From festivals and performances to films and fireworks, there are exciting events planned in cities across Metro Vancouver this long weekend.
Get out your party hats and don your best red-and-white outfits — Canada turns 157 on Monday, and there are b-day bashes aplenty. From festivals and performances to films and fireworks, there are exciting events planned in cities across Metro Vancouver over the long weekend.
Canada Together at Canada Place
2024 marks the 38th annual event at Canada Place at the Port of Vancouver, which has historically been the largest Canada Day celebration outside Ottawa.
Canada Together has been planned collaboratively with representatives from the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Once again, the theme of the event will be “Weaving together the fabric of a nation,” which honours Canada’s diversity and marks the day as one for gathering, celebrating, learning and sharing. The gathering will feature a day of festivities, food, family fun, and performances.
When: July 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The indoor and outdoor spaces at Canada Place, Jack Poole Plaza, and surrounding city streets, Vancouver.
Cost: Free.
For more information visit: canadaplace.ca
Surrey Canada Day
Billed as Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebration, Surrey’s shindig includes food trucks, a beverage garden, kid’s zone, amusement rides and more.
The event will be headlined by Canadian rock and revival band The Sheepdogs, alongside celebrated Juno Award Winner Sass Jordan and respected Indigenous singer-songwriter Don Amero. Additional features of the event include Indigenous cultural presentations on the Siam Stage, family-oriented entertainment on the Kid’s Stage, and an array of local performers, dance battles, and DJ sets on the Community Stage.
A fireworks display will wrap up the festivities.
When: July 1, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre.
Cost: Free.
For more information visit: surreycanadaday.ca
Maple Ridge Celebrates Canada Day
The community is invited to celebrate Canada Day in Maple Ridge with live music, food, dance performances, a kids zone and family activities to celebrate the nation’s birthday. This year’s event incorporates Maple Ridge’s 150 anniversary since its incorporation and Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation since time immemorial.
When: July 1, noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Memorial Peace Park
Cost: Free.
For more information visit: mapleridge.ca/canadaday
Fort Langley Celebrates Canada Day
For a nostalgic look at Canada’s history and culture, check out Fort Langley’s celebrations. From First Nations drumming and square dancing to model trains at the Canadian Northern Rail Museum and historic re-enactments at Fort Langley National Historic Site, there’s something for the family to enjoy.
When: July 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Fort Langley, 9135 King St.
Cost: Free.
For more information visit: parks.canada.ca
Canada Day at Westminster Pier Park
New Westminster is offering three days of family friendly fun events to celebrate Canada Day. One of the main events is at Westminster Pier Park overlooking the Fraser River. There’ll be live music, circus performers, drumming workshops and a kids’ zone.
When: Jun 29 to July 1, 1 to 6 p.m.
Where: Westminster Pier Park.
Cost: Free for the main event but some admission fees for events on June 29.
For a list of all the events over three days visit newwestcity.ca
Canada Day in Abbotsford
Abbotsford’s Canada Day party starts off with a parade along South Fraser Way and ends with a light show. There will also be entertainment, multicultural-themed food trucks, a flea market and lots of family friendly activities.
When: July 1, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Abbotsford Exhibition Park.
Cost: Free.
For a schedule of events visit: tourismabbotsford.ca
Golden Spike Days in Port Moody
One of B.C.’s longest running festivals, the 47th annual Golden Spike Days brings together old-school fun like gold panning and lumberjack performances with pop cultural attractions like the Tri-Cities Got Talent contest and bubble soccer wars. There will also be music and food.
When: June 29-30, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; July 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Rocky Point Park.
Cost: By donation.
For a schedule of events visit: goldenspike.ca
Coquitlam Canada Day
If you’re taking Golden Spike Days why not hop on the SkyTrain to neighbouring Coquitlam for festivities (largest in the Tri-Cities) music performances and fireworks. The fireworks blast off at 10 p.m.
When: July 1, noon to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Town Centre Park (at the last SkyTrain stop)
Cost: Free
For a list of the music lineup visit: coquitlam.ca
Canada Day in Port Coquitlam
Just a hop, skip and a jump over from Coquitlam, the city of Port Coquitlam will host its own event, with country music star Tim Hicks and B.C.’s own Daniel Wesley headlining a roster of entertainment that will please the whole family. Check out the website for a full rundown of the day’s events, including a fishing derby, a pancake breakfast, food vendors, a beverage garden, and a market.
When: July 1, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Castle Park (2252 Castle Crescent)
Cost: Free
Canada Day in Burnaby
Burnaby is hosting three free Canada Day celebrations that showcase the best of Burnaby’s diverse community, with multicultural entertainment, games, activities, food, live performances and fireworks.
Fireworks cap off the festivities at 10:15 p.m.
When: July 1, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Civic Square, Central Boulevard and Central Park.
Cost: Free.
For more information visit: burnaby.ca
Steveston Salmon Festival
One of Canada’s longest running community events, the Steveston Salmon Festival, is back again this year.
The City of Richmond, Steveston Community Society and Richmond Agricultural and Industrial Society will present the 77th annual Steveston Salmon Festival across Steveston Village.
The one day community-wide celebration features a parade, live music, performances, food and much more. It kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with the Kids Bike Parade followed by the official festival parade from 10 a.m. to noon, starting at Garry Point Park and ending at Moncton Street and Railway Avenue.
A major highlight of the festival is the Salmon Bake, which will be available by the RCMP Station from 11 a.m.
When: July 1, starting at 9:30 a.m. Official parade from 10 a.m. to noon.
Where: Steveston/Garry Point Park
Cost: Free (Salmon Bake costs $20) Pancake breakfast is by donation.
For more information visit: stevestonsalmonfest.ca
Awaken Canada at Flyover Vancouver
Flyover’s newest immersive flying journey celebrates what home means to Canadians. Awaken Canada at Flyover in Vancouver, will debut for the Canada Day long weekend, beginning June 28. The flying journey launches exclusively in Vancouver and will later be shown at Flyover locations around the world.
It’s an immersive experience in front of a 20-metre spherical screen that uses the sensations of flight to soar over, around and through the world’s most epic places.
When: June 28-July 1
Where: 999 Canada Place #201
Cost: $29 to $35 a ticket. Children 13 and under $10 off an adult price.
For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit: www.flyoverattractions.com.
Chinese Canadian Museum’s One-Year Anniversary
For something a little different, you can celebrate the first anniversary of the Chinese Canadian Museum on July 1 in Vancouver’s Chinatown. The event marks one year of the museum being open, as well as commemorates the anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Family-friendly activities including poetry readings, live music, an art therapy workshop, a curator’s talk and drop-in games and crafts will be available.
When: July 1
Where: 51 East Pender St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
For more information, visit: www.chinesecanadianmuseum.ca
Source: Vancouver SUN
