VICTORIA DAY | Victoria Day Canada Weekend Events

Mayor Mel Lastman's "Toronto: You Belong Here" Task Force today announced details of the special events that will take place across the Greater Toronto Area during the upcoming Victoria Day weekend. From Friday, May 16 through Monday, May 19, the City will roll out the red carpet for a four-day celebration that includes festivals, fairs and workshops, as well as free music concerts and fireworks displays each night. Local attractions and merchants will offer special discount promotions.

The highlight of the City's program is the series of fireworks parties that will take place in each district of the city from Saturday through Monday night. Each event will feature free live music by Canadian artists - ranging from Celtic Juno winner Natalie MacMaster to rocker Ronnie Hawkins, the Calypso rhythms of David Rudder and classical quartet Quartetto Gelato - followed by a spectacular fireworks display after dusk.

Fireworks Party Schedule:

Saturday, May 17
North - Mel Lastman Square
Live performances by Quartetto Gelato, Jane Bunnett and Robert Michaels. Yonge St. and Sheppard Ave. (3 blocks North of Sheppard, west side) 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday, May 18
East - Albert Campbell Square/Scarborough Town Centre
Live Calypso, Cuban and Salsa performances by David Rudder, Evaristo Machado and Orchestra, Juan Miguel and his Orchestra McCowan and Ellesmere (N/W corner of McCowan and Ellesmere). 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday, May 18
West - Centennial Park
Live performances by Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks, The Skydiggers and the Good Brothers. Renforth Dr. and Rathburn Rd. (West of Renforth, North of Rathburn). 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Monday, May 19
South - Ashbridge's Bay Park
Live performances by Natalie MacMaster and Wave. Coxwell Ave. and Lakeshore Blvd. E. (S/E corner of Coxwell & Lakeshore). 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Other Victoria Day weekend events include:

Saturday, May 17

Contact Photography Festival
The largest photography event in North America, the festival boasts over 400 local, national, and international artists and photographers, exhibited at over 150 indoor and outdoor venues across Toronto. May 1 to 31. 416-539-9595. www.contactphoto.com

East End Environment Day
At the Rozell Road entrance to Adams Park. From Hwy. 401, take Port Union Road south, turn right on Rozell Road and follow Rozell to the park entrance. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Guyana Festival
Celebrating Guyana's Independence with entertainment, food, tourism and heritage displays, arts and crafts, dominoes, softball, cricket and more. L'Amoureux Community Centre, McNicoll and Kennedy. Saturday: Noon to 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 416-494-6040.

InsideOut (Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival)
The biggest lesbian and gay film festival in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. Various locations. May 15 to 25. 416-925-XTRA ext. 2229. www.insideout.on.ca

Spring Fair
Sheep shearing, traditional games and more. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults $10; Youth/Srs.$9; Child $6. Black Creek Pioneer Village, Jane and Steeles. 416-736-1733.

Toronto Police Week Open House
Come see what goes on behind the scenes at the police station, and meet Councillor Milczyn. 22 Division Sub-station, 791 Islington Avenue. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Native Centre of Toronto Youth Pow-Wow
Experience top native youth drummers and dancers from across Canada, Saturday and Sunday at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, 16 Spadina Rd. (Spadina and Bloor). 416-964-9087, ext. 308.

Sunday, May 18

Fort York Walking Tour
Explore the Garrison reserve and Niagara Street neighbourhood. 2 p.m. Free admission. Fort York, Garrison (off Fleet). 416-392-6907.

Heritage Toronto - "Old Town Anniversaries"
Starts at St. Lawrence Hall and ends at King Edward Hotel. 1:30 p.m. Free admission; no reservation required. 416-338-3886. www.heritagetoronto.org

International Children's Festival
Storytelling, theatre, music, comedy, multi-media, workshops and more. Festival runs until May 25. Admission price ranges from $8 to $25. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen's Quay W. 416-973-4000. www.harbourfront.on.ca/milk

Victorian Cream Tea
Enjoy a cup of traditional English tea and scrumptious scones with decadent devon cream. Discover little known facts about Queen Victoria. There will also be games, toys, lore and more from the period. Noon to 4 p.m. Pay-as-you-can. $3 for tea and scone. Scarborough Historical Museum, 1007 Brimley. 416-338-8807.

Monday, May 19

29th Annual Victoria Day Festival at Montgomery's Inn
Celebrate the birth of Queen Victoria with an afternoon of fun at the Inn. Organic gardening clinics, Victorian dance workshops and demonstrations with a historical dance specialist. Don't miss the visit from Queen Victoria. Treat yourself royally and enjoy the special historical menu in the Tea Room. 4709 Dundas St. W, Etobicoke. 1 to 5 p.m. 416-394-8113.

Fiddler's Contest
Fiddlers from across Ontario compete. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults $10; Youth/Srs. $9; Child $6. Black Creek Pioneer Village, Jane and Steeles. 416-736-1733.

Queen Victoria's Birthday
Sweet treats to taste in the historic kitchen, old-fashioned toys to play with and lots of hands-on activities in the Discovery Gallery. Noon to 5 p.m. Adults $2.75; Youth/Srs. $2.25; Child $1.75. Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge. 416-395-7432.

Victoria Day at Fort York
Discover an important chapter in Toronto's history and enjoy special activities for families, including tours and hearth cooking in the historic kitchen. Adults: $5; Seniors & Youths: $3.25; Children: $3. Fort York, Garrison (off Fleet). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 416-392-6907.

Victoria Day Canada Events