Summer isn’t quite summer in Vancouver without attending at least one of the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks displays. Want to avoid the English Bay mob? We recommend one of the spots below for a new viewing experience.

Check out the schedule and participating countries for this year’s displays.

Where to Watch the Celebration of Light Fireworks in Vancouver

Where to Watch the Celebration of Light Fireworks

By Vancity Buzz

Summer isn’t quite the same without attending at least one of the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks displays. Want to avoid the English Bay mob? Stop by one of the spots below for a new experience.

• Burrard Street Bridge

  By Vancity Buzz

  Not into spending hours in the sand waiting for the show to start? Walk across the bridge just prior to showtime, stop, and take in the view.

• Dundarave Beach

  By Vancity Buzz

  Don’t want to brave the downtown core during one of the busiest nights of the summer? Hunker down at Dundarave Beach in West Van—still a busy spot, but try to snag a spot on the pier!

• Bard On The Beach Shakespeare Festival

  By Vancity Buzz

  Track down tickets to one their “Bard-B-Q” & fireworks nights which feature one of their Shakespearean plays, dinner, and of course, a firework spectacular—a private viewing!

• Vanier Park

  By Vancity Buzz

  Lay back on the grass and listen to the radio broadcast played on loud speakers. Almost as busy as English Bay, so come early, and be prepared to beeline to the 99 to get out (or back into) Kitsilano.

• Sylvia Hotel, Restaurant and Lounge

  By Vancity Buzz

  Enjoy a drink and watch the fireworks while avoiding the huge crowd on the beach. This old gem of a hotel is a great place to experience the lit up sky if you’re looking for something romantic!

• A boat

  By Vancity Buzz

  If you’re lucky enough to have a boat (or a friend with one!) get on the water and enjoy the show from a whole new perspective. Feeling gutsy? Hop in a kayak and check it out.

• Kitsilano Beach

  By Vancity Buzz

  Another busy beach, but this spot will help you avoid the hustle and bustle of downtown. Not into parking it in the sand? Try to snag a spot at the Boathouse Restaurant or the grass.

As the public make their way down to popular viewing points throughout the West End and Kitsilano, taking transit, walking or cycling are the best ways to navigate the crowds and avoid street closures.

Motor vehicle access restrictions will be in effect beginning at 6:30pm for Kits Point and 7:30pm for the West End. Only residents with parking decals for the neighbourhood or with vehicle registration displaying a neighbourhood address will be allowed access.

If walking, pedestrian exit routes will be posted in the West End. Use:

• Burnaby Street to access the Burrard and Waterfront Stations
• Beach Avenue to access Yaletown Station
• Guilford Street to access Georgia Street bus routes

Complimentary bike valet at Sunset Beach will be available for those cycling, and boaters are reminded to follow safe boating guidelines and to carry their boating license at all times.

To help make the Honda Celebration of Light a zero waste event, recycling and garbage bins will be set-up on the beaches. All attendees are highly encouraged to pack-out what they pack-in, leaving Vancouver’s parks and beaches clean.

As a reminder, open alcohol is prohibited on Vancouver’s beaches, streets and parks, and beaches and parks are smoke-free. Attendees are also asked to respect the local residents by keeping noise levels to a minimum.

If meeting friends and family please use the beach marker signs placed along English Bay. Each sign has a large letter on it as a reference point. When leaving the fireworks, the crowds will be large and there’s little light, so set-up a place meeting place in case someone from your party gets lost.

When watching the fireworks from the beach, be aware of the tide schedule:

• July 26: High tide: 14.4 ft at 7:30pm
• July 30: High tide: 14.4 ft at 9:15pm
• August 2: High tide: 14.1 ft at 10:43pm

Signs will be posted along the beach to indicate where high tide will hit during each evening.