With the long weekend rapidly approaching, you’re probably looking ahead to make some Canada Day plans sooner rather than later. The good news is that there are lots of celebrations taking place across Metro Vancouver worth visiting, From The Shipyards to Fort Langley. Whether it’s family-friendly activities, Indigenous cultural performances, food truck eats, or fireworks that you’re after, you’ll have plenty of options at all of these Canada Day events. Oh, and nearly all of them are free to attend!
So with that in mind, here are 6 of the largest Canada Day celebrations happening in and around Vancouver this year.
Canada Together at Canada Place
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We’re starting off with the largest Canada Day celebration outside of Ottawa. The second annual Canada Together event is planned in collaboration with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and will feature everything from activity zones for the kids, to a diverse lineup of performances, including headliners Tegan and Sara.
Where: 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
StreetFest in Burnaby
Burnaby’s second annual StreetFest is returning to the Metrotown neighbourhood with a variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Take to the streets to dance as JUNO award-winning headliner LIGHTS performs electronic synth-pop tunes, or enjoy JUNO-nominee and Two-Spirit Mohawk artist Shawnee Kish taking the stage.
Visitors can also take advantage of family-friendly activities and community displays along Central Boulevard and Civic Square, and check out the food trucks and concerts at Central Park!
StreetFest will kick off at 6:30 pm with family-friendly celebrations and performances, and cap off with a fireworks show at 10:15 pm.
Where: Metrotown, Burnaby
Canada Day North Vancouver
For over 30 years, the Rotary Club of Lions Gate North Vancouver has hosted Canada Day celebrations. This year, the organizers are shaking things up, bringing an array of local artists, entertainers, and vendors together for a memorable day of fun for the whole family.
From noon until 4 pm, visitors can expect to enjoy a slew of live entertainment, a beer garden, live paintings at the Burrard Dry Dock Pier, face painting, and food trucks.
As well, guests can check out a bee observation hive provided by Main Street Honey Shoppe and enjoy a retro dance party at the Pipe Shop from 5 to 10 pm.
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
City of Surrey: Canada Day Celebration
Western Canada’s largest Canada Day event will take over the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre on July 1st from 10 am to 10:30 pm. And it will feature a ton of fun-filled performances, activities, rides, fireworks and much, much more.
To begin with, the JUNO award-winning, Toronto-based indie rock band, Broken Social Scene will be headlining the musical performances. These will be followed by powerhouse progressive-rock duo, Crowns Land and JUNO award-winners Neon Dreams.
In addition, there will be a line-up of DJs setting the Community Stage ablaze with their killer beats. And also, local dance performances to get you in the groove.
Where: 17728 64 Avenue, Surrey
Canada Day at Westminster Pier Park
The City of New West is celebrating Canada Day with an all-ages drop-in festival from 11 am to 1 pm at the Queensborough Community Centre, followed by a massive celebration at Westminster Pier Park from 1 to 6 pm. Visitors can enjoy live music and multicultural performances at the pier, a kids zone, a cake walk, a yo-yo show, a food zone, and an interactive circus zone, where guests can learn to juggle and walk on stilts.
As well, Indigenous artist James Groening will be leading the Woodland Art Community Canvas, a distinct style blending traditional legends and myths with contemporary mediums. The final product will be displayed at River Market this fall.
Where: 1 6th Street, New Westminster
Sunwave Canada Day – Wave at the Park (Open air)
Fans of electronic music, get ready to party this summer. Sunwave has been celebrating a decade of dance in Vancouver with open-air parties at locations across the city, and they’ve just announced a special Canada Day event. So if you’re looking to rally your friends together and do something fun over the long weekend, this is a great option.
So if you’re looking for something to get excited about this spring and summer, consider snagging some tickets to the Canada Day party while they’re on the cheaper side – and have a look at their other upcoming open-air parties while you’re at it.
The massive Canada Day “Wave at the Park” event will take place on Saturday, July 1st from 4 to 10 pm at Shaughnessy Street Park.
Where: 9250 Shaughnessy Street, Vancouver
Cost: $22.63
Canada Day in the Township of Langley
Last but not least, we come to the Township of Langley, which is marking the occasion with two free days of family-friendly fun: One at Aldergrove Athletic Park from 11 am to 5 pm, and one from 10 am to 5 pm at Fort Langley. Visitors will get to enjoy free live entertainment, games, activities, and local food vendors.
Where: Aldergrove Athletic Park and Fort Langley
So there you have it, Vancouver. Stay safe and have an amazing Canada Day!
