What does it take to stage a special event that resonates and is authentically rooted in history and pride? Funworld consults with Grace Peacock, director of communications at Canada’s Wonderland, who details how the suburban Toronto park plans, decorates, and operates Celebration Canada.
How did Celebration Canada come about?
We developed Celebration Canada to honor everything that makes our country unique—its history, cultural diversity, natural beauty, and the adventurous spirit of its people. As Canada’s largest amusement park, we wanted to create an event that reflects this pride and brings Canadians together. It is also part of our broader events strategy to offer additional value to guests throughout the year beyond the rides and water park. We launched Celebration Canada in 2017 to align with Canada’s 150th birthday. This year, Celebration Canada runs from June 28 to July 7.
What does Celebration Canada consist of?
We provide an immersive event experience with lively Canadian entertainment, music, and activities for the whole family. Our culinary team presents a specialty menu with food and drink offerings, representing flavors from across the provinces. This year’s program also includes indigenous performances, local live music, and roaming entertainers. We present a fireworks display on Canada Day (July 1) every year. For 2024, we added a second night of fireworks on June 30.
How has the park evolved the event?
First, it’s important for Celebration Canada to be authentic when representing cultural diversity. We’ve looked to partnerships with local indigenous groups to bring in performances like the White Pine Dancers and the Smoke Trail Singers.
Second, we aim to provide an immersive festival atmosphere. We have grown our decor package for the event and offer new live shows and interactive components, such as the West Coast Lumberjacks show, roaming street performers, and activities for kids, such as axe throwing. Lastly, elevating the food and beverage experience is integral to the event’s success. In addition to offering authentic Canadian cuisine and new menus each year with items, like brisket sliders and poutine. We’ve partnered with local breweries to develop our own signature beers and ciders, like the Gold Rush Peach Cider and the Tundra Twist Mango Dragonfruit Cider, with Ernest Cider.
What works well to engage guests?
Guests respond well to new entertainment offerings annually, especially our season passholders who may have previously experienced Celebration Canada. Improving the festival vibe with photo opportunities, immersive decor, street performers, and family-friendly activities creates surprise-and-delight moments throughout the event space. Together with the stage shows, the fireworks display, and great food, Celebration Canada offers something for everyone.
How does Canada’s Wonderland balance multiple events throughout the year?
During our core spring and summer season, we focus on providing limited-time events with smaller footprints and concentrated entertainment, decor packages, and food programming to maximize the event’s impact. This creates immersion without compromising park resources while the rest of the park is in regular operation.
In addition to Celebration Canada, we are hosting a fireworks show every long weekend in 2024, KidZfest with TV characters and superheroes (July 13-28), Oktoberfest (Sept. 7-8 and 14-15), Camp Spooky (Sept. 21-Oct. 27), Halloween Haunt (Sept. 20-Oct. 27), and WinterFest (Nov. 22-Dec. 31).
We aim to continually improve the event experience with new attractions and shows, enhanced food and drink offerings, and guest interactions.
We want to keep our events fresh and growing to give guests reasons to visit year after year.
