Douglas Day is an event in Fort Langley that marks the day when Sir James Douglas proclaimed British Columbia to be a colony at the fort in 1858.
The event takes place annually at Fort Langley National Historic Site in autumn. It’s an opportunity to commemorate James Douglas’ multicultural legacy and celebrate with a variety of arts, food, music and dance. The event used to be called “Douglas Day.” Now, though, it’s called James Douglas: A Multicultural Legacy.
In 2025 the event happens on Sunday, September 21st. For more details about the event, visit the Parks Canada Fort Langley website or continue reading below.
This article contains the following information about Douglas Day at Fort Langley:
James Douglas: A Multicultural Legacy | Admission Prices | Schedule of Events | Food Trucks | Other Information
James Douglas: A Multicultural Legacy
The historic fort in the community of Fort Langley hosts several events throughout the year including Vive les Voyageurs in late winter, National Indigenous Peoples Day and Hawaiian Luau celebrations in spring, Brigade Days in the summer and Grave Tales Walking Tours around Halloween. The national historic site also hosts “James Douglas: A Multicultural Legacy” in the fall.
In previous years, Douglas Day used to take place at the fort in November, on or close to the same day that Sir James Douglas became the first governor of British Columbia in 1858. The historic moment took place at Fort Langley, which is also why yearly celebrations still occur in the area.
Since last year, the event now takes place in September, which is a couple months earlier than in the past. The 2025 event happens on Sunday, September 21st. As always, the Douglas Day celebrations are held at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. The attraction’s address is 23422 Mavis Avenue. It’s about a 45-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.
Born in South America, Douglas had a multicultural background. To reflect this, at the event at the fort, there are activities from different cultures to enjoy.
James Douglas: A Multicultural Legacy
The newly-named event focuses on commemorating James Douglas’ multicultural legacy through a day of celebrating Black, Scottish, Métis and First Nations arts, food, music and dance. This is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the role people with varied backgrounds have had in shaping Canada’s current rich and diverse cultural landscape.
Sir James Douglas was sworn in as BC’s first governor at Fort Langley during the reading of the proclamation on November 19th, 1858. A long-time Hudson Bay Company employee, Douglas came from a multicultural background. He was born in South America, in Guyana, to a Scottish father and a Creole mother. Later in life, as an adult, Douglas married a Métis woman, Amelia Connolly. He started his career as an apprentice and worked his way up, creating a lasting impact and legacy of multiculturalism in BC.
Fort Langley National Historic Site aims to reflect the rich and varied heritage of Canada and this event provides an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history.
Admission Prices
Admission to the Douglas Day event is free with general admission to the Fort Langley National Historic Site. Ticket prices as of late August, 2025, are as follows:
- Adults (ages 18 to 64): $9
- Seniors (ages 65 and above): $7.50
- Youth (ages 17 and under): Free
People with annual passes to the Fort get in for free. Access to all Douglas Day demonstrations, live entertainment and activities is free with admission.
Schedule of Events
The 2025 festivities run from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm on Sunday, September 21st. This year’s schedule of events and entertainment is below.
- 10:30 am – Weaving Demonstration with Hazel Gludo
- 11:00 am – Prickly Thistles String Ensemble (Performance)
- 11:30 am – Steel Pan Drumming with Robert Davies
- 12:00 pm – Curator’s Corner in the Big House
- 12:15 pm – Fort Langley Voyageurs Scottish Country Dance Club (Interactive Dance Performance)
- 12:30 pm – Fort 101 in the Big House
- 1:00 pm – Blacksmith Demonstration
- 2:00 pm – The Three Women in Sir James Douglas’ Life (A Guyanese Association Presentation)
- 2:30 pm – Fort 101 in the Storehouse
- 3:00 pm – Curator’s Corner in the Big House
- 3:15 pm – Fort Langley Voyageurs Scottish Country Dance Club (Interactive Dance Performance)
- 3:30 pm – Blacksmith Demonstration
- 4:00 pm – Gold Panning Station (Presentation)
Throughout the day, everyone can also play ‘ulu-Maika, which is a Hawaiian game. There are a couple of community booths to visit as well.
Food Trucks
There is sometimes food available for purchase at the Douglas Day event. In some years the food is from one specific culture, which is great for people wanting to taste flavours from a different part of the world.
Last year’s event offered fusion dishes inspired by Caribbean and Indigenous cultures. For example, there was Jerk Chicken Bannock Tacos. There was also Pineapple Lemonade with Indian Ice Cream. Details about food trucks in 2025 are to be confirmed.
Other Information
For full details about the event, visit the Parks Canada Fort Langley website.
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Examples of other events hosted at the historic site include the following:
- Vive les Voyageurs French Canadian Festival in January
- Hawaiian Luau in May
- National Indigenous Peoples Day in June
- Canada Day in July
- Brigade Days in August
- Fort Langley International Ukulele Festival in September
- Fort Langley Cranberry Festival in October
- Grave Tales Walking Tours in October
