Celebrate the kickoff to summer this July 1 long weekend with all St. Catharines has to offer, including Lakeside Long Weekend.
The Lakeside Long Weekend celebration is back at Lakeside Park on June 30 and July 1, promising family-friendly fun, and live entertainment at the picturesque lakefront park with free parking both days.
The City presents Lakeside Long Weekend in partnership with Cicada Music and Arts Festival and Warehouse Concert Hall, with the support of Heritage Canada and CAA Niagara. On June 30, gates open at 11 a.m. and the event runs till 6 p.m. On July 1, gates open at noon with fireworks off the west pier following the performance of Yukon Blonde, who take the stage at 8 p.m. The west pier will be closed as of 2 p.m. July 1 for fireworks setup.
Fencing for the event will be installed Friday, June 28 with public access to the park restricted as of Saturday, June 29 for setup. Fencing will be removed Tuesday, July 2.
Throughout the two days, join the Community Mural Project, enjoy kids’ yoga, and story time sessions, or create origami and do colouring activities. Have some building fun at the Ultimate Bricks and Blocks Family Lego Fun Zone.
Enjoy summer eats and drinks from a variety of food trucks and craft beverage vendors.
The historic carousel operates both days from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The carousel remains five cents per ride or admission by donation.
Live bands perform music from indie to folk to rock at the Rotary Club Bandshell both days. Here’s the performance lineup:
June 30:
July 1:
For more information, visit stcatharines.ca/LakesideLongWeekend.
The City’s outdoor pools open for the summer Friday, June 28, and the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre will reopen the same day following a temporary closure for annual maintenance.
On June 28, Kiwanis Aquatics Centre opens at 5:30 a.m., Port Dalhousie Pool and Lion Dunc Schooley Pool open at 1 p.m., and Lincoln Park Pool opens at 11 a.m.
All pools are open, and lessons are running as scheduled on July 1. There will also be free leisure swims at all aquatic facilities on Monday, July 1. Regular admission and supervision requirements are in effect.
For more information, visit stcatharines.ca/ActiveSTC.
Splash pads will be operating at regular hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit Bogart Street Park, Catherine Street Park, Lester B. Pearson Park, and West Park for some splashing good fun. For more details, including locations, visit stcatharines.ca/splashpads.
Families spend some time with the farm animals, including goats, pigs, and horses, all weekend long at Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm. In addition to animal viewing, families can enjoy the playground, as well as trails along the ponds and waterfront. The park is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, visit stcatharines.ca/happyrolphs.
Get in a round or two at Garden City Golf Course, with tee times available daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Book a tee time in advance by calling 905.688.5601 ext. 1677 and visit stcatharines.ca/golf for more information.
The St. Catharines Farmers Market will be open Saturday, June 29 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring the best that Niagara makes, bakes, and grows. The Discovery Table series kicks off for the season on Saturday morning, with the theme “Let’s Get Green”. For farmers market events, including the Discovery Table series’ lineup, visit stcatharines.ca/marketevents.
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the long weekend, including on July 1. For more information, including current exhibits, visit stcatharines.ca/museum.
Arenas will be closed on July 1 but will be open regular operating hours over the weekend with public programming available. For more details, visit stcatharines.ca/arenas.
The following City facilities will be closed on July 1:
Also, a reminder Morningstar Mill heritage site at Decew Falls remains closed to the public for the 2024 operating season due to construction and restoration work happening at the site. Access to the Bruce Trail remains open along the side of the property, but there is no onsite parking available during the construction.