Honda Celebration of Light 2018 participating countries announced

English Bay in downtown Vancouver will once again be showered with fireworks for three nights this summer, as the 2018 Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition returns to the city.

Organizers announced this morning that the participating countries for the festival’s 28th year will be South Africa on July 28, Sweden on August 1, and South Korea on August 4.

New this year, all three of the participating countries will be required to incorporate the same theme into their fireworks display and musical accompaniment.

The theme, as voted by the public, will be “Love.”

“The Honda Celebration of Light truly lights up Vancouver by bringing people together with those they love to enjoy a festival of music, food, and culture throughout the day leading up to the breathtaking fireworks each night,” Paul Tilbury and Heather Owen, joint co-chairs of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, said in a joint statement. “The energy is electric throughout the three days.”

“People from all over come to Vancouver every summer for this spectacular festival,” BC Tourism Minister Lisa Beare said.

How to see the fireworks

At 10 pm each night, rain or shine, fireworks will be launched from a barge anchored in the middle of English Bay, providing views of the pyromusical from the shorelines at English Bay Beach, Sunset Beach, Stanley Park Seawall, Kitsilano Beach, and Vanier Park.

A music simulcast can be heard on on LG 104.3FM, as well as through the festival’s mobile app, which will be released this summer.

Attendees looking for a more comfortable and posh viewing experience of the fireworks can reserve a seat at the three-day summer festival with exclusive VIP and family-friendly viewing options of the fireworks with what are no doubt the best seats in the house.

Limited seats are available for the three ticketed viewing locations: The Keg Lounge, the Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk, and the YVR Observation Deck with new partner Air Canada included in the Observation Deck experience.

Back again for all three days, the Park Stage at Second Beach is a free family-friendly festival site featuring live music, food trucks, sponsor activations, a site-wide liquor license, and the REMAX Family Zone.

The event also welcomes back the Red Bull Air Show, a spectacular pre-show performance.

New this year, radio partner Z95.3 will be presenting Z-Fest on The Keg Lounge stage overlooking English Bay for 3 nights of music programming

Tickets are available this Friday, April 13, at 10 am, through the festival’s website.

Honda Celebration of Light fireworks 2018

Schedule and nations:

• Saturday, July 28: South Africa, represented by Fireworks for Africa
• Wednesday, August 1: Sweden, represented by Unique Pyrotechnic
• Saturday, August 4: South Korea, represented by Daehan Fireworks Co.

Time: 10 pm to 10:25 pm (25-minute duration each night). Rain or shine. Music simulcast on radio station LG 104.3 FM.

Location: English Bay, Vancouver

Tickets: On sale Friday, April 13, at 10 am, through the festival’s website.

See also

• Honda Celebration of Light 2018 fireworks dates announced
• Relive all three nights of the 2017 Honda Celebration of Light fireworks (VIDEOS)
• Japan wins 2017 Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition

Daily Hive Vancouver is a proud Media Partner of the 2018 Honda Celebration of Light