Holidays and Festivals of Canada

Holidays and Festivals of Canada

Social Culture and Basic Communication: Unit 8

Poll

Vancouver Celebration of Light, Vancouver

The largest fireworks competition in the world is held over several nights every summer in Vancouver. More than just a pyrotechnical extravaganza, the Honda Celebration of Light comprises concerts, food stalls, and the Seawall Challenge, a popular urban adventure race. The festival makes for a great way to get to know the city from a local perspective. 

• Looks cool, I'm in!

• No, thanks.

​Seawall Challenge

An urban adventure race benefiting after-school programs in the Lower Mainland. Join the Family Challenge if you have 2 or more children 12 or under on your team.  Friend teams of four will compete in a series of tougher physical and mental challenges.

Poll

This is Quebec's Winter Carnival. The inhabitants of New France, now Quebec, had a rowdy tradition of getting together just before Lent to eat, drink, and be merry.

Today, the Quebec Winter Carnival is the biggest winter carnival in the world and is celebrated annually at the end of January until mid-February. No sense in fighting the cold – embrace and celebrate it.Would you like to go? 

• Looks cool, I'm in!

• Too cold for me, thanks.

​Quebec Winter Carnival

​- try snow taffy

​- take a pic with Bonhomme

- Ice sculpting

​- Snow building/carving

​- Sledding/tubing/downhill bowling

​- Parades

​- Fireworks

​- Carnival Games (winter themed)

​- Rides (ferris wheel

Open Ended

What would you like to do at the Winter Carnival?

Poll

Which festival food do you most want to try?

• Beaver tail

• Maple taffy

• Maple syrup pie

• Poutine

• Smores Hot chocolate cone

Poll

This is TIFF. TIFF is one of the leading film festivals in the world, ranking closely with Cannes and Sundance. Films such as Hotel Rwanda, American Beauty, and The Big Chill made their premieres at this prominent star-studded event held each September. The festival is also known as the kick-off to awards season, with many films that make their premiere at TIFF going on to get nominated for Oscars and Golden Globe awards.Would you like to watch movies before anyone else gets to see it in the theatre?

• Red carpet, here I come

• No, thanks.

Poll

This is the Calgary Stampede. It's a rodeo with cowboys and cowgirls competing on horseback for ribbons and trophies. There are also lots of country music concerts, carnival games and rides, of course lots of fair foods and much more! Are you in?

• Yeee Haw!

• No way Jos`e!

Poll

This is Just for Laughs Comedy Fest. Every day there are comedians performing to get laughs from the large crowds. Do you want to get your giggles on at this funny show?

• Sounds like a laugh, I'm in!

• No, thanks.

Poll

This is Victoria Day, also known as May 2-4. This is the start of the camping season. It's a long weekend for families to spend outdoors fishing, boating, cycling, and enjoying small firework displays.

• Let's Go!

• Victoria, who??

questions

1. For which festival do people wear read and white outfits

2. Which festival has given birth to a TV show

3. Which festival is held in September

4. In which festival violins are played

5. Is there a race

Is held over 3 weekends

Lasts 10 days

Draws international performers

Is held before Lent

Started in 1980

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Cultural Connections

Holidays are tied to a countries history. They are a root to the past and a reminder of family traditions passed down or of major sacrifices made. There are many Christmas traditions that have been around a long time, like setting up a tree or giving gifts. Then you have Easter where Jesus died to save us. How about Rememberance Day where we remember those who died in wars for us to live free.

​

​Festivals are a way to celebrate something that brings people together. It is a way to build community so we don't feel so alone. It is an uplifting and exciting part of the year for many people. Winter Carnival in Quebec keeps peoples spirits up to continue enduring the long cold winter.