Canada Day weekend events in Toronto are marked by tons of Pride parties, but there's plenty of other stuff going on in the city. From the Queen's Plate to fireworks displays, it's going to be a wild Canada Day weekend.

Here are my picks for the top events going down in Toronto July 1-3.

CANADA DAY

Pretty much every public space, park, waterfront zone and backyard is hosting a Canada Day celebration of some sort. Whether you hang with the crowds at the Harbourfront, the ultra-Canada theme Gladstone party or at the Aga Khan, you'll feel fireworks in your heart and in your ears around 10 p.m.

PRIDE

Pride took over the entire city for a month, but from July 1 - 3 it really, really spews rainbows all over everything. Take a look at our Party Guide by Day Of The Week to fully understand the girth of this massive festival. Don't forget there are parades on all three days.

FOOD & DRANK

Toronto RibFest (June 30 - July 3)
There are rows and rows and rows of ribs in Etobicoke for this great big meat fest. There will be best rib competitions, two stages of entertainment and "Toronto's largest mobile midway." That's a lot of rides and colourful characters. Arrive with an empty stomach.

Brewers Backyard: Lester P Beerson Day (July 1)
The Canada Day edition of Brewer's Backyard takes over Koerner Gardens and Holcim Gallery at the Evergreen Brick Works from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free for the afternoon event featuring GLB, Henderson, Pitschfork, Durham, Railway City and Brimstone along with food vendors such as, Kanga Meat Pies, Food Dudes, Urban Carnivore, and Fidel Gastro.

FESTIVALS

Redpath Waterfront Festival (July 1-3)
This huge lakeside festival takes over Sugar Beach, HTO Park, Sherbourne Common South and Queens Quay West with vendors, music and a fleet of tall ships to explore. The Royal Canadian Navy also shows up (see you at that Pride party later, fellas!) and there's an obstacle course.

Digital Dreams (July 2-3)
Get your crew, get your outfit, get someone who is willing to throw you up their shoulders, and get to this crazy dance music festival at the Ontario Place Flats. Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren and Axwell Ingrosso headline and it runs from 2 - 11 p.m. both days.

Beaches Jazz Festival (July 2-26)
Though the actual street closures don't happen for a couple weeks, this music-centric fest is indeed kicking off with the Beach Salsa Festival. 14-piece orchestra La Gran Colombia will be performing, as well as a bunch of other impressive international Latin artists.

HORSES

Queen's Plate (July 3)
Bring your giant fancy hat to this big party at the Woodbine Race Track. For the first time ever, in addition to the Hats & Horseshoes party there will be live music from seven Canadian artists on three stages. It's like its own mini-music fest... with horses as a bonus! Acts include Hedley, Matthew Good, The Strumbellas, and the Emerson Street Rhythm Band.

MARKETS

Gibraltar Point Market (July 3)
Head all the way over to Gibraltar Point's Artscape building (I'd take the Hanlan's Point ferry to get there) for this arts and food market. From soaps to popsicles and origami inspired jewelry, this market rules because you can head down to the semi-secret GIlbraltar Point beach once you're done shopping.

Waterfront Artisan Market (July 1-3)
HTO park (that lovely little spot by the water with the yellow umbrellas) hosts this monthly artisan market. Jewellers, sunglass makers, photography, house and style stuff, and clothing are spread out over the park as well as a bunch of great food vendors. Here are the 18 yummy things we liked at the first market.

DANCING

• Electric Island (Hanlan's Point, July 1
• 
  Coconut Groove Label showcase (Bambii's, July 1)
• Darkroom Ft. Dynamo Azari (Wildflower, July 1)
• Wildest Dreams - Taylor Swift Dance Party (Studio Bar, July 2)
• Night Comfort 35: JFM, Let There Be Light (Handlebar, July 3)

For more events this weekend click on over to our events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.

Thanks to Grolsch for sponsoring this post

Photo of Digital Dreams by Jesse Milns.