3 Things to Do This Long Weekend
Our curated itinerary of activities to do during the August long weekend
The August long weekend isn’t merely a civic holiday, it’s a dutiful day of observance designed to remind all Canadians about the importance of slowing down, spending time with loved ones, practicing self-care, and showcasing great style at every opportunity.
Many of us have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the August long weekend, however, for those still scrambling to put together plans of their own, we’ve got you covered. Use our guide below as a cheat sheet for ideas on how best to spend a few days enjoying the sunshine, warm weather, and conviviality the weekend promises to offer.
Pick Up Pickleball
“Pickleball” almost sounds too silly to take seriously, but once you realize it’s the fastest-growing sport in North America (and factor in similar figures worldwide for Padel, Pickleball’s European cousin), the scoffing starts to cease. Pickleball requires agility, dexterity, and athleticism, and is intuitive to beginners – addictive personalities beware.
New Pickleball courts are being constructed at a mind-boggling rate across metropolitan areas like Toronto and Vancouver, so why not use the long weekend as your opportunity to pick up a paddle and practice what’ll likely be the most popular sport among your friends in a few years (if it isn’t already)?
If you’re still getting acquainted with the sport, let your fire ‘fit do the talking for you. Or, if you’re already a Pickleball pro, you can feel confident getting away with wearing activewear that pushes the envelope a little.
Attend the National Bank Open
While Pickleball might be on trend, the sport’s more distinguished older brother will always maintain its timeless appeal. The attention of world Tennis turns to Canada once again as Toronto and Montréal host the National Bank Open, Canada’s largest annual professional tournament, with qualifying matches starting in both cities from Sunday, August 4th.
This year, the men’s tournament will be hosted at IGA Stadium in Montréal while the women will compete at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. Whoever you score tickets to see, we recommend embracing the event to its fullest with an outfit worthy of the occasion.
You don’t need to suit up like you would at Wimbledon – the Canadian Open is decidedly more casual – though looking smart is never a bad idea. Some linen trousers, a button-up shirt, and potentially an unconstructed sports jacket (should the weather permit) is a great start.
Escape to the Lake
We wouldn’t be the first to suggest a trip to the cottage over the August long weekend, but trust us when we say, we won’t be the last. Mid-summer is the ideal time to escape to cottage country – just when the season’s highest temperatures start to feel unbearable, a cold dip in the lake is the ultimate antidote.
Whichever part of the country you’re situated in, there’s a great chance you’re not too far away from a lake or large body of water (either ocean should work!), which we recommend seeking out and splashing around in this long weekend.
Alongside your swimsuit, we recommend filling your travel bag with comfy cottage essentials, like T-shirts, shorts, slides, and loungewear, to help you chill out and recharge your batteries as effectively as possible. And if you’ve got the cargo space, a S’mores kit always comes in handy.