5 tips for the best Honda Celebration of Light fireworks experience

After scoping out an ideal location, planning the perfect picnic, packing your beach essentials, and finally setting up for the perfect night of fireworks with your crew, the last thing you want is for it to be ruined by other fireworks enthusiasts who are completely unaware that their game of volleyball is displacing half of Second Beach onto your Tofino Towel!

Here are five ways to enjoy the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks this year:

1. Location, location, location

There are multiple spots throughout Vancouver that will be prime spots for watching the fireworks this year, but select your location carefully. If you have young children, or are opting for a more low-key atmosphere, perhaps consider having a picnic at Kitsilano Beach or Dundarave in West Vancouver.

Walt Disney is putting on the final show this year, on Saturday, July 30, so it would be the perfect time to bring your kids’ Mickey Mouse ears and get into the Disney spirit!

If you’re heading out with a group of friends afterwards, perhaps pick English Bay as a more appropriate spot for your pre-party. This way, you’re more likely to be surrounded by individuals on the same page as you and you will be less likely to offend those around you.

2. Plan ahead

If you are looking for a more optimal experience, visit the official website to save your spot in the prime viewing lounges and find information on parking.

If you plan to picnic at your spot beforehand, consider packing items that are (almost) mess-free, won’t take up too much space in your basket or backpack, and leave minimal garbage for cleanup afterwards.

Finger foods such as veggie and turkey rollups, seared tofu pieces, and harder (less likely to mush) fruits such as apple slices or plums are ideal choices. This way you won’t have to leave your (hopefully ideal) spot in search of a washroom to clean yourself up afterwards.

If you’re arriving early, be sure to also enjoy the big lineup for this year’s Shorefest music festival just before the fireworks at both English Bay and Sunset beaches.

See also

• Honda Celebration of Light 2016 participating countries
• 8 best places to watch the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks
• Opinion: Fireworks heavyweights push Honda Celebration of Light to new level
• The Boom Booms, Loverboy to headline free SHOREFEST 2016 festival

3. Be considerate

With thousands of people expected for the highly anticipated events, it’s important that everyone is mindful of one another as it’s the only way a large event like this can run smoothly. You may be on a mosquito-free streak this summer, but that doesn’t mean dousing the air with OFF! is a good idea. Be mindful of the fact that others are breathing in, or potentially eating, whatever you spray, or smoke, around you.

Feel free to bring entertainment to the beach, be it (shareable) toys for kids or a beach ball – just be mindful of not letting these items annoy others as there’s something unsettling about constantly wondering if someone’s soccer ball is going to hit you! Furthermore, consider taking down your daytime volleyball or badminton net so that others can start to set up their spots for the show.

If you plan to enjoy food from the numerous food vendors on site, be patient and considerate. The last thing needed in a big crowd is pushing and shoving. Take a scan to see if there are children, strollers, elderly, or disabled people around you and act accordingly.

Don’t forget to keep the beaches the same, or even better, than you found them. Show consideration to pick up after yourself so that others don’t have to.

Crowd time lapse of Celebration of Light

4. Kids

Yes, it’s true that parents are only halfway through summer and are most likely completely exhausted from keeping the kids entertained, but, parents, don’t let that distract you from keeping an eye on the kiddos in case they are screaming or stomping sand over someone else’s blankets.

Although this is a family-friendly environment, consider that some may be looking for a more peaceful or romantic atmosphere. Also, don’t forget to bring earplugs, or noise blocking headphones, for younger children who may be sensitive to the loud sounds of the fireworks.

5. Put the phone down

Enjoy the atmosphere you are in and let yourself be carried away by the lights and music. Events such as these don’t happen often enough for you to let them pass you by while you refresh your news feed.

Each fireworks show (Netherlands on Saturday, July 23; Australia on Wednesday, July 27; USA by Disney on Saturday, July 30) begins at 10 pm.

Daily Hive Vancouver is a proud Media Partner of
the 2016 Honda Celebration of Light