Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver fireworks returns for countdown to 2019

One of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Canada, the fireworks spectacle on the Coal Harbour waterfront in downtown Vancouver on this auspicious night sees an attendance of over 100,000 people.

Returning for its fourth consecutive year, Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver’s celebration is promising dazzling fireworks shows, a free outdoor street party at Jack Poole Plaza, and an extravagant premium indoor party held inside Vancouver Convention Centre West.

Fireworks at Concord New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society)

“We couldn’t be happier to be able to throw another amazing party in the heart of the downtown core, and could not have done it without the help of our generous sponsors who truly believe in the inclusive, vibrant spirit of this event,” said Dani Pretto, Chair of the Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society (VNYECS), the non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that organizes the event.

VNYECS is comprised of a number of local businesses and organizations, including the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, Port of Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver, Starbucks, Boughton Law, Vanterre Projects Corp., BDO, and Daily Hive.

“This event is one of downtown Vancouver’s only free outdoor celebrations, and we plan on including even more interactive events for the public to enjoy, but we also have plenty of engaging activations lined up for the ticketed indoor party this year. It’s not to be missed,” added Pretto.

Outdoor Party at Concord New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society)

Concord Pacific Developments has returned as the festival’s title sponsor, further cementing the company’s commitment to contributing to the city’s character, culture, and fun.

“We’re so proud to support the Greater Vancouver community and to return as the title sponsor for the fourth year in a row,” said Matt Meehan, Senior Vice President of Concord Pacific Developments.

“The event has grown and evolved so much over the years. We can’t wait for all to experience the new activations in store along the waterfront and the fun for all ages programming at Concord’s Countdown Central in the convention centre.”

Outdoor Party at Concord New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society)

This year, VYNECS’ celebration is produced by PRP, the same award-winning production company behind the opening and closing ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, 2010 Olympic Winter Games festivities at Robson Square, all of the entertainment programming at The Fair at the PNE since 1993, and eight consecutive CFL Grey Cup halftime shows including the Edmonton 2018 game.

Two huge fireworks shows and an outdoor street party

Jack Poole Plaza and Canada Place Way will be transformed into an electric village of live music, roaming street performers, and marching bands. It will also be the site of Vancouver’s largest wintertime food truck festival, with nearly 20 of the city’s finest food trucks converging in one location.

Food Truck Festival at Concord New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society)

The main attraction of the night is, of course, the fireworks.

Two massive fireworks shows will be launched from a barge in Coal Harbour; the first five-minute show beginning at 9 pm is ideal for families with younger children who may nod off earlier, while the 10-minute grand finale starting at precisely the stroke of midnight will provide an intense, spectacular kick off for 2019.

Both fireworks are synchronized to a musical soundtrack, with the midnight fireworks broadcast live on 102.7 The PEAK FM radio station.

Fireworks at last year’s Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver)

Vancouver’s only indoor NYE party with fireworks

While the fireworks are free to enjoy from outdoor locations, the bulk of the festival’s entertainment is at the Concord Countdown Central Indoor Party held inside the beautiful West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Indoor Party at Concord New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society)

A significant infusion of new entertainment and programming has been added to this year’s indoor party, which will be the largest indoor NYE party in Vancouver.

There will also be musical guests performing on The Peak Stage inside the grand West Ballroom, with plenty of surprise guests and entertainment throughout the night and even hourly countdowns to build the excitement to midnight.

Indoor Party at Concord New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society)

Expect non-stop live music, expansive interactive art installations and experiential attractions throughout the space, and bar service.

The Concord Countdown Central Indoor Party provides the comfort and warmth of an indoor venue, including indoor fireworks viewing through the convention centre ballroom’s floor-to-ceiling, four-storey high windows. It is also the only indoor NYE party with fireworks.

In fact, the fireworks barge is strategically positioned to provide revellers at the Indoor Party with the best views of the fireworks shows.

Fireworks views from the Indoor Party at Concord New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Vancouver New Year’s Eve Celebration Society)

Celebration Pass tickets are required to enter this all-ages indoor party, and adult revellers can even bring their children ages seven and under inside for free.

For those looking to elevate their indoor party experience, a 19+ adults-only VIP Pass is also available. This year’s VIP experience, which includes everything Celebration Pass offers, has been completely revamped to provide guests with an even more ritzy experience:

• 19+ adults-only VIP Lounge relocated to a new exclusive and enhanced space on the second level of Vancouver Convention Centre West
• New endless catered buffet of savoury canapés
• Premium VIP bar
• Live music entertainment inside the VIP Lounge, with exclusive NYE performances by The Paperboys and Groove Tonic
• Prime viewing area for the fireworks
• Complimentary glass of premium champagne for the midnight toast
• Expedited VIP entrance and free coat check

Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver: Countdown to 2019