Canada Day Party Ideas to Celebrate this Summer

As one of the most important days in the Canadian calendar, you'll no doubt be planning something big this Canada Day. But what exactly is Canada Day and when is it celebrated?

July 1^st marks the anniversary of when Canada first started to become independent from the United Kingdom. It's the day when Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were brought together as a single dominion — hence the holiday's original name, 'Dominion Day'. Today, the event is known as Canada Day and is celebrated much in the same way as Independence Day in the US.

If you're looking for Canada Day party ideas, we've got you covered. Whether you'll be hosting an intimate backyard BBQ or a fun-filled block party, we'll be offering up our top tips to inspire you, so you can host an unforgettable event for your nearest and dearest this summer. We'll cover everything you need to create the perfect party, including:

• How to celebrate Canada Day
• Canada Day decoration ideas
• Canada Day food
• Canada Day drinks

How to celebrate Canada Day

With Canada Day taking place at the beginning of July, there's a good chance that the weather will hold out for the weekend. So, if you're wondering how to celebrate Canada Day, why not take it outdoors? There are a few different ways you can mark the occasion.

BBQ

There's no better way to celebrate Canada's birthday than with a good old-fashioned BBQ. Grill up some burgers, hot dogs, ribs, vegetable kabobs, and corn, and don't forget some tasty BBQ sides. Salads make the perfect accompaniment to BBQ food, and we have lots of fresh summer salad recipes you could try for your Canada Day BBQ. You can also take a look at our BBQ ideas for even more inspiration, and our Canada Day food ideas below.

Block party

The whole country will be out celebrating Canada Day, so why not open up your party to the whole block? You can invite your neighbors by posting handwritten invitations through their doors or sending a message on your local neighborhood network.

While you will need a permit to close your street for the party, which can take time, you can host the event across a few neighboring properties and their gardens. For drinks and snacks, set up some folding tables and add red and white tablecloths or old sheets to decorate.

To add an extra exciting edge to your block party, you can host a decorating competition with a prize for the house with the best Canada Day-themed decorations.

Picnic

Canada Day is the perfect time to get out of the house and experience all this beautiful country has to offer. Instead of hosting a party at home, you can take your party to your local park, beach, or national park. Simply pack some Canada Day dishes, drinks, and some tableware and head out into nature. Our picnic ideas will give you plenty of food inspiration for your Canada Day picnic, plus tips on how to pack the perfect picnic basket and keep your food fresh.

Buffet

If the weather isn't bright enough for an outdoor gathering, you can easily bring the celebrations inside by hosting a Canada Day buffet. Put up your Canada Day decorations around your home, set the table, and serve up whatever party food you have planned. You can cook BBQ foods in your oven or over your stove instead, while picnic foods can be laid out on serving platters and in serving bowls. 

Another idea is to transform your Canada Day buffet into a potluck by asking guests to bring their own specialty dish, favorite Canadian dish, or a dish inspired by a specific province in Canada. Not only does this allow everyone to get involved with the preparation, but you may just discover a new recipe to add to your repertoire.

Canada Day decoration ideas

No matter where you're hosting your event, decorating can help set the tone for your space and get everyone in the mood to party! As Canada Day is all about celebrating Canada, a patriotic theme usually works best. You can do this by adding subtle hints of red to your table settings or by going all out and decorating with Canadian flags.

Tableware

As you'll no doubt be serving food, you can make your table settings part of your décor. If you're planning on setting up a buffet table or having a sit-down meal with close friends and family, red and white table décor can add an understated and sophisticated nod to the Canadian flag. Neutral tableware is a classic style that works for every occasion and can be dressed up with other pops of color such as a red tablecloth or table runner, red napkins, and other decorative elements such as flowers.

Napkins

Napkins won't just help keep your guests clean (especially at a BBQ) but they can also serve as decorations themselves. If you invest in cloth varieties, you can cut down on waste and reuse your napkins every Canada Day.

If you're looking for a fun project, why not make your own cloth napkins for Canada Day? Our summer styling tips include handy step-by-step instructions for making your own napkins from leftover material or fabric scraps.

Red and white gingham prints work especially well for Canada Day, helping to add an outdoorsy touch to backyard BBQs, block parties, and picnics, but you can also opt for any other red and white pattern or a simple red fabric.

Bouquets

Flowers can add a simple but effective decorative touch to any table setting and can make a beautiful addition to your Canadian Day party décor, whether it's on your buffet table or dinner table. For a Canadian-themed bouquet, stick to red and white flowers such as red and white roses, tulips, or lilies. Some other red and white flowers that can look particularly striking in a Canada Day bouquet include:

Red: Amaryllis, anemones, cardinal flowers, carnations, chrysanthemums, cosmos, poppies

White: Baby's breath, daisies, jasmine, myrtle, spider mums, white alstroemeria, white stock

Alternatively, you can make your own bouquet containing the official flower of your Canadian province:

Alongside flowers, you can incorporate a few touches of seasonal greenery to add extra interest to your Canada Day bouquets. Laurel and hazel both offer lush green leaves in spring and summer that are perfect for flower arranging.

Serve your red and white blooms in a white vase or tall jug to complete the look. You can also make smaller versions of your bouquet centerpieces in mason jars or miniature glass vases, dotting them around your food table for a delicate summer touch.

Bunting and banners

If you're celebrating outdoors or even inside your home, putting up bunting and banners is an easy way to inject a touch of party spirit into your space. Look for bunting made from Canadian flags or maple leaves, or craft your own DIY versions out of construction paper if you're feeling creative. To add even more sparkle and fun, swap the string for string lights to brighten up your décor. This will look especially effective as the night draws in.

Canada Day food

With your event almost organized, it's time to turn your attention to the food. This is a time to celebrate all things Canadian and this country has a whole host of delicious delicacies that can take center stage at your party. Below are just some Canada Day food ideas to inspire your menu.

Poutine

A classic Canadian dish, poutine is always a crowd pleaser, so why not take it to the next level by hosting a poutine bar at your Canada Day party. Serve up bowls of fries, cheese, and gravy, along with other toppings and condiments, and allow guests to build their own poutine. Some topping ideas include bacon bits, fried mushrooms, caramelized onions, chopped chili peppers, scallions, or any meat from your BBQ. You could also offer sweet potato fries as an alternative, plus a selection of cheeses, such as mozzarella, blue cheese, and vegan cheese.

Beaver tails

What Canadian doesn't love a beaver tail? These sweet and airy pastries will make ideal Canada Day desserts. Again, you can lay out bowls of various toppings like fruit, chocolate hazelnut spread, nuts, crushed cookies, and maple syrup, and let guests build their own.

Waffles and pancakes

No Canada Day party would be complete without the nation's icon: maple syrup. Let this sweet delicacy be the star of the show by serving up plates of pancakes and waffles along with other toppings such as bacon, berries, and banana slices (or any other topping you like). For an extra Canadian touch, you can follow our red velvet pancake recipe to give your desserts a patriotic spin.

Butter tarts

Last but certainly not least, no Canadian buffet would be complete without butter tarts. Whether you choose to make them yourself or opt for store-bought, you can display these sweet treats either warm or cold on a large rectangular serving platter. 

Canada Day drinks

Don't forget to add some fresh summer drinks to your Canada Day menu. We've listed both soft and alcoholic Canada Day drinks below, so you're bound to find a few options to please the crowd. Whatever you choose to serve, make sure you have plenty of stunning glassware so you can toast to the nation in style.

Soft drinks

Strawberries and raspberries will add a natural red hue to your refreshments, so consider making a batch of strawberry lemonade or adding berries to a pitcher of ice-cold water. Our summer cordial punch uses grenadine to get its deep red color, along with elderflower cordial, lemon juice, and lemonade, to create a light and refreshing sip that both kids and adults will love.

If your guests need a little pick-me-up after dinner, then a classic double-double will do the trick. Serve up some freshly brewed coffee in cups or mugs and add two shots of cream and two shots of sugar, a la Canada's favorite coffee chain.

Alcoholic drinks

Of course, we couldn’t mention Canada Day drinks without a classic Caesar cocktail. For this famous Canadian drink, line the rim of a highball glass with celery salt and fill it with ice. Add 8 fl oz of clamato juice to the glass along with a shot of vodka, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of hot sauce. Stir and garnish with a celery stick and a wedge of lime. You can also add a teaspoon of horseradish if you like your Caesar a little spicy.

If a Caesar isn't quite your thing, you can serve up other red cocktails like strawberry daiquiris or mojitos if you prefer something sweet. 

Celebrate in style this July 1^st with these Canada Day party ideas. From classic Canadian food to red and white décor inspiration, this guide should have you well on your way to hosting a celebration to impress.

If you're in need of some new tableware for your event, take a look at our range of entertaining and occasion sets, which include everything you need to cater to a crowd. Each Denby range is versatile and incredibly durable, which means you'll be using your Denby for many celebrations to come.