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Canada 2017

53 arts & culture events and activities happening for Canada 150

New Year's is over and Canada Day is month's away — but that doesn’t mean you can’t be excited for the Sesquicentennial all year.

The party is getting arty!

Canada 2017 ·
Mosaïcultures on display at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau. (CBC )

This is just a small taste of celebrations planned for Canada 150. To make the most of your year, check out this list of 150 ways to get in on Canada's 150th.

1. 150 Apologies: The Student Unity Project is collecting 150 video apologies that will be featured across the organization's social platforms. The campaign will give people the chance to right a wrong from their past, while giving younger people examples of how to proceed after making a mistake.

2. 150 Pointes of Canada: The National Ballet of Canada is taking 150 pointe shoes to landmarks in every province and territory. Participants will photograph the pointe shoes on location to be shared on social media and be used to populate an interactive map. 

150 Pointes hopes to build connection between the National Ballet of Canada and individuals across the country who love dance.​ (Matt Rourke/The Associated Press)

3. 150 Reasons We Love Canada: VIBE Arts is collecting "150 Reasons I Love Canada" from children and youth across the country for an online gallery. The reasons will also be transformed from the digital display into 60 murals to be installed in Toronto subway stations for 8-weeks in the summer. This initiative hopes to inspire marginalized youth across the country.

4. 150 Stories: The Canadian Race Relation Foundation is collecting 150 stories over 150 weeks. This project started in January 2015 and will explore Canada's history, traditions and values from various point of views. Submission continue until March 1, 2017.

5. 150 Years Young: Photos and stories that illustrate how millennials make a difference will be posted online and projected on buildings in 5 different cities as part of Street Talks events. This campaign hopes to acknowledge and highlight millennials' diverse contributions, while mobilizing their potential.

6. 2017 Canadian Videogame Awards: Gamers from across the country will descend on Ottawa in November 2017 for the national championship. Buildings across the city will have projections of semi-final and final matches to commemorate the event. (Ottawa)

7. Agri 150: Twenty one-day outdoor events including wine tours, rural fairs and cycling tours will showcase Ottawa's rural beauty. Stewarded by Just Food, these events will take place throughout the year in West Carleton-March, Stittsville, Cumberland, Osgoode and Rideau Goulbourn. (Ottawa)

8. ART EXPRESS'D: The Winnipeg Art Gallery is sending three mobile art studios made from 20-foot metal shipping containers to 15 cities across Canada from June to the end of August. Each studio will be a place where the public can create art about their vision of Canada.

9. Artfest Kingston: Ontario's Artfest Kingston is having a free three-day festival leading up to Canada Day. There will be hands-on family friendly activities, an 80-foot word art chalkboard and an eight-foot high circular birthday cake art installation. (Kingston, Ont.)

10. Becoming Canadian in Toronto — Snapshots Through Time: From the War of 1812 to the current social climate, this showcase is exploring the changing demographics of Toronto and how those shifts shaped the country's collective identity. (Toronto)

11. Big Quilt Bee: Quilt Canada is aiming to donate 1,000 quilts to Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada. Currently, they are looking for volunteers to make quilt tops and 12 ½'' slabs using Canadian fabrics. From June 14 to 17, the Big Quit Bee will take place in Toronto, where quilters will congregate to finish the quilts. Here are some the quilts that have been made so far: 

12. Campfire150: This initiative is creating an online community to share stories, songs, videos, and ideas about the future of Canada. The collected material, sent in by Canadians across the country, will be used to make one vision of the future, which will be revealed on Canada Day

13. Canada 150 Mural Mosaic: The Mural Mosaic team is making over 80,000 paintings and 150 individual murals across Canada to act as a visual time capsule to inspire future generations. You can follow the progress of the murals on their website.

14. Canada on Screen: TIFF and its partners are restoring and screening 150 seminal Canadian films, television shows, commercials, music videos and installations as a celebration of our shared history. Canada on Screen will also include a virtual reality project where six Indigenous filmmakers and artists are asked to look 150 years into the future. (Toronto)

15. Canadian Arctic Aviation Tour 2017: The CAAT is celebrating the history of Northern Canada and the future of Canada's Arctic by staging air and land shows for northern communities. Both "wheels up" and "wheels down" shows will showcase the places, people and achievements that shaped the country. (Northern Canada)

16. The Canadian Icons Project: This initiative is interviewing 150 Canadian icons for a book, short film profiles and interactive exhibits. The interviews will also be used to make a multi-media arts archive, documenting the best of the country for future generations.

17. Canadian Identities / Canadian Stories: On October 5, ARTSIDEOUT is hosting an arts festival exploring the intricacies of Canadian identities in both historical and contemporary contexts. (Toronto)

18. CIBC C-150 Party: On Canada Day, Canadian food, live music and theatrical performances will be experienced at Ottawa's Shaw Centre, with more surprises taking place after the fireworks. (Ottawa)

19. Citizenship and Reaffirmation Ceremony: Fort York National Historic Site and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship are hosting a special Canada 150 citizenship and reaffirmation ceremony. (Toronto)

20. Coast to Coast Classic and Vintage Tour: In August, 125 classic and vintage cars will drive from Victoria B.C. to St John's N.W.T., stopping along the way to explore the country's various landscapes and teach people about the history of transportation in Canada.

21. Digital Virtual Museum: Throughout 2017, Dadavan Systems is building a national interactive museum to share the story of Canada. They are looking to use the knowledge, pictures and videos of Canadians to build the sections of the digital museum.

22. Explore150: This youth led initiative is collecting stories of Canadian history and culture, exploring where Canada's past, present and future intersect. Through the app and online, people can discover how their own story fits into Canada's.

23. Face Off Canada: A series of mask making events is asking Canadians to investigate who they are. The initiative is aiming to foster inclusion, understanding and diversity through creativity.

24. Here's My Canada: This nationwide contest is inviting Canadians to express what Canada means to them in a 30-second videos. The contest hopes to create a living record of Canadian sentiment and foster a greater understanding of what it means to a part of this nation. Here is one of the many videos already in:

25. Ice on Whyte Festival: On the weekends of January 26 and February 5, Alberta's Ice on Whyte Festival will celebrate winter with outdoor play on slides, live music, food, beverages, an International Ice Carving Competition and Canada 150 specific presentations. (Edmonton)

26. Ignite 150: This campaign will feature a series of stunts and happenings in unusual places around Ottawa. Important elements of Ignite 150 will only be revealed days before each event via social (Ottawa)

27. Innovation 150 Digital Storybook: This online, user-generated storybook will honour Canadian creativity and imagination from before Confederation to present day. The aim is to connect Canada through story and inspire future science and technology innovations.

28. Inspiration Village: Built out of shipping containers, this village will be a hub for exhibits and performance showcasing Canada's many regions. Located in Ottawa's ByWard Market, it will be the site of a many initiatives throughout the year. (Ottawa)

29. Interprovincial Picnic on the Bridge: On July 2, people from both sides of the Ottawa River will meet in the middle to break bread. The Royal Alexandra Bridge will be turned into a green park-like area where families can relax and enjoy the live entertainment and stunning view. (Ottawa)

30. Kontinuum: This multimedia underground experience, created by Moment Factory, takes place in a future Light Rail Transit station. The experience will run for 10 weeks, highlighting this ambitious infrastructure project. (Ottawa)

31. La Machine: Know for it's large-scale machines, this urban spectacle will take over downtown Ottawa from July 26 to 30. (Ottawa)

32. LandMarks 2017: A team of nationally acclaimed curators are leading established artists, art students and local communities in creating collaborative works inspired by nature to take place in or close to Canada's national parks. Through the art projects, LandMarks2017 aims to reflect on our collective histories, while starting a conversation about our shared futures.

33. Lieutenant Governor's Visionaries Prize: This contest is asking Ontario residents over 18 to write essays or make videos discussing the challenges Ontario will have in the next 50 years. The winners will have the opportunity to talk to change makers about their ideas. (Ontario)

34. Magnificence of Chaudière Falls: In the fall, the Chaudière Falls will be a part of an artistic light and sound display to honor the Algonquin heritage of the region. This experience will be accompanied by interpretation panels, which will tell Indigenous stories. (Ottawa)

35. MosaiCanada: Ottawa is hosting the biggest horticultural event in Canada. Forty magnificent plant sculptures that reflect 150 years of history, values, culture and arts in Canada will line Jacques-Cartier Park. The free exhibit runs from July 1 - October 15. (Ottawa)

36. Movie Nights Across Canada: This cross-country tour is a great opportunity to discover and re-discover Canadian film. Throughout 2017, there will be screenings of some of the most iconic homegrown movies, shining a spotlight on the artists who tell our most unique stories. 

37. My City My Six (MCM6): From May to October, Cultural Hotspot is running a public art project asking Torontonians to share their story in six words. Submissions will culminate in a public exhibition, showing the breadth of life in the city. (Toronto)

38. National Aboriginal Day: On June 21, 2017, the experiences of the First Nations and Métis during the War of 1812 will be commemorated with artistic performances, including the reading of literary works, dance, music and a sunset ceremony. (Toronto)

39. National Canadian Film Day 150: REEL Canada is presenting a massive one-day celebration of Canadian cinema. On April 19, classic Canadian movies will be broadcast, posted online and shown at more than 600 screenings across the country.

The 1985 Anne of Green Gables miniseries is one of the selections playing for National Canadian Film Day. 

40. Neighbourhood Arts 150: Art's Ottawa East is letting professional artists lead local residents in community centred art projects in ten neighbourhoods. The project will celebrate what it means to be Canadian while making space for community building. (Ottawa)

41. Nuit Blanche Toronto: On September 30, Toronto will host a citywide night-long art event. For 2017, the exhibitions will focus on Canada's history, exploring themes of identity like migration, settlement, power and privilege. (Toronto)

42. Ottawa Welcomes the World: Canada's capital is greeting embassies and high commissions with open arms at the Aberdeen Pavilion and the Horticulture Building in 2017. A series of cultural events including food tastings and musical performances are planned throughout the year to strengthen relationship between nations and foster a multicultural atmosphere. (Ottawa)

43. Our Stories: A Celebration of New Canadians: In collaboration with artist Jim Bravo, Our Stories is creating a new mural on one of the walls of the Ralph Chiodo Family Immigrant Reception Centre. This mural will be a backdrop for recreational activities for Canada 150. (Toronto)

44. Passport 2017: Launching in January, this online and mobile app will give the user a personalized list of sesquicentennial events and stories all year long. It will also track the user's journey, giving virtual badges for experiences.

45. Red Couch Tour: ELPIO Production is sending a red couch across the nation and inviting Canadians to sit down to talk about what Canada means to them in 2017. These testimonials will then be put together in a video reflecting the thoughts of communities.

Ela Kinowska and Peter Sobierajski will be taking this red couch on a nationwide tour, asking people what Canada means to them. (Ela Kinowska)

46. Rendez-vous 2017: More than 40 tall ships will be sailing Canadian waters in honour of the 150th anniversary of Confederation. They will be stopping in Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes, giving thousands of people the opportunity to admire the beauty of these vessels.

47. Sky Lounge: Running from July 14 to 22, the Sky Lounge is an opportunity to experience fine dining 150 feet in the air. (Ottawa)

48. Timeraiser150: Framework Foundation will host art auction parties in each of the ten provinces. Individuals will be asked to place bids on the art by offering volunteer hours to local non-profit organizations.

49. Thread of 1000 Stories: Faith Canada 150 is collecting 1,000 stories of faith in Canada. The project aims to show how faith intersects the lives of Canadians across the country.

50. Toronto's Canada Day Festival Celebration: Toronto will spend not one but four days marking the occasion! Cultural festivities will be filled with family friendly events, live music, dance productions and fireworks at Mel Lastman Square. (Toronto)

51. Toronto Newcomer Day: May 15 will be a day of celebration as Toronto welcomes newcomers with a fair, featuring settlement services, entertainment and a citizenship ceremony. (Toronto)

52. Traditional Watercraft of Canada's North: Four Yukon artists and their apprentices will build a traditional watercraft, promoting cross-cultural awareness and understanding of the role First Nations and Inuit cultures play in Canada's early development and exploration. (Whitehorse)

53. Voices from Nunavut: The Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum is presenting a multi-language exhibit of a 25-channel video installation representing 25 Nunavut communities. Young people from each community will make media for the installation, in hopes of capturing what the territory looks like in 2017. (Iqaluit)