17 Canada Day Vancouver 2016 events to show off your red and white

O Canada! It’s that time of year again – when we let our hearts swell with pride as we celebrate the True North Strong And Free.

So this July 1, put on your best bright red t-shirt and head to some of these fantastic Canada Day events happening across Metro Vancouver.

Vancouver

Canada Day Concert

This year’s Port of Vancouver Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver will be all about flashbacks to Expo 86, as Canada Place, built for Expo, turns 30 years old – and it’s all free.

The Canada Day concert will include Aaron Pritchett, Barney Bentall, Mo Kenney, Bear Mountain, Rococode, Twin Kennedy and Willa.

Other highlights will include a family-friendly licensed area, food carts, street hockey, and the traditional citizenship ceremony welcoming 60 new Canadians.

• Where: Canada Place, Jack Poole Plaza, and surrounding streets
• When: 10 am to 6 pm

Canada Day Parade

Once the daytime celebrations are finished, make your way to Georgia Street to enjoy the ever popular, free Canada Day Parade, featuring more than 50 entries that recognize diversity, multiculturalism and the special bond that connects all Canadians.

• Where: Starts at the corner of Georgia and Broughton Streets, runs eastbound along Georgia, proceeding north down Burrard Street and ending at West Pender
• When: 7 pm

Canada Day Fireworks

The city’s only two-barge, simultaneous fireworks show is set to light up the night sky in celebration of our nation’s birthday.

• Where: Coal Harbour and Dundarave in West Vancouver
• When: 10:30 pm

Canada Day Jamboree (TO BE CONFIRMED)

If you’re looking to inject a little action into your Canada Day, head down to Strathcona Park for the free Canada Day Jamboree. There’s usually DJ sets and tons of great food and drink.

• Where: Strathcona Park – 857 Malkin Avenue, Vancouver
• When: Noon to dusk

Canada Day on Granville Island

What starts with a colourful parade and ceremony soon becomes a cacophony of fun. This year’s attractions include a lively bazaar with music, dance and food, jazz concerts, large-scale woodcut printing using a steamroller as a press, and a cookout at The Lobster Man.

• Where: All over Granville Island
• When: All day long

Canadiano!

More Canadian than maple syrup, Instant Theatre presents Canadiano!, the next great Canadian play. Based on your suggestions, Canadiano! will bust through the stereotypes to serve up a sweet slice of real Canadian life; hilarious, heart-felt, and touching.

• Where: Havana Theatre – 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• When: 10:30 pm
• Tickets: On Eventbrite, priced $8

The Ultimate Canada Day & Night Boat Party

Whether you want to get a perfect tan on the day boat or dance under the stars on the night boat, this is your chance to celebrate Canada Day with a massive boat party, alongside 1,000 other (half naked) Canadians, who are clubbing their faces off to the sounds of 24 DJS.

• Where: Plaza of Nations – 750 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
• When: “Sunny Ways” day boat boards at noon, docks at 5 pm; “Fireworks” night boat boards at 7 pm, docks at midnight
• Tickets: fullhouseevents.ca, price not yet advertised

Canada Day Party with Nessly

Join Atlanta rapper Nessly, Cherchez La Femme, Shy Daughter, RHEK, and AKA Paradise DJs Christian Flores, Zach City & andishae at the Canada Day Jamboree After Party. Expect “drums that literally sound like theres a horse galloping on the track.”

• Where: Republic – 958 Granville Street, Vancouver
• When: 10 pm to 3 am
• Tickets: On TicketZone, priced $10 in advance plus fees

North Shore

Canada Day at Waterfront Park

Enjoy an artisan craft market, food trucks galore and tons of live shows on Canada Day. This year’s performers include West Coast Latin dance band Mazacote, rock and soul revue group The Dynamics, and Axé Capoeira, combining Brazilian vocals with martial arts.

• Where: Waterfront Park – 325 Esplanade Avenue, North Vancouver
• When: Noon to 4 pm

North Vancouver Canada Day Parade

Hosted by the Celebrate North Shore society, the parade features a huge variety of colourful floats from all around the community, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion and Cadet Branches. Routes and timings are yet to be confirmed.

• Updates: canadadaynorthshore.org

Canada Day Red & White Picnic

Dress up in our national colours and join other revellers at John Lawson Park. Bring a picnic or enjoy a something tasty from the food vendors while watching live entertainment in West Vancouver.

• Where: John Lawson Park – 17th Street, West Vancouver
• When: 4:30 to 10:30 pm

Richmond

Steveston Salmon Festival

After an early pancake breakfast and citizenship ceremony, a huge Canada Day parade of more than 100 entries kicks off at 10 am, winding through historic Steveston village.

In the afternoon, the festival’s Main Stage will be bursting with entertainment, alongside Japanese cultural displays, martial arts demos, a kids’ festival, and a car show.

But of course, the main attraction is the famous salmon barbecue, where more than 1,200 pounds of wild salmon filets are grilled over open fire pits every year. $15 per plate.

• Where: Steveston Community Centre – 4111 Moncton Street, Richmond
• When: 6:30 am to 5 pm; BBQ runs from 11 am until it’s sold out

Canada Day at the Cannery

Take advantage of the free admission to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, and learn about the rich history of fishing and canning in the Gulf of Georgia. There will be carnival games, music, and fair food for the whole family to enjoy.

• Where: Gulf of Georgia Cannery – 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
• When: 10 am to 5 pm

Burnaby

Canada Day at Edmonds Park

It’s a fun day of free family activities, face painting, music, arts and crafts, the ever popular bingo, cake, amazing multi-cultural entertainment, a youth soccer tournament, and more.

• Where: Edmonds Park – 7433 Edmonds Street, Burnaby
• When: 11 am to 2:30 pm

Canada Day at the Burnaby Village Museum

Enjoy the period backdrop of the museum’s 1920s village streets, family entertainment, displays and demonstrations at this Canada Day event. There’ll be heritage games for kids, children’s entertainers, a parade, birthday cakes, and more.

• Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
• When: 11 am to 4:30 pm

New Westminster

Canada Day at Queen’s Park

A day of fabulous fun and celebrations for the entire family in Queen’s Park with performances. Enjoy exciting entertainment, interactive community display booths and the celebrated ‘Pick-a-Box’ silent auction.

• Where: Queen’s Park – Third Avenue, New Westminster
• When: 11:30 to 3:30 pm

Surrey

Canada Day at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre

The Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre will have a cavalcade of Canada Day activities, including amusement rides, science world, food trucks, sports zone, games land, plus plenty for the kids and some special events for seniors, including the usual Strawberry Tea.

On the Main Stage this year you’ll find Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, EnKarma with Vancity Bhangra, DJ Flipout, Jocelyn Pettit, and many more great acts.

Plus, this year, there’s also a Countdown Zone, where Canadian musicians will perform all day, ahead of Canada’s 150th birthday next year.

• Where: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre – 17728 64 Avenue, Surrey
• When: 10 am to 10:30 pm