Sudbury.com checked out the July 1 festivities at the Sudbury Arena and Science North
Canada Day 2026 will go down in history as a hot one, with the temperatures in Greater Sudbury reaching 32 C.
But for those attending the Multicultural Canada Day event at the Sudbury Arena today, it wasn’t so bad.
The arena remained pleasantly cool as of late morning for those checking out delicious foods from around the world, folk dance and free cupcakes served by Sudbury dignitaries.
Bela Ravi, chair of the Sudbury Multicultural & Folk Arts Association, said during her remarks it’s an honour to celebrate not only Canada, but the “incredible diversity” that makes this country as well as Sudbury so special.
“Today we come together from many cultures, languages, traditions, backgrounds, yet contribute to the vibrant mosaic that defines the City of Greater Sudbury,” she said.
“As we celebrate today with music, food, dance, and friendship, let us also renew our commitment to building communities where everyone feels welcome, valued, and most of all included.”
Chinese folk dancers take part in Canada Day festivities put on by the Sudbury Multicultural & Folk Arts Association. Heidi Ulrichsen/Sudbury.com
Canada Day activities of course took place across Sudbury and the region, but another one of the main centres of celebration locally was the grounds of Science North, with vendors, entertainment, kids activities and more.
And everyone was trying to keep cool in an atmosphere akin to a sauna.
Luc Sinclair of Coca Cola Bottling Limited in Sudbury was a popular guy, as he was handing out new flavours of pop and sports drinks bathing in ice water.
“Just free drinks on a hot day, trying to help out the community and spread the word on our new flavours,” he said. “There’s a surprising amount of people out for this temperature, and it’s a great Canada Day, that everybody’s showing up with a positive attitude, and there’s no complaints.”
Luc Sinclair of Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd. in Sudbury hands out ice-cold drinks at Canada Day festivities at Science North. Heidi Ulrichsen/Sudbury.com
Zevora Muir and Joseph Roy showed up at the Science North event huddled underneath a large golfing umbrella, even though it wasn’t raining. The pair said they decided to brave the scorching temperatures to see their friends play in the band Brief Candles.
Sudbury.com also spoke to folks wearing bathing suits, eating ice cream and hovering near a cooling fan as they tried to keep cool.
Viviane Lapointe, the MP for Sudbury, had a booth set up at Science North, and was handing out swag alongside her staff. She said they were trying to stay in the shade and keep hydrated as much as possible.
“It’s a day for celebration. It’s where we all get together and talk about why we’re so proud to be Canadian,” she said. “The heat, you know what, we enjoy the cold and we enjoy the heat, that’s what makes us Canadian.”
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. She also covers education and the arts scene.