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With most of our attention focused on Independence Day, our friendly neighbors to the north are politely sneaking in their own national holiday just a few days earlier, on July 1. This year, Canada Day celebrates the 150th anniversary of the country so nice they would prefer not to repeat its name because that would be bragging. You can celebrate like a true Canucklehead at these local events.
Canada D'EH at the Well
The giant Billyburg beer garden gives itself over to the Great White North at the city's biggest annual Canada Day fête, featuring food from Mile End (see below), the Great Lake Swimmers and other live bands on two stages, and a selection of more than 40 Canadian craft beers and 150 brands of Canadian whiskey. Attendance is free if you RSVP. (272 Meserole St, Williamsburg; July 1 noon–3am)
Red & White Rager at Mama's Bar
The East Village watering hole hosts its 15th annual Canada Day party, with $6 Molson and Labatt beer on tap and $25 buckets of five Moosehead bottles on the outdoor patio. Red and white attire is encouraged, so repurpose your SantaCon outfits if you must. (34 Avenue B, East Village; June 30 6pm–4am, July 1 noon–4am)
New York Rocks the Great Canadian Songbook at Joe's Pub
Songs by such artists as Leonard Cohen, Barenaked Ladies, Neil Young and Men Without Hats—here's hoping for a little Luba or Gowan!—will be in the air as various performers pay tribute to a land where the maple runs free. The Breithaupt Brothers lead the sesquicentennial concert; scheduled participants include Marissa Mulder, Ophira Eisenberg, J’Sun, Jeremy Kushnier, Christina Bianco and Greg Naughton. (425 Lafayette St, East Village; July 1 at 7, 9:30pm; $25 plus $12 minimum)
Soulpepper: True North—A Concert of Canada at Pershing Square Signature Center
One of Canada's leading theater troupes, Toronto's Soulpepper Theatre Company, is invading the Signature Center for the month of July with a sampler pack of some of its best-loved productions, presented in rep. It kicks things off with two days of concerts devoted to Canadian music and values. (480 W 42nd St, Hell's Kitchen; July 1 at 3:30, 7:30pm and July 2 at 7:30pm; $20–$65)
Canada Week at Mile End Deli
Both locations of this deli are favorites of Canadian expats longing for smoked meat and Montreal-style bagels (which are better, they swear, than their bloated New York cousins). In honor of Canada's 150th birthday, they are busting out special menu items including an "Oh Canada" Poutine (fries with Canadian bacon, maple bacon, cheese curds and foie gras gravy) and a Bieber Tail (fried dough pastry in cinnamon sugar). Bon appétit! (97A Hoyt St, Boerum Hill and 53 Bond Street, NoHo; through July 2)