Snowbirds ready to soar over Vancouver for Honda Celebration of Light
There will be even more reasons to look to the sky during this year’s Honda Celebration of Light when the Snowbirds are back in town.
The iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds will perform special air shows over English Bay on Saturday, July 19 and Wednesday, July 23.
According to Captain Philip Rochon, Public Affairs Officer with the Snowbirds, the West Coast is always a special destination for the squadron.
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“We love connecting with Canadians wherever we go, but we are excited to fly in Vancouver,” said Rochon. “Between the mountains, the skyline, and the incredible energy of the beach crowds, it’s a stunning venue to fly over.
The Royal Canadian Air Forces’ famed aerobatic troupe, officially known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, were formed in 1971 in Moose Jaw, Sask., and became a permanent unit. There are currently 31 members of the Canadian Armed Forces who wear the Snowbirds uniform.
“The Snowbirds mean different things to different people,” explained Rochon. “For some, it’s the precision and grace of our formation flying. For others, it’s the music, the solos, or a moment shared during a meet-and-greet.
“What matters most to us is the connection we make with Canadians. Being considered a symbol of our country is a huge honour, but it’s those personal moments with fans, especially the ones that spark a dream in someone, that truly matter.”
Merrill Dyck/Shutterstock
The hundreds of thousands watching at English Bay and the surrounding areas will enjoy the Snowbirds 2025 performance, a 15–20 minute display featuring nine CT-114 Tutor jets flying in tight formation, just feet apart.
The awe-inspiring aerial show will feature multiple formation changes, thrilling passes, and carefully choreographed sequences.
A curated soundtrack, composed of song suggestions from the team, will accompany the show, reflecting the personalities of the Snowbirds members and enhancing the visual experience. There will also be a live narration by the team’s Advance and Safety Pilot to help guide the audience through what they’re seeing in the sky.
“We’re honoured to be part of the Honda Celebration of Light and can’t wait to take to the skies over Vancouver,” added Rochon. “We hope to give fans a memorable performance — and we’ll be looking down for those waves from the fans on the beach as we fly by.”
BC Honda Dealers Drone Show at the 2024 Honda Celebration of Light. (Kenneth Chan)
In addition to the Snowbirds, organizers told Daily Hive that this year’s BC Honda Dealers Drone Show will feature a spectacular fleet of 400 drones — double the number used in the Honda Celebration of Light’s inaugural drone show in 2024, which featured 200 drones.
It will also be up to triple the length, extending to 15 minutes compared to last year’s drone show duration of about five minutes.
Honda Celebration of Light fireworks 2025
- Schedule and provinces:
- Saturday, July 19: Yukon – Team Midnight Sun
- With pre-fireworks Snowbirds Air Show and BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
- Wednesday, July 23: Quebec – Team Royal Pyrotechnie
- With pre-fireworks Snowbirds Air Show and BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
- Saturday, July 26: Nova Scotia – Team Fireworks FX
- With BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
- Saturday, July 19: Yukon – Team Midnight Sun
- Nightly schedule:
- CF Snowbirds Air Show: 6:30 p.m.
- BC Honda Dealers Drone Show: 10 p.m.
- Fireworks: 10:15 p.m., rain or shine. Music simulcasts can be heard on radio station CFMI Rock 101.
- Location: English Bay, Vancouver
With files from Kenneth Chan
Daily Hive Vancouver is a proud media Partner of the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light
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