closures will be in place from 8 to 11 p.m., on Monday:
Queens Avenue from Ridout Street North to Riverside Drive and Wharncliffe Road North
Ridout Street North from Fullarton Street to King Street
Thames Street from Dundas Street to Harris Park Gate
Queens Bridge and Kensington Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 8 p.m. Pedestrians can use Queens Bridge until 9 p.m.
Government facilities
All banks and City administrative offices are closed on Monday, including City Hall, Citi Plaza, all Ontario Works offices and the Provincial Offences Administrative Office.
London Police’s collision reporting centre will be closed Monday. Regular hours will resume Tuesday.
Where to catch the fireworks
London’s premier fireworks show, organized by the city, will take place at Harris Park at 10 p.m. on Monday.
If you’re looking to stay close to home, here are some planned neighbourhood firework shows in London, all of which include pre-firework festivities like bouncy castles and barbecues.
East Lions Community Centre (1731 Churchill Ave.) at 10 p.m.
White Oaks Park (1119 Jalna Blvd.) at 10 p.m.
Meadowgate Park (1165 Darnley Blvd.) at 10 p.m.
Byron Optimist Sports Complex (35 Optimist Park Dr.) at dusk.
Other things to do
Free recreation activities are available at a number of community centres and parks before their fireworks shows start including pickeball, swimming, rollerskating and volleyball.
There’s free on-street parking downtown on Monday.
There’s a Canada Day night market planned on Dundas Place on Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. On Canada Day, the festivities continue on Dundas with vendors, live entertainment, and more from 12 to 11 p.m.
All City splash pads will be open, operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m, except for the Ivey Park splash pad, which will close at 6 p.m.
If history and art is up your alley, Museum London, Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Eldon House, 1st Hussars Museum and the RCR Museum are all hosting Canada Day programming.
The London Majors are playing at Labatt Park on Monday at 6:05 p.m.
Backyard fireworks will be permitted only on July 1 but only between sundown and 11 p.m.
