34 FREE Canada Day events happening in Metro Vancouver

Jun 22 2019, 2:27 am

Get ready for OK Times with the Okanagan Spring Summer Pack.


O Canada! On July 1, put on your best bright red t-shirt, paint your face, grab a flag, and check out these 34 fantastic Canada Day events happening across Metro Vancouver and beyond.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Vancouver

Canada Day at Canada Place

Canada Day

Canada Place

What: The 32nd annual Canada Day celebration at Canada Place will return this year with eye-catching fireworks illuminating the Vancouver waterfront to end off the day-long celebrations. The greatly anticipated event will feature a two-barge firework show in the Inlet, viewable from Vancouver’s waterfront and the North Shore, or with tickets available at the family-friendly Fireworks Viewing Zone.

Canada’s 152nd birthday party will also feature a full day of festivities, great food, and family fun, to be kicked off at 9:30 am with a citizenship ceremony, where 60 citizens will be officially sworn in as Canadians. The day-long event will also have musical performances by a number of musical and dance performers, including headliners Delhi 2 Dublin closing out the day.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: Festivities starting at 9:30 am, with fireworks at 10:30 pm
Where: Canada Place and surrounding city streets
Admission: Free

Vancouver Convention Centre Canada Day Open House

What: Vancouver Convention Centre invites you to the West building on July 1st for their annual Canada Day celebration. From 11 am to 5 pm, experience a variety of family-friendly activities and displays including free indoor yoga sessions for the family hosted by lululemon, live cooking demonstrations with their culinary team, family friendly activities, special lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, and more.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West Building – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Admission: Free

O Canada Day on Granville Island

What: Head to Granville Island for their annual Canada Day Parade, as well as jazz concerts, live shows, festival food, and more.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: Festivities all day, parade at 1:30 pm
Where: Granville Island
Admission: Free

Canada Day at the Jazz Festival on Granville Island

Granville Island

Granville Island Public Market / Shutterstock

What: Canada Day at #VanJazzFest will be a huge all-day, family-friendly celebration of free outdoor live music shows on Granville Island. Enjoy performances throughout the day on the Railspur District Stage, Ron Basford Park Stage, Public Market Stage, and at Performance Works.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: Festivities all day, parade at 1:30 pm
Where: Granville Island
Admission: Free

Canada Day on The Drive 2019

What: Free family fun courtesy of the Commercial Drive Business Society, Britannia Community Centre and local community partners at Grandview Park. Festival highlights include live aboriginal performances, live bands, children’s games and activities, giant inflatable slide, community booths and much more.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 12 pm to 3 pm
Where: Grandview Park, Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Parks Canada – Free Admission for Canada Day

national parks

La Mauricie National Park, parks.canada/Instagram

What: Parks Canada is offering free admission to all of its national parks and historic sites this July 1. Whether you live near one of these beautiful destinations, or you’re up for a little road trip, you’re going to want to clear your calendars this Canada day and get exploring. And even though admission to these parks is only free on Canada Day, if you’re 17 and under, you can visit all Parks Canada locations for free, any time of the year.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: All Day
Where: List of national parks and historic sites here
Admission: Free

North Shore

Canada Day at Waterfront Park

North Vancouver july 1

Canada Day at Waterfront Park (Contributed)

What: For the 31st year in a row, the Rotary Club of Lions Gate will host a fun-filled, family afternoon full of events at Waterfront Park. This year’s event will feature a diverse lineup of local performers, multicultural food, family-oriented games, and displays from North Shore Community organizations. Enjoy free cupcakes, a climbing wall, bouncy castles, balloon artists, and much more.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 12 pm to 4 pm
Where: Waterfront Park – 200 Block of West Esplanade, North Vancouver
Admission: Free

North Vancouver Canada Day Parade

What: Hosted by the Celebrate North Shore society, the annual parade features a huge variety of colourful floats from all around the community, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion and Cadet Branches. The Lions Club will be hosting its popular pancake breakfast on Grand Boulevard before the parade and the Royal Canadian Legion on 15th Street is organizing a barbecue after the parade.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: Lion’s Club Pancake breakfast is available at Grand Blvd from 7:30 am. Parade starts at 10 am
Where: Starts at 13th Street and Grand Boulevard, goes west on 13th Street to Lonsdale, north on Lonsdale, west on 17th Avenue, and ends at Jones and Mahon Park.
Admission: Free

Canada Day at John Lawson Park

What: The festivities start with a citizenship ceremony at 2 pm followed by live entertainment, kids activities and a variety of food vendors. Be sure to stay and enjoy the fireworks show from the beach.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 2 to 10:30 pm
Where: John Lawson Park, 17th Street and Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver
Admission: Free

Squamish

Canada Day 2019 in Squamish

What: Kick off your Squamish Canada Day with a parade on Cleveland Avenue and the annual First Nations welcome and flag raising at Stan Clarke Park. Then spend the day enjoying the market and entertainment at Junction Park, followed by a concert by Marc Charron, Ananda Flow, and the Paperboys, food trucks, and fireworks at Brennan Park.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Downtown Squamish, Stan Clarke Park, Junction Park and Brennan Park
Admission: Free

Richmond

Steveston Salmon Festival

Steveston Salmon Festival

Steveston Salmon Festival/Facebook

What: Steveston Salmon Festival presented by YVR is Richmond’s marquee Canada Day Celebration. The people of Steveston have come together every year since 1945 to celebrate Canada’s birthday and the rich heritage of the community. The festival is famous for its salmon barbecue where over 1,200 pounds of wild salmon filets are grilled over open fire pits. A Canada Day Parade through historic Steveston village kicks off the festival. With over 80,000 people expected, the festival will feature multiple stages with over 50 performances, an expansive community parade, a big fireworks finale and many activity zones.

When: Monday, July 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 10:30 pm
Where: 4111 Moncton Street, Richmond
Admission: Free, salmon BBQ $16 per plate

Canada Day at the Cannery

What: Start your day with the Canada Day parade, which passes right in front of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, then explore local history at the Cannery.  At 12 noon, enjoy cake (while supplies last) and celebrate the 125th ‘Canniversary’ since the historic cannery was built in 1894. Look for face-painting, caricatures, and snack vendors, as well as performances throughout the day at the Salmon Festival’s Celebration Stage in front of the Cannery.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Gulf of Georgia Cannery – 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
Admission: Free

Burnaby

Canada Day at Swangard Stadium

What: This free, family-friendly concert featuring Coco Jafro, Nuela Charles and Stars caps off Burnaby’s Canada Day celebrations. Canada Day at Swangard Stadium also features games and activities, a family zone, exhibitors and sponsor tents, prize draws, food trucks, and spectacular fireworks.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 4:30 to 10 pm
Where: Swangard Stadium – 3883 Imperial Street, Burnaby
Admission: Free

Canada Day at Edmonds Plaza and Park

What: It’s a fun day of free family activities, face painting, music, arts and crafts, cake, multi-cultural entertainment, and more. Inside Edmonds Community Centre there will be a youth soccer tournament from 12 to 2 pm, and a loonie swim from 11 am to 3 pm.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 11 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Edmonds Plaza and Park – 7433 Edmonds Street, Burnaby
Admission: Free

Canada Day at the Burnaby Village Museum

Canada Day Parade/Burnaby Village Museum

What: Burnaby Village Museum offers visitors the backdrop of its 1920s village streets for multi-cultural family entertainment, heritage games for kids, displays and demos, an official parade, cupcakes, and more.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 11 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Free

New Westminster

Canada Day at Queen’s Park

What: Come kick off summer with a day full of fun free Canada Day celebrations for the whole family. Enjoy a variety of family-friendly games, crafts, entertainment and tasty snacks all within New Westminster’s beautiful Queens Park. Come and splash in the spray park, visit the farm, and enjoy all the festivities. Live performances by GinaLina, Seabillys, and Disco Funeral.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Queen’s Park Bandshell, New Westminster
Admission: Free

New Westminster Multicultural Festival

What: Celebrate diversity on Canada Day at the New Westminster Multicultural Festival with cultural presentations from various communities. A fun-filled day of singing, dancing, music, entertainment, food and games.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 1 to 8 pm
Where: Westminster Pier Park – 1 6th St, New Westminster
Admission: Free

Hyack Canada Day Festival and Fireworks

What: The Hyack Festival Association is hosting the Canada Day Festival and Fireworks presented by River Market at the New Westminster Quay. With musical and cultural entertainment for all ages, stage presentations and live bands, a market with artisans and exhibitors (1 to 8 pm), food and drinks, chances to win prizes and create beautiful memories, this is the perfect place to bring your family for Canada Day. At 10 pm, be prepared for a dazzling display of pyrotechnics that will light up the sky over the Fraser River.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 12 to 11 pm
Where: 810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
Admission: Free

Surrey

Canada Day at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre

Canada Day/City of Surrey

What: The Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre will have a plethora of Canada Day activities, including amusement rides, food trucks, live performances by Bif Naked and Our Lady Peace, rodeo zone and kids zone, and more. The event wraps up with a massive fireworks display at dusk.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: Bill Reid Millenium Amphitheatre – 17728 64 Ave, Surrey
Admission: Free

White Rock

Canada Day by the Bay

What: Head to the Annual Canada Day by the Bay celebration at West Beach (Bayview Park and Memorial Park) in White Rock and enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities. Live music, kids zone, and fireworks at the end of the night.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 10:30 pm
Where: White Rock Beach
Admission: Free

Delta

Canada Day at Diefenbaker Park

What: Enjoy face painting and crafts, live music, community booths, a huge Canada Day cake, and more at Canada Day at Diefenbaker Park.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Diefenbaker Park – 5579 1 Ave, Delta
Admission: Free

Canada Day at Kirkland House

What: Come Canada’s birthday in a venue steeped in real Canadian history. Join Kirkland House for some free, old-fashioned family fun on their annual Canada Day celebrations. Featuring an array of activities and attractions that make for a great day out.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 12 to 4 pm
Where: Kirkland House – 4140 Arthur Drive, Ladner
Admission: Free

Canada Day at Chalmers Park

What: Enjoy children’s activities, BBQ and food vendors, live music, an official ceremony, and fireworks at the end of the evening.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 5:30 to 10:45 pm
Where: Chalmers Park – 11400 76A Avenue, North Delta
Admission: Free

Tri-Cities

Canada Day at Rocky Point Park

What: The City of Port Moody invites residents and visitors to a Canada Day celebration featuring free entertainment and activities for all ages, including live music, a community art project, Canada Day ceremony, and a giant inflatable slide.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: 2800 Block Murray Street, Port Moody
Admission: Free

Golden Spike Days Festival

Golden Spike Days Festival

Golden Spike Days Festival / Facebook

What: The Golden Spike Days Festival is one of the oldest and longest running family events in BC. The festival is held at Rocky Point Park around Canada Day, attracting upwards of 40,000 people of all walks of life with live entertainment, special events and activities for all ages.

When: Friday, June 28 to Monday, July 1, 2019
Time: 6 to 11 pm (Friday), 11 am to 11 pm (Saturday and Sunday), 11 am to 6 pm (Monday)
Where: Rocky Point Park – 2800 block Murray Street, Port Moody
Admission: By donation

Canada Day at Lions Park

What: Start your day with a hot stack of pancakes at the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast. After breakfast, kids 10 and under can take part in the Annual Fishing Derby, casting a line in the Coquitlam River for fun and prizes.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 8 to 11 am
Where: Lions Park – 2300 Lions Way, Port Coquitlam Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free

Canada Day at Castle Park

What: The event features children’s activities, local talent showcase, food vendors and salmon BBQ, a beer garden hosted by Taylight Brewingcommunity marketplace, music by Hickelstock, Western Jaguar, Disco Funeral, Destineak, and The Darby Mills Project, and more. Then grab a blanket and top the day off with Grande finale pyro musical featuring the music of all female Canadian artists at dusk.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 12 to 10 pm
Where: Castle Park – at Citadel Drive, Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free

Canada Day at Town Centre Park

What: Kicking off at noon, the celebration will feature family-friendly live music and dance on two stages, food trucks, children’s entertainment, youth activities, arts and crafts, craft beverages and site-wide licensing, community displays, vendors, and fireworks over Lafarge Lake at nightfall.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 12 to 10:30 pm. Fireworks at 10 pm
Where: Town Centre Park – 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Admission: Free

Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge

Canada Day at Spirit Square

higher education

Canadian Flag/Shutterstock

What: The annual festival begins with the popular Lions Club pancake breakfast and activities continue throughout the day. Join the fun with stage entertainment, artisan market, kids zone, stilt walkers, pony rides, dog show and entertainment, food trucks and more. There will also be a car show & shine in the parking lot behind Pitt Meadows Elementary

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 8 am to 3 pm
Where: Spirit Square – 11985 Harris Rd, Pitt Meadows
Admission: Free

Canada Day in Maple Ridge

What: Catch headliners The Matinee, Odds and Taylor James rocking on the Main Stage and some of very talented local performers and a multicultural fashion show on the Community Star Stage. The Family Stage will focus on entertainment for the young snf young at heart. The celebration includes the Farmers Market, an artisan market, a water spray and play area, food trucks, pony rides, roving entertainers, games, a community BBQ and more. As the day wraps up it will be all eyes to the sky to watch the flyover finale and to sing Happy Birthday.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Memorial Peace Park – 22407 Dewdney Trunk Rd, Maple Ridge; The ACT Arts Centre – 11944 Haney Pl, Maple Ridge
Admission: Free

Langley

Canada Day at Fort Langley

Fort Langley National Historic Site

Image: Fort Langley National Historic Site / Facebook

What: Celebrate Canada’s birthday at the site where British Columbia was born. Enjoy multicultural music, cake and ceremony at noon and family activities all day on site and at the neighbouring museums. Also check out Fort Langley Makers Market.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Fort Langley National Historic Site – 23433 Mavis Ave, Langley City
Admission: Free

Willoughby Canada Day

What: Celebrate Canada Day in Willoughby with the Township of Langley. Located at Willoughby Community Park, adjacent to the Langley Events Centre, this free, family-oriented event features live musical performances and entertainment, a spray park, playground, and food trucks. A Kids’ Zone will keep youngsters busy with face painting, arts and crafts, mini golf, community vendors, games, and inflatables.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Willoughby Community Park – 7782 200 St, Langley City
Admission: Free

Abbotsford

Abbotsford’s Canada Day Parade and Festivities

What: Start your Abbotsford Canada Day with a fun community parade, then head to Abbotsford Exhibition Park for food trucks, live entertainment, hayrides, fireworks, and more.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 11 am to 10:30 pm
Where: Parade starts at South Fraser Way and Borquin; Festivities will be at Abbotsford Exhibition Park – 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford
Admission: Free

Chilliwack

Canada Day at Townsend Park

What: Start your Canada Day off with the Sardis Kiwanis Club Annual Pancake Breakfast at Evergreen Hall (9291 Corbould St.) or the Chilliwack Fire Department Pancake Breakfast (45950 Cheam Avenue)
at 8 am. Then enjoy a full day of family-friendly activities at Townsend Park, followed by musical performances and fireworks in the evening.

When: July 1, 2019
Time: 8 am (pancake breakfast), 11 am to 10:30 pm
Where: Townsend Park – 45130 Wolfe Road, Chilliwack
Admission: Free. Pancake breakfast a nominal charge with proceeds going to charity

Daniel ChaiDaniel Chai

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