Parts of West End, Kitsilano neighbourhoods closed to traffic on fireworks night

As Vancouver prepares for its first fireworks night of the summer this Saturday, two neighbourhoods will be partly closed to vehicle traffic as thousands of people head to watch the Honda Celebration of Light.

The 2023 schedule kicks off on July 22, with Australia’s fireworks display starting at 10 pm and running until 10:25 pm from the barge at English Bay in the city’s West End. It’s free and visible from several areas around the city.

Folks heading to English Bay and Kits Point to watch the show will be better off walking, cycling, or taking the bus if possible. That’s because driving and finding parking in Vancouver is a big headache on fireworks nights. Several roads will also be closed to vehicle traffic in the evening both in Kitsilano and the West End.

⚠️ TRAFFIC ALERT – Celebration of Light

📍 Road closures throughout West End – Beach Ave, Denman St & Davie St
🕑 Sat July 22, 9 am to Midnight

👍 Transit, walking & cycling are the best options for getting to and from the fireworks!#VanTraffic https://t.co/1ZZgl1Mfnm pic.twitter.com/0x81Z0UVmD

— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) July 21, 2023

The road closures begin between 5 and 7 pm and include Davie, Denman, and Beach Avenue.

Access roads into Kits Point are closed around 6 pm.

The roads will reopen hopefully around 11 pm, but that’s depending on the crowd and if the police give it the okay for drivers to resume travelling safely in these spots.

“Residents will be allowed into the area at specific access points but must display a valid resident parking permit or recent proof of address. Please respect all parking notices to avoid having your vehicle towed as enforcement will be strict. Motorists are not permitted to stop on any city bridge to view the fireworks, as it is a serious safety and traffic flow concern,” the City said.

If you are driving, the Honda Celebration of Light recommends carpooling, arriving early, and being prepared to park far away from viewing areas.

You might also like:
• Extra public transit service for Honda Celebration of Light fireworks nights
• Honda Celebration of Light 2023 participating countries announced
• The best places to watch the Celebration of Light in Vancouver

For those who leave their cars at home, TransLink has plans to make trips on fireworks night more manageable, and you can follow them on social media for updates throughout the night.

During each of the three nights, the SkyTrain will operate at high frequencies every two to three minutes before and after the fireworks. Bikes will not be permitted on SkyTrain after 10:30 pm.

SeaBus sailings will be extended to frequencies of every 15 minutes from 9:15 pm to 11:15 pm and then every 30 minutes from 11:15 pm to 1:22 am.

Read more about how to get to the fireworks by transit here. 

Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks 2023

• Schedule and nations:
  • Saturday, July 22: Australia 🇦🇺, represented by Howard & Sons
    • With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
  • Wednesday, July 26: Mexico 🇲🇽, represented by Grupo Avacon
    • With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
  • Saturday, July 29: The Philippines 🇵🇭, represented by Blue Peacock
    • With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
• Time: 10 pm to 10:25 pm (25-minute duration each night). Rain or shine.
• Location: English Bay, Vancouver

Daily Hive is a Proud Media Partner of the
2023 Honda Celebration of Light