Photo: leprevostalice on Instagram 

With Victoria Day long weekend offering the first glimpse of Canadian summer,  there are countess activities to check off which will guarantee a thrilling, delicious, and possibly booze-filled start to the season ahead. Whether it is soaking up sun, sweat and paint at Montreal’s colour run, sipping on local Vancouver craft beers, or enjoying a sky full of fireworks over the vast and sparking Niagara Falls, this year offers plenty of fun. Just in time for the weekend, here are a few hotly anticipated events which will promise excitement and surely offer you and your loved ones a bevy of Instagram-worthy photo ops.

Niagara Falls Fireworks, May 23: 

Head over to Canada’s largest waterfalls and embrace natures wonder with a night in the romantic Niagara Falls. Gaze up at the spectacular fireworks display kicking off at 10 p.m. on Monday May 23^rd, and see a show of lights and its stunning colorful reflection on the falls.

HarbourKIDS Toronto Circus, May 21–23 

From May 21- 23, the HarbourKIDS Circus brings Toronto’s annual Victoria Day weekend circus to the waterfront. This year, the annual Circus has been re-rigged to bring you even more fun, with local circus artists and curators who are introducing new performances certain to blow the socks of every member of your family!

Color Me Rad Montreal – May 22

Color Me Rad is a 5k running marathon leaving you covered in something more than sweat – bright colors of paint! The festive colors used are a sign of winter’s end and spring’s new beginnings. Who wouldn’t want to end Victoria Day looking like a full-body tie-dyed hippie after a day of running (more like dancing), music and sunshine? If you are in Montreal, grab your friends and get rad on May 22^nd.

Go Fest – Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival – May 20-23 

The third annual, Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival (GO Fest) returns on the Victoria Day Long Weekend. With an aim of bridging the gap between winter adventure and summer fun, four non-stop days of mountain bike racing, iBubble soccer tournaments, yoga sessions and a treetop adventure racing make for the perfect weekend for people who crave outdoor adventures. For the times you aren’t feeling so athletic, check out the festival’s Adventure Film Series, Bear Sculpting class, Picasso Portrait Party and photography workshops.

Vancouver Craft Beer Week

Get your party on at Vancouver Craft Beer Week with 10 days of the top ales, finest lagers, mouth-watering food, and the biggest beer festival Western Canada has to offer. Grab your buddies and beer and jam out to 12 amazing music acts and kick off your summer with a bang. Music, food and beer – what’s a better way to celebrate the start of days like this?

Calgary’s Historical Village Opening Weekend

Celebrate the Victoria Day Long Weekend by travelling back in time! Experience a blast from Canada’s past at Calgary’s Heritage Park Historical Village while you feast on freshly made cheese buns, enjoy a scenic horse-drawn wagon ride, and experience the thrilling thundering steam train. Learn about Calgary’s colorful heritage while enjoying history-themed food, performances, and family friendly activities! If you are looking to up your field-trip game, check out Heritage Park’s opening weekend from May 21-23.