Here's how to get ready for B.C.'s busiest long weekend this summer
With the B.C. Day long weekend fast approaching, residents can expect it to be extremely busy both in and out of Vancouver.
In Vancouver, the City is hosting its “Summer Lights in English Bay” on Friday, July 31, which will close several roads. Further, the Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) are hosting a packed lineup of events from Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, Aug. 2, including the Pride Parade.
And if you’re planning to travel outside the city, BC Ferries, the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the B.C. government are all urging you to plan ahead.
“B.C. Day long weekend is historically our busiest travel weekend of the year,” said a spokesperson for BC Ferries in an email to Daily Hive.
“We know how important the B.C. Day long weekend is for families, visitors and the communities we serve. We appreciate our customers planning and checking conditions before travelling.”
The ferry service said that during the same weekend last year, their major routes carried about 130,000 vehicles and over 405,000 passengers. They are expecting similar demand this year.
The spokesperson added that demand this year has been “extremely strong,” and that “advance vehicle bookings on our busiest routes and sailings are now essentially sold out for the long weekend.”
If you are hoping to travel on a ferry with a vehicle but haven’t booked in advance, you should expect long wait times and possibly having to travel on a later sailing, if space is available.
“At this stage, if you’re still planning a trip this weekend, walking on as a foot passenger is your best option. Foot passengers can generally board their preferred sailing without a reservation and continue to be accommodated on many of our major routes,” the spokesperson said.
They further recommend that you avoid driving your own vehicle to the terminal, since their terminal lots also might fill up quickly over the long weekend.
Instead, they advise that you take public transit, the BC Ferries Connector, or make an arrangement to be dropped off at the terminal. They also recommend that you visit the BC Ferries Current Conditions webpage to find up-to-date sailing updates and information on your terminal.
Further, for people travelling on the route from Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo’s Departure Bay, all vehicle customers are required to have a reservation and to have paid in advance.
YVR will be busy too
Vancouver International Airport and SkyTrain’s YVR Airport Station. (Kenneth Chan)
If you’re planning on jet-setting this weekend, you can also expect Vancouver’s International Airport (YVR) to be buzzing.
In a YVR Insider, they said that they expect B.C. Day Long Weekend “to be its busiest long weekend of the season,” forecasting 340,400 travellers from Friday, July 31 to Aug. 3.
Before coming to the airport, YVR is asking people to check their flight status with the airport and at yvr.ca. They also advise that people prebook their parking beforehand.
Overall, it has been a record-breaking year for the airport. They are expecting an average of 85,300 travellers daily between June 12 and Sept. 8, for a total of 7.6 million in that duration — a 13 per cent increase from 2025.
Plan ahead for road trips
BC Wildfire Service
The B.C. government has also issued a press release ahead of the upcoming weekend, reminding people that there are currently nearly 130 active wildfires across the province.
“Plan and check road conditions before heading out as roads throughout B.C. may be busier than usual during the long weekend or affected by wildfires,” the news release reads.
The release also reminds people to be aware of campfire restrictions, with campfires restricted through most of southern B.C.
If campfires are allowed, they stress the importance of taking precautions, including keeping the fire small, not having one if it’s windy, using a proper fire pit, having water and a shovel nearby, and ensuring the area around the campfire is clear of trees, shrubs, structures, and debris.
“Do not leave a campfire unattended for any amount of time and make sure it is completely out, including checking that ashes are cool before leaving or going to sleep.”
If you see a fire, the Province asks that you report it right away through the BC Wildfire Service app or by calling 1-800-663-5555 (toll-free) or *5555 on a cellphone.