Traditions and everyday life in CanadaFestivals, family customs, favourite places and everyday traditions, written by members of Global Penfriends who live in Canada. Each cultural keepsake is a short note about life where they are.
183 keepsakes from Canada · page 1 of 7
I live on Vancouver Island, which is surrounded by hundreds of tiny islands we call the "Gulf Islands". These little islands are well-known for their enchanting, natural beauty, wildlife, and quaint, West-Coast style homes. They…
Shared by KristaLM
On clear nights, the sky often bursts into waves of green, pink, and sometimes red that ripple like curtains across the darkness. They can appear suddenly starting as a faint glow on the northern horizon, then growing brighter…
Shared by Buriedbanter
The Calgary Stampede is held in early July every year in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is an international Rodeo, Festival, concerts and Exhibition. Rodeo competitors come from around the world for the prestige and high payout…
Shared by DoulaMichele
The Canadian Rocky Mountains are a mountain range that runs in the Western part of Canada from Northern British Columbia, to the Southern tip of Alberta. The highest peak in the Canadian Rockies is Mount Robson at 12,972 feet…
Shared by DoulaMichele
The Ojibwe Spirit horses at Mādahòkì are Canada’s only Indigenous horse breed.The Ojibwe Spirit Horse is the only known Indigenous breed of horse to Canada. Our Elders say they have lived in harmony with our Indigenous…
Shared by clarali
When it gets cold in the winter months and the snow begins to fall to the ground, young children and adults get excited for whats about to happen through out the winter. putting pads on and hockey skates, we all know what time it…
Shared by Avery Chenier
Did you know Canada has over 52,000 islands? This number is minimal in comparison to Finland or Sweden, but still substantial! There are 1864 islands in the 1000 Island archipelago of Eastern Ontario. I happen to live on the…
Shared by verticallimit
A Montreal flagship, recognized as one of the most important in the world, the Montréal Botanical Garden offers a colourful program of events, exhibitions, animations, etc., all year round. The Garden has a collection of 20,000…
Shared by EmilieSC
Here, it's a common to go eat the sugarshack in spring! I also think it should be on your list of to-do things if you ever come to Quebec, or other places in Canada where maple tree grow. The sugarschacks are themselves…
Shared by Caffei
I love visiting Kingston Mills, which is a lock station on the Rideau Canal-a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Irish immigrants made these locks. There are 4 at this station. It is beautiful and natural. I will take my coffee and sit…
Shared by ProfA
Every year, for the preparation of Christmas and New Year, in every city of Colombia de local government designs and builds the illumination for that year. Every single park, mall and Main Street is decorated with glowing lights…
Shared by fafiyuki
Edmonton is called the Festival City because we host a bunch of festivals. Most of them are during summer, because the weather is so nice. My favourites are the Fringe Festival- a theatre festival where 200 plays are performed…
Shared by kerouac
Living in Canada has humbled me in the most beautiful way. Each season teaches me something different. Autumn feels like a gentle reminder that change can be beautiful, with the trees turning into warm shades of gold and red…
Shared by Rabi
Canada is known for the invention of the meal called Poutine. It is French Canadian, actually! From the province of Québec. It is pronounced "poo-tee-nnn". It's rather simple to make: fries, cheese curds and gravy. The secret to…
Shared by Curi0us Wr1ter
In September and October, Kokanee salmon spawn in the small creeks. In Kelowna this can easily be observed since the creek runs through the city and thousands of fish migrate and then die after spawning. In addition to the…
Shared by LorenP
Every spring, the syrup of the maple trees is collected and boiled down to make a syrup and different maple products. We gather at the sugar shack to eat a brunch-like meal, covered in maple syrup! There is traditional Quebec…
Shared by ThePinkPopo
Spotted in Hamilton, Ontario. Even though we aren't far up north, occasionally, the northern lights (aurora borealis) can be seen shining bright for a few minutes! The peak of aurora borealis is very short and only last for a few…
Shared by ellakat
One activity I and many others enjoy year round is "Aurora hunting" - or chasing the northern lights. Out of the cities it is much easier to see, and if your lucky to live in a place I do you get to see them easily right outside…
Shared by ArtsyB
A Medicine Bag is a small pouch worn by the Indigenous peoples of Northern America/Canada, each with their own meanings. There are four main medicines Indigenous folk put in said Medicine Bags; Tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweet…
Shared by Xalynn
Usually there are activities and all kinds of things going on thru out the day of July 1. There is also a giant cake that get cut up and handed out to everyone that attends the activities at the city hall. The activities are…
Shared by Blackroze
Visiting the ROM has always been special for me. Growing up, I was fascinated by the dinosaur and human fossils, ancient artifacts, and biodiversity and mammal galleries, sparking my curiosity about both the past and our current…
Shared by ace26
Each year around christmas we have a christmas walk where you go through the downtown core and the stores offer discounts, and sometimes treats for the kids. You can buy roasted chestnuts and hot apple cider from a vendor and…
Shared by Nice_Things
My family has a cabin here and it is a very special place to me, my whole family comes here when everybody comes home from college and their separate lives! The cabin of the grid and has no internet or power and is very isolated…
Shared by Heidi.n
Every year, thousands of tulips are sent from the Netherlands to Ottawa to honor the Canadian troops who helped liberate the Netherlands in WWII and the birth of Princess Margriet. The number of tulips sent is even reaching the…
Shared by stillmahn
In my family, the sunday brunch is the sacred moment when we all join the little round table of my childhood, in the morning sun of Provence. We enjoy multiple refills of coffee with the little Italian coffee pot which only fills…
Shared by Morgane
blue mountain village is a cute place in a place called collingwood. Its an hour & 30 minutes from my town, and its a great place to stay with great shops, and you can even decorate your own pottery! Many great childhood memories…
Shared by Dreamfaerie
The Château Frontenac was originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway company in the late 19th century to encourage tourists to travel on their railways.Located in historic Old Quebec, the Château Frontenac was designated a…
Shared by Eldi
On Big White Mountain, people snowboard, downhill/cross-country ski, snowshoe and rent chalets. You can enjoy a drink of hot cocoa after making a snowman, having a snowball fight or making snow angels in the snow. Snow angels are…
Shared by Ginger Lynn
Saint-Jean-Baptiste is the name of the national day of the province of Quebec. Usually, the celebrations take place during the night. People celebrate by watching fireworks, doing bonfires, spending time with their friends and…
Shared by Garde maladeWant to hear about life in Canada first-hand? Write to a penpal who lives there.
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