How to Celebrate Becoming Canadian: A New Citizen’s Guide
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Becoming a Canadian citizen is a big deal. It’s a milestone worth honouring—not just for you, but for the community that’s welcomed you. Whether you just got your citizenship certificate or you’re planning ahead, this guide shares authentic, joyful, and very Canadian ways to mark the moment.
Activities to do:
- Visit a National Park or Museum
- Eat (and Drink) Like a Canadian
- Dress the Part
- Plan an Adventure
- Watch Classic Canadian TV
- Take a Citizenship Day Selfie
- Practice Peak Politeness
1
Visit a National Park or Museum
Free entry with Canoo!
New citizens and permanent residents can access hundreds of top Canadian destinations for free through the Canoo app. That includes national parks, science centres, cultural attractions, and more. It’s the perfect way to connect with Canada’s landscapes and stories.
- Banff or Jasper National Park
- Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto)
- Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau)
- Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (Halifax)
- Vancouver Art Gallery (Vancouver)
- Biodome (Montreal)
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2
Eat (and Drink) Like a Canadian
Celebrate your new citizenship with food that feels like home—your new home.
Iconic Canadian eats to try:
- Poutine (with real squeaky curds!)
- Butter tarts or Nanaimo bars
- A BeaverTail pastry from the original Ottawa stand
- Maple syrup on, well, everything
Bonus: Raise a glass with a Caesar (Canada’s signature cocktail) or sample local craft beer. Want dessert? Go for an ice cream cake with a Canadian flag.
3
Dress the Part
You don’t need a uniform to be Canadian—but the classic look says it all.
Get the gear:
- A comfy Roots or Lululemon hoodie
- A plaid flannel shirt and toque (classic)
- A denim-on-denim “Canadian tuxedo”
4
Plan an Adventure
Canada is vast and diverse, so why not explore it now that it’s officially yours?
Ideas for your citizenship bucket list:
- Do a cross-country train trip with VIA Rail (50% off with Canoo)
- Take a backcountry hike in the Rockies or Algonquin
- Swim in the ocean in Tofino or Cape Breton
- Drive the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper
- Go skating on the Rideau Canal in winter
5
Watch Classic Canadian TV
Want to get a better feel for Canadian humour and culture? Watch the shows that generations of Canadians grew up on.
Try these Canadian classics:
- Schitt’s Creek
- Corner Gas
- Trailer Park Boys
- Kim’s Convenience
- The Red Green Show
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6
Take a Citizenship Day Selfie
It’s your day—capture the moment. Many new citizens like to take photos:
- Holding their citizenship certificate
- In front of the Canadian flag
- At their ceremony venue
- With family or friends
And yes, kissing a photo of King Charles or giving your oath video a dramatic flair is optional but fun.
7
Practice Peak Politeness
It’s the stereotype that has truth to it: Canadians are known for being polite.
Start strong with:
- Saying sorry to inanimate objects
- Holding the door open for someone a full 3 seconds too long
- Waving at cars that stop for you
- Small talk about the weather
Experiences and Traditions
- Sign up for the Canoo app to get free access to places like the ROM, AGO, and national parks.
- Get Screeched in in Newfoundland (cod kissing optional, but highly encouraged)
- Take the VIA Rail across Canada—from Toronto to Vancouver or Halifax
- Attend a hockey game at any level—NHL, OHL, Junior A/B/C, or even local rec leagues
- Watch the NHL playoffs at a local bar and cheer (or boo) with fellow fans
- Road trip across provinces, from the Cabot Trail to the Sea-to-Sky Highway
- Spend a weekend at a cabin in Muskoka, by a lake or under the stars
- Go to a sugar shack or tap a maple tree in the spring
- Watch a Canadian film like Strange Brew, Bon Cop Bad Cop, or binge Trailer Park Boys
- Visit Parliament Hill in Ottawa or catch the Tulip Festival
- Take a ferry to PEI or ride the train through the Rockies
- Skate at Valcartier’s ice trail in Quebec
- Go to Centre Island, Tobermory, or the Beaches Boardwalk for a relaxing day
- Participate in Canada Day celebrations or get your free July 1st meal at Mandarin
- Hold a door open for a stranger and apologize when they jog to catch it—very Canadian
- Register to vote and start exercising your civic rights
- Do something kind, volunteer, or support a local Indigenous artist or cause
Eat and Drink Like a Canadian
- Have a McCain Deep ’n Delicious cake straight from the tub
- Try Chapman’s ice cream, Nanaimo bars, and butter tarts (debates about raisins welcome)
- Sip a Caesar, Forty Creek maple whiskey, Canadian Club, or Crown Royal
- Eat poutine (ideally in Quebec) or create a full poutine bar
- Add maple syrup to anything—especially pancakes, bacon, and waffles
- Munch on ketchup chips, Cheezies, All-Dressed, or Hickory Sticks
- Grill something and call it a BBQ, even if it’s just hot dogs
- Drink Molson Canadian, Steam Whistle, or craft beer from a local brewery
- Try Montreal smoked meat, donairs, fish and chips at a Legion, or beaver tails
- Celebrate with a mukbang of your favourite local eats
- Bake treats and share them in a local potluck or park
- Go fishing, cook your catch over a fire, and listen for bears
- Pro tip: Avoid Butter Tart Ice Cream—many agreed it’s an abomination
Final Thoughts
There’s no one way to celebrate becoming Canadian—because being Canadian means bringing your own culture, traditions, and personality into the mix. Whether you go full plaid or keep it low-key with a butter tart and a Netflix binge, the important part is that you feel proud, welcomed, and at home.
Welcome to Canada. You belong here.
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