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Sports-themed 'Champions' fireworks by Team Quebec set for the second night of the Honda Celebration of Light

Kenneth Chan
Kenneth Chan
|
Jul 21 2025, 7:50 pm
Sports-themed 'Champions' fireworks by Team Quebec set for the second night of the Honda Celebration of Light
Team Yukon's preparations for the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks, as seen on July 18, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

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Team Quebec will take to the night skies over English Bay this Wednesday, July 23, for the second fireworks show of the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light.

Representing La Belle Province is Royal Pyrotechnie, a pyrotechnics company based near Montreal.

Yanick Roy, president and artistic director of Royal Pyrotechnie, told Daily Hive his team has created a “Champions” sports-themed fireworks show.

He says spectators can expect a “high-energy” display celebrating iconic athletes and the spirit of sportsmanship — all driven by epic sports pageantry theme music, with “rousing rhythms” from hockey, baseball, football, racing, and the Olympic Games.

“Champions will be celebrated like heroes, showcasing strength, skill, and discipline in a glorious fireworks display. Whether you’re a fervent supporter, a stadium superfan, or just a lover of the game, come experience the spirit of sportsmanship at its peak. Get ready for a tailgate party with champions!” Roy told Daily Hive.

“This dazzling spectacle of rockets, mines, comets, and other stunning effects will play out like a team game with one goal: WIN!”

honda celebration of light vancouver fireworks barge 2025 yukon

Team Yukon’s preparations for the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks, as seen on July 18, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Royal Pyrotechnie’s roots go all the way back to 1966, when its founder began selling small firecrackers to toy stores. Just a year later, they staged their first fireworks show at Montreal’s Expo ’67 World’s Fair.

The company now produces over 500 fireworks shows annually, and has become a leading importer of pyrotechnic products in Canada for both general consumer and professional uses.

Royal Pyrotechnie last competed in the Honda Celebration of Light in 2017, when they had the honour of representing Team Canada during that year’s nation-wide Canada 150 anniversary celebrations. For that year, the company staged a “Legends of Fire” theme for its Vancouver fireworks show.

Since then, the Quebec-based team has delivered several standout competition-based performances on the international stage, including opening the annual Montreal International Fireworks Festival at La Ronde in June 2024 and earning third place at the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition in March 2025.

Relive Royal Pyrotechnie’s Team Canada performance at the 2017 Honda Celebration of Light:

For the first time in the event’s 33-year history, the Canadian national anthem will be played across English Bay ahead of each fireworks show during all three nights of the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light. The move marks a symbolic shift as organizers pivot to an all-Canadian competition this year, departing from the festival’s traditional three-country format.

Kelly Guille, the president of Winnipeg-based Archangel Fireworks and the fireworks director of the Honda Celebration of Light, says he was given a direction by event producer BrandLive to change up the typical international competition format into an all-Canadian duel.

“Politically, Canada Strong and everything else made a lot of sense,” Guille told Daily Hive last week, noting that there is typically very significant interest from numerous Canadian pyrotechnic companies to represent Team Canada at the Honda Celebration of Light.

“There are so many companies that say, ‘Can I be Team Canada?’ But Team Canada is only on once maybe every three years or so? This was a huge opportunity for me to be able to showcase companies that I’ve worked with across Canada, and we really have them spread out in representation — it’s coast to coast to coast,” continued Guille.

Roy added, “We believe that the theme of sports is unifying. In Canada, we are proud supporters. The music will be inspiring and dynamic. We want to convey positive emotions.”

The 2025 Honda Celebration of Light kicked off this past Saturday, July 19, with Team Yukon, represented by Midnight Sun Fireworks, and their theme of “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.” The final show is set for this Saturday, July 26, when Team Nova Scotia, represented by Fireworks FX, takes to the skies.

For all three nights, the exact same “Proudly Canadian” drone show by Vancouver-based Pixel Sky Animations, featuring 400 drones, will be the warmup act, starting at 10 p.m. This BC Honda Dealers Drone Show includes an energetic countdown to the start of the fireworks.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds air show will also return to the Honda Celebration of Light for just one more night this year on Wednesday, July 23, starting at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Expect warmer weather this Wednesday evening compared to the first show. At the time of writing, the forecast calls for clear skies and a temperature of 22°C, but with humidity, it will feel like 25°C. Very low winds of up to 6 km/h are in the forecast.

For those planning to claim a spot on the beach early, be mindful of the tides and avoid setting up too close to the water. High tide will reach its peak at 7:01 p.m.

Honda Celebration of Light Vancouver fireworks 2025

  • Schedule and provinces:
    • Saturday, July 19: Team Yukon – Midnight Sun Fireworks
      • With pre-fireworks Snowbirds Air Show and BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
    • Wednesday, July 23: Team Quebec – Royal Pyrotechnie
      • With pre-fireworks Snowbirds Air Show and BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
    • Saturday, July 26: Team Nova Scotia – Fireworks FX
      • With BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
  • Nightly schedule:
    • CF Snowbirds Air Show: 6:30 p.m. on July 19 and 23
    • BC Honda Dealers Drone Show: 10 p.m. on July 19, 23, and 26
    • Fireworks: 10:15 p.m., rain or shine. Music simulcasts can be heard on radio station CFMI Rock 101.
  • Location: English Bay, Vancouver

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2025 Honda Celebration of Light

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