Port Day at Canada Place in Vancouver is a free, family-friendly celebration of BC’s maritime community with live music, exhibits, interactive zones and demos.
Port Day at Canada Place
An annual event presented by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Port Day celebrates the local maritime community. With live performances, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, the event offers something for everyone. Families, students and visitors can explore Canada’s maritime heritage while enjoying an educational day by the waterfront.
Whether you’re drawn to the live music, eager to try out simulators, or simply looking for an affordable family outing by the sea, Port Day is a chance to learn about the port and Canada’s maritime industries.
Where and When is Port Day?
Last year the event took place on the last Saturday in September. In 2026, however, it happens on August 29th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The event is always at Canada Place. Activities happen both indoors and outdoors with different zones set up for live entertainment, interactive booths and family-friendly fun. Thousands of people usually attend the free event which celebrates its seventh year in 2026.
What to Expect at Port Day
The day starts with activities that showcase Canada’s maritime community. At the North Point Stage, visitors can enjoy live performances. Artists last year included Wyper & Parker and Big Easy Funk Ensemble. The headlining band was going to be Hey Ocean, but then got changed to The Boom Booms. The lineup in 2026 will likely be comparable, but with exact details to be confirmed.
The Waterfront Community Zone features over 20 interactive booths from organizations like the Canadian Coast Guard, Jericho Sailing Centre and DP World Vancouver. The zone offers a chance to learn, explore and see the maritime community in action. The Family Zone, meanwhile, has bouncy castles, crawling gyms, games and rescue vessel simulators from BC Ferries and information about Ocean Wise Seafood.
One of the day’s main attractions is the Marine Demonstrations which happen at the North Point. Attendees can watch as vessels and crews put on an exciting display of skill and safety on Burrard Inlet. Visitors can also stop by the Maritime Career Zone to learn about opportunities in Canada’s marine sector and connect with various marine-related organizations. Also, visitors last year could enter for a chance to win a seven-day Alaskan cruise for two, courtesy of Holland America Line.
Live Entertainment Schedule
Port Day at Canada Place features an afternoon of live music and performances on the North Point Stage. Below was the schedule last year (and the lineup in 2026 will be comparable).
- 12:00 pm — Event Opening and Musqueam Indigenous Welcome
- 12:20 pm — Josephine Walker
- 1:15 pm — Wyper & Parker
- 2:00 pm — Opening Ceremony
- 2:20 pm — Big Easy Funk Ensemble
- 3:40 pm — The Boom Booms
Other Information
See the Canada Place website for more information about this event.
Check out our article about Canada Place & the Vancouver Convention Centre to learn about the venue and other events that happen there.
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