Although fall doesn't begin until the middle of September, many see August as a signal for the coming end of summer. There are plenty of things to do, and the few long weekends in August give you time to catch up on your favorite hobbies and TV shows. Here's a list of upcoming holidays and events throughout Canada as well as some tips to help you enjoy yourself to the fullest:
Long weekends
Few things are better than a three-day weekend. You get a chance to relax, catch up on renovating your house,or any other activity you couldn't find time to do before. In addition, there are bunch of events and sales to enjoy:
You have your pick of events, festivals, parades and other activities to enjoy this August.
- Civic Holiday. This holiday occurs annually on the first Monday of August, making this year's Civic Holiday Aug. 1. Although it's not a statutory holiday in every province and territory, many employers give their staff the day off anyway. Individual cities and provinces have their own names for this holiday - Alberta calls it Heritage Day, while it's known as New Brunswick Day in New Brunswick and as Colonel By Day in Ottawa. There's almost no limit to the types of parades, sports, festivals and other events that occur throughout this three-day weekend. You can also choose to spend the time at home and catch up on your sleep or DVR.
- Discovery Day. Celebrated in Yukon, Discovery Day weekend begins Aug. 11 and ends Aug. 14, celebrating the 1896 discovery of gold.
- Gold Cup Parade Day. The Gold Cup Parade brings visitors from all over Canada - and even the U.S. - to Prince Edward Island in celebration of summer. Over 100 floats from various communities, businesses and organizations participate in the parade each year, according to organizers. This year's parade starts Friday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m.
Other events
Even if you don't get an additional day off, there's still time to have lots of fun during your regular weekends. Here are some local events you can enjoy with friends and family:
"Edmonton hosts over 60 festivals each year."
- Alberta. The Alberta Tourism Information Service called Edmonton Canada's Festival City. Edmonton hosts over 60 festivals each year, including the Calgary Fringe Festival, the Edmonton Marathon and Calgary Reggaefest.
- British Columbia. Need something fun for the kids? The Bibbity Bobbity Boo Children's Festival on Aug. 14 is a day full of face painting, stories, magic and even a bubble dance party. Meanwhile, adults have until the end of the month to enjoy yoga and wine at CedarCreek Estate Winery.
- New Brunswick. The Folksong Festival blends both traditional and contemporary folk music into a five-day event. Just as unique is the Dieppe Kite International Festival, one of the most famous of its kind in North America.
- Ontario. Toronto has numerous festivals for food, music and everything in between. Check out the Taste of the Danforth festival - Aug. 5 through 7 - for tasty eats from all over the world. Those with a narrower, animal-friendly palate can check out the Toronto Vegan Food and Drink Festival on Aug. 13. For brew lovers, the Roundhouse Craft Beer Fest runs from Aug. 13 to 14, while the Toronto Cider Festival falls on Aug. 27.
- Quebec. The Fantasia International Film Festival begins in July and ends Aug. 3. Here, film buffs enjoy features from a variety of genres including action, animation, sci fi and documentaries. Plein Art Quebec, a two-week festival from Aug. 2 through 14, brings over a hundred artists and crafters to Espace 400e. All presenters are recognized by the Conseil des metiers d'art du Quebec, so viewers can rest assured knowing all items at the exhibition are created by masters of their craft. This free, kid-friendly event is a great chance to experience some great art.
Tips for enjoying long weekends and events
These are just a small handful of the numerous activities going on in August, so be sure to check locally to find something that appeals to you. Here are a few additional tips to help you make the most of these events:
"Hitting snooze makes you more likely to end up sleeping your day away."
- Set your alarm and stick to it. Not only does hitting snooze make you more likely to end up sleeping your day away, but it also upsets your body rhythms and sleep cycle, making it harder to fully wake up once you do decide to get out of bed.
- Wear comfortable shoes. We all understand the desire to look cute, but your feet will thank you for going practical after a long day of walking. If you absolutely must wear that new pair of unsupportive flats, buy a pair of gel insoles for cushion.
- Prepare snacks accordingly. If you plan to spend the day outside, make sure you have plenty of snacks and fresh water. Nothing is more uncomfortable than being hungry and dehydrated, then asked to pay $10 for a bottle of water by a stingy vendor.
There's no shortage of events to participate in this August. Whether you choose to have a three-day staycation or to spend a few hours at a music festival, you're certain to find something fun to do.