Photo: Destination Vancouver/Coast Mountain Photography
Each July 1st, Vancouverites celebrate Canada Day with community festivals, outdoor activities, fireworks, and more. Here’s what’s on for Canada Day 2024.
Community Canada Day Celebrations
Communities around the Vancouver area hold celebrations each Canada Day. For the past 38 years, Canada Place has hosted Canada Together Canada Day celebrations in downtown Vancouver. You can expect live performances, a Kids’ Zone, food trucks, and a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians. The event is planned collaboratively with the Musqueam, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and includes Indigenous cultural elements like weaving, carving, and language learning.
In North Vancouver, you can head to the Shipyards District for the annual Canada Day celebration. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Lions Gate, the event includes food, live music, and performances.
There are three Canada Day celebration locations in Burnaby. Edmonds Plaza will have live entertainment, kids’ games, and a birthday cake for Canada. StreetFest on Central at Civic Square near Central Park has dancing, food trucks, and fireworks. The historical exhibits at Burnaby Village Museum will have extra Canada Day activities including multicultural entertainment, demonstrations, face-painting, and more.
You can also attend Canada Day events in New Westminster, Surrey, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, West Vancouver, Delta, and Harrison Hot Springs.
Canada Together Celebrations at Canada Place. Photo: Destination Vancouver/Coast Mountain Photography
Connect with Indigenous Culture
For some, Canada’s colonial history has dampened enthusiasm for traditional Canada Day celebrations. Instead, take some time to connect with Indigenous Culture in the spirit of reconciliation.
To deepen your understanding of the local Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) culture and history in Vancouver, sign up for a walk with Talaysay Tours. An Indigenous guide will lead you to key sites around Stanley Park. Or sign up for a cultural tour in North Vancouver with Tsleil-Waututh First Nation-run Takaya Tours. You can take a guided interpretive canoe tour to explore the waters of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm.
You can browse Indigenous art exhibits at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art and the newly reopened Museum of Anthropology. In Whistler, you can also visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
It’s also a great time to visit Indigenous-run businesses. Enjoy traditional and contemporary Indigenous cuisine at Salmon n’ Bannock. Or shop for books at Indigenous-owned Massy Books or Iron Dog Books.
Candace Campo from Talaysay Tours conducts an Indigenous cultural tour in Stanley Park. Photo: Destination Vancouver/Kindred & Scout
Steveston Salmon Festival
The Steveston Salmon Festival in Richmond incorporates Canada Day celebrations along with events that commemorate the neighbourhood’s history of salmon fishing. The festival kicks off with a parade of community floats and classic vehicles. Throughout the day you can enjoy live music, dance, and diverse performers including a mini circus, mimes, a ventriloquist, stilt walkers and more. The highlight for many is the food. Don’t miss the salmon bake, chow mein booth, and pancake breakfast. The festival also includes a Japanese cultural show, youth festival, art show, kids’ zone, and more.
The famous salmon bake. Photo: Steveston Salmon Festival
Canada Day Boat Parties
If you want to dance Canada Day away while enjoying incredible views of Vancouver’s skyline, harbour, and mountains, book a spot on a party cruise. There are several Canada Day boat parties to choose from. Vancouver Cruises is offering a Canada Day Boat Bash with a DJ and VIP bottle bottle service. You can also reserve a spot on their Canada Day Dinner Dance Cruise. It features a buffet meal and a DJ.
Vancouver Boat Parties also has two Canada Day options. The Canada Day Latinx X Afrobeats Boat Party has two dance floors, live DJs, and food. You’re encouraged to wear your brightest whites in keeping with the whiteout theme. Or opt for the Canada Day Boat Party on Vancouver’s largest party boat. DJs will be spinning on two different dance floors, including the rooftop dance floor which has incredible views.
Photo: Vancouver Cruises
Explore the Outdoors
One of the things that Canadians are most proud of is our access to nature. Celebrate Canada Day by having an outdoor adventure. Rent a paddleboard and cruise the ocean shoreline. Book a whale watching tour and spend the day observing incredible marine life. Go for a scenic bike ride. You can rent a bike and cruise around the Stanley Park Seawall or sign up for a guided bike tour to see Vancouver’s sights on two wheels. Or head into the wilderness on a hike. Our list of beginner hikes is a great place to start.
Paddleboarding in False Creek. Image credit: Tourism Vancouver / Tanya Goehring
Watch Fireworks
An evening sky full of spectacular fireworks is a great way to cap off Canada Day celebrations. There are a few different places to see fireworks in the Vancouver area this year. In Burnaby, head to StreetFest on Central in Civic Square at the edge of Central Park. The event includes live music, performances and food trucks. It finishes with fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
Coquitlam also finishes its Canada Day celebrations with fireworks. Held in Town Centre Park, the event includes food trucks, an artisan market, community groups, live music, and lots more.
Surrey’s Canada Day festivities also include fireworks. Held at the Bill Reid Millenium Amphitheatres in Cloverdale, the event includes live entertainment, Indigenous cultural sharing, food, and lots more.
Photo: Elisha Terada/Unsplash