Today is Canada Day, so it only felt appropriate as someone who is half-Canadian, to speak on the travel and the pop culture that comes out of the Great White North. But first, a trip down memory lane…
In 2011, I was given the dream assignment of covering seven festivals across Canada in partnership with Destination Canada and The New Yorker. Given I am both a Canadian AND a New Yorker at the time, I couldn’t believe my luck. Little did we know – pre influencer, multimedia storyteller days – what we were creating. I blogged, photographed, produced video, posted on social, all while covering the following: Okanagan Wine Festival, Calgary Stampede, Luminato Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival and PEI Shellfish Festival.
At the time, I was simultaneously working for Forbes, and taking off every few weeks for a new festival and destination. It made me proud to bring stories from so many beautiful places, sharing the wonderful people, and celebrate art, music, food, and culture along the way. Canada is obviously a huge Country (second largest in the world), with a small population (40 million), but the rich mosaic of multiculturalism and distinct traditions are an incredible thing to explore, especially in the summer months. Now more than ever, support the great people and places of the Great White North.
Here were my stops + festivals to explore
Okanagan Wine Festival: The sunning Okanagan is western wine country in Canada, producing some extraordinary wine, produce and views.
Calgary Stampede: The Calgary Stampede just celebrated 120 years and is THE rodeo destination in North America.
Toronto Luminato Festival: An annual ten-day celebration of the arts in Toronto, the largest city in Canada
Toronto International Film Festival: Largely considered the most important film festival to premiere at, one of the largest publicly attended film festivals in the world, attracting over 480,000 people annually.
Stratford Shakespeare Festival: An an internationally recognized annual repertory theatre festival running annually from April to October in the city.
Montreal Jazz Festival: The greatest! Musicians from around the globe show up for this one (even Prince played a three day set in a tiny club). The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal holds the 2004 Guinness World Record as the world’s largest jazz festival.
PEI Shellfish Festival: Join the “Biggest Kitchen Party in Atlantic Canada” boasting good friends, good times, good music and lots of world-famous Prince Edward Island shellfish.
Hollywood North: Canada’s Secret Role as the World’s Movie Star
When you think of Hollywood, California probably comes to mind — palm trees, movie studios, and red carpets. But did you know that Canada quietly plays one of the biggest roles in global cinema? Welcome to Hollywood North, where some of your favorite movies and TV shows are actually filmed. This Canada Day, it’s time to celebrate the country’s hidden star power in film and television.
Why Hollywood North?
Canada’s diverse landscapes, iconic cities, and skilled crews have made it a magnet for filmmakers. From urban skylines to wilderness backdrops, our cities double for everything from New York to London, while our forests and mountains set the perfect stage for supernatural thrillers and action blockbusters alike.
Plus, the Canadian government offers attractive tax incentives for productions, which means more movies and shows are choosing to shoot north of the border.
Famous Film Locations You Didn’t Know Were in Canada
- Casa Loma, Toronto — Remember Professor X’s Xavier Institute from the X-Men films? That’s actually the iconic Casa Loma castle in Toronto. This historic mansion makes the perfect setting for a secret school of mutants.
- Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta — These cities have been the stand-in for post-apocalyptic wastelands in hit shows like The Last of Us, bringing rugged western landscapes to your screen.
- Vancouver, British Columbia — Often called “Hollywood North’s Hollywood,” Vancouver is famous for doubling as American cities in series like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the Deadpool movies. It’s also the foggy forest backdrop for the Twilight saga.
- Ontario — The dystopian world of The Handmaid’s Tale (the fictional Gilead) was filmed across Ontario’s stark and haunting settings, adding to the series’ chilling atmosphere.
- Toronto — High school drama Mean Girls was shot right in Toronto, proving that even the classic American teen movie loves a Canadian city.
A few Hollywood North Movie Stars
Christopher Plummer, William Shatner, Donald & Kiefer Sutherland, Michael J. Fox, Jim Carrey, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Pamela Anderson, Rachel McAdams, Hayden Christensen, Sandra Oh, Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves, Norm Macdonald, Matthew Perry, Brendan Fraser, Catherine O’ Hara, Dan & Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Mike Myers, Michael Cera, Joshua Jackson, Jason Mendoza, Eliot Page, Will Arnett, and so many more
A few Hollywood North Movie Singers / Musicians
Celine Dion, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, K.D. Lang, Shania Twain, Alanis Morrisette, Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, Drake, The Weeknd, Nelly Furtado, Diana Krall, Rufu Wainwright, Geddy Lee (Rush), Paul Anka, Sarah McLachlan, Bryan Adams, Feist, Arcade Fire, Carly Rae Jepsen, Shawn Mendes, Tate McRae
There is not better time to visit Canada – book now! Visit Destination Canada for more
Carrie x
