Canada Day parades, fireworks and other July 1st events happen in Vancouver, Chilliwack, Langley, North Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Burnaby and other locations.

More top venues include Vancouver’s Canada Place, West Vancouver’s John Lawson Park, and Surrey‘s Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre. Great events also happen at Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake, Rocky Point Park in Port Moody, and the list goes on.

To see what else happened on the long weekend of June 30th to July 3rd in 2023, see our article about What’s Happening This Weekend. Things you’ll find in that article include the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival and a number of other special events.

To learn about Canada Day festivities on July 1st in communities across the Lower Mainland, continue reading.

This article contains information about July 1st events in the following locations:

Canada Day Events in Greater Vancouver

Canada Day takes place on July 1st each year. On that date, throughout the Lower Mainland, there are celebrations of all kinds. There are pancake breakfasts, parades, live entertainment and fireworks.

To learn about all Canada Day events and activities in Metro Vancouver, see below. For information about where to see fireworks, in years when they are allowed to take place, click July 1st Fireworks.

Canada Day in North Vancouver

In 2023 Canada Day celebrations in North Vancouver happened at the Shipyards which is the same location as last year. In 2023 the event ran from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm and featured family-friendly activities and live entertainment.

If you plan to be on the North Shore on July 1st and want to celebrate Canada’s birthday, then the Shipyards is the place to be! What you’ll find there is a great event, at an awesome venue, and worth travelling to from elsewhere in the Lower Mainland!

Performing at the event this past year were Melanie Dekker, Blazing Eraz, Randy Swallow, Mostly Marley, the J.P. Fell Pipe Band, the Eagle Song Dancers (Spakwus Slolem) and Bitterly Divine.

Click North Vancouver Canada Day Celebrations for more information.

Canada Day in Langley

Canada Day events take place in both Langley municipalities.

Langley’s Canada Day Party happens in the downtown area of the City of Langley. Presented by Quarry Rock Developments, the event in 2023 ran from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on July 1st. There was live music by Sons of Stanley, as well as activities for children and a beer garden for adults. The event also offered a barbeque lunch with proceeds supporting a worthwhile cause.

The Township of Langley, meanwhile, offers Canada Day festivities at Aldergrove Athletic Park and venues in Fort Langley. The event at Aldergrove Athletic Park ran from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm in 2023. It featured live entertainment, mini golf, exhibitor booths and more.

In Fort Langley, a few activities happen at the BC Farm Museum. Canada Day is also recognized at the Fort Langley Historic Site where admission is usually free for the day. The festivities in the village, and at the fort, however, are not as extensive as they used to be pre-pandemic.

To learn more about the above events, see our articles about Canada Day in Langley City, Canada Day in Aldergrove Athletic Park and Canada Day in Fort Langley.

Canada Day at Canada Place

The area around Canada Place in downtown Vancouver is arguably one of the best (and busiest) places to be on July 1st. At least that’s the case most years.

The event at Canada Place used to be the second largest Canada Day celebration on the planet, next only to those in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. In a typical year there are live performances at Canada Place for much of the day, and thousands of people.

The event didn’t happen in 2020, and in 2021 celebrations happened in a virtual format. In 2022 the event returned with in-person activities at Canada Place and continued with in-person celebrations in 2023.

In 2023 “Canada Together” ran from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm on July 1st. The theme was “Weaving together the fabric of a nation.” There was plenty of live entertainment, food trucks and activities to enjoy. Performers in 2023 included Tegan & Sara, The Fugitives, Pat Chessell, Murray Porter, and many more.

Unfortunately, the fireworks displays that used to happen at Canada Place didn’t happen in 2022 and have since been permanently cancelled. It’s unlikely the fireworks will happen again in the future.

For details about what happens around Canada Place on July 1st, see our article about Canada Place on Canada Day.

TAIWANESE FESTIVAL ON CANADA DAY WEEKEND

In 2023 a festival celebrating Taiwanese culture took place from June 30th until July 8th. A lot of its activities happened on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Canada Day long weekend in downtown Vancouver. There were free outdoor performances and films, along with an art exhibition and more. This past year’s festival also featured three ticketed concerts to enjoy.

See our article about the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival for more details.

Canada Day at Granville Island

The area around Canada Place isn’t the only neighbourhood within the City of Vancouver where you’ll find free things to see and do on July 1st.

The Vancouver International Jazz Festival takes place during the week or so leading up to the July long weekend. Free Jazz concerts take place at Granville Island on various days during the festival, but especially so on July 1st itself. There are also street performers and various family-friendly activities.

There used to be a Canada Day parade on Granville Island, but not any more. In recent years, the neighbourhood doesn’t do so much for Canada Day, although there are still a few Jazz Festival performances and some activities. Check out our article about Free Jazz Festival Concerts to see when they are taking place.

To learn more, see our article about Granville Island on Canada Day.

Vancouver Boat Parties

Vancouver Boat Parties is a company that offers nightclub-style events on party boats at different times of the year. In 2023 there were three events happening on Saturday, July 1st. Two of the events took place at night. The third had a Latin theme and it started in the afternoon and finished in the early evening.

The Canada Day Yacht Party in 2023 took place on the Magic Spirit yacht from 8:00 pm until midnight. The Canada Day Dinner Cruise & Bollywood X Punjabi Boat Party, meanwhile, was on the Burrard Queen during the same time. A third event was the Canada Day & Latinx Brazilian Boat Party which happened on the Burrard Queen from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm. All three events were for people ages 19+.

To learn more about these events, see our article about Vancouver Boat Parties or visit vancouverboatparties.com.

In addition to the above, a different company also had a dinner cruise on July 1st in 2023. Vancouver Cruises hosted a Canada Day Yacht Party on the Abitibi between 8:00 pm and after midnight.

Canada Day in Abbotsford

Abbotsford’s 2023 Canada Day celebrations included a parade, outdoor concerts, festival activities and laser light show at Abbotsford Exhibition Park. In 2023 the parade started at 11:00 am. The festival ran from 1:00 pm until 10:00 pm and the light show happened at the very end.

In past years the festivities finished with fireworks, and that was originally the plan in 2023. Due to fire restrictions, however, the event had the laser show finale this past year instead.

Click Canada Day in Abbotsford for details.

Canada Day in Burnaby

Canada Day festivities in Burnaby usually take place at Burnaby Village Museum, Edmonds Community Centre and Swangard Stadium. In 2023, however, instead of Swangard Stadium, there were festivities and fireworks at Civic Square, Central Park and along Central Boulevard.

The Burnaby Village event ran from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm in 2023. It was both educational and fun, especially for families and children. Smaller and fairly simple kid-friendly celebrations also took place at 7433 Edmonds Street between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm.

In 2023, there were also free concerts and other activities in and around Central Park from 6:30 pm to 10:15 pm. The night concluded with fireworks.

See Canada Day in Burnaby for more details on activities at each venue.

JULY 1ST BOAT PARTIES

An extra fun way to celebrate Canada Day is on a boat party cruise. A number of them happened on July 1st in 2023. In 2023 there was also a Latin-themed one that was part of Carnaval del Sol’s Latin American Experience series of events on July 15th in 2023.

See our article about Canada Day Boat Parties for details about events on July 1st. Click Fiesta Blanca Cruise for information about the event on July 15th.

Canada Day in Chilliwack

Chilliwack‘s main Canada Day celebrations happen at Townsend Park. In 2023 the July 1st festivities ran from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm.

The event featured live music, activity booths and a beer garden for adults. There was also an area for kids with plenty of things to do. Children could enjoy face painting, balloon twisting and birdhouse building. There was also a parkour course and photo booth, along with yoga sessions and food trucks. The event ended with a grand finale starting at 10:05 pm.

See our article about Canada Day in Chilliwack to learn more.

Canada Day in Coquitlam

Coquitlam’s Canada Day event takes place at Town Centre Park not far from the Lafarge Lake – Douglas SkyTrain Station. It ran from 12:00 pm until about 10:30 pm in 2023. The free family-friendly celebrations in Coquitlam included food trucks, outdoor concerts and evening fireworks.

Click Coquitlam on Canada Day for more information about the event.

Canada Day in Delta

Canada Day celebrations in Delta took place in three different places in 2023. The event at Diefenbaker Park ran from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. It included free hot dogs, drinks and birthday cake. There was also family-friendly entertainment, face painting, balloon twisting and other fun activities. The park is located at 5579 1st Avenue in Tsawwassen. For details about this event, see the Tsawwassen Boundary Bay Lions Club‘s website.

There was also an event on July 1st between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm at Kirkland House which is a heritage building in Hawthorne Grove Park at 4140 Arthur Drive in Ladner.

The third venue for Canada Day celebrations is at Chalmers Park at 11400 76a Avenue in North Delta. The festivities there in 2023 ran from 5:30 pm until 10:00 pm and they included a concert with Reckless which is a Bryan Adams tribute band.

To learn more about the events in Delta, see the City of Delta‘s website.

Canada Day in Harrison Hot Springs

The resort town of Harrison Hot Springs celebrates Canada Day with family-friendly festivities all day. On July 1st in 2023, the event ran from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm. The day began with a pancake breakfast followed by a pet parade. There was also live entertainment and children’s activities in the afternoon, as well as another parade in the evening.

The event in Harrison Hot Springs usually includes fireworks. Due to fire restrictions, however, they didn’t happen in 2023.

For more information about the event, visit the Tourism Harrison website.

Canada Day in Maple Ridge

July 1st celebrations at the Memorial Peace Park in 2023 ran from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm.

Things to enjoy at the free event included the farmers market, pony rides and community barbecue. There was also live entertainment and family-friendly games.

In 2020 the celebrations took place online. In 2021, a drive-through “Cross Country Road Trip” happened at the Albion Fairgrounds and Sports Complex. Celebrations returned to Memorial Peace Park in 2022 and they were back again in 2023.

For details about the Canada Day celebrations, click Maple Ridge on Canada Day.

Canada Day in Mission

Canada Day festivities take place in Mission at Fraser River Heritage Park on July 1st. Activities there include a pancake breakfast, live music, dog agility demonstrations and all kinds of other fun things. In 2023 there was also a pow wow.

The main celebrations at Fraser River Heritage Park this past year ran from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm on July 1st. The pancake breakfast, however, started at 8:00 am.

Click Canada Day in Mission for more information about what happens on July 1st.

Canada Day in New Westminster

New Westminster usually has a few different events taking place on July 1st.

In 2023 celebrations and family-friendly entertainment took place between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm at Westminster Pier Park.

Click Canada Day in New Westminster for further details about this city’s July 1st events.

Canada Day in Port Moody

Port Moody’s Canada Day festivities are actually part of the community’s larger Golden Spike Days festival that takes place over four days during the July long weekend each year.

In 2023 Golden Spike Days was at Rocky Point Park from June 30th until July 3rd. On Canada Day the event ran from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm. There were li

e performances, food trucks and more.

See our article about Port Moody’s Golden Spike Days for more information.

Canada Day in Port Coquitlam

Canada Day in Port Coquitlam begins with a pancake breakfast and fishing derby. In 2023 the afternoon and evening celebrations took place at Castle Park from noon until 10:00 pm.

Festivities included live performances, food trucks, a beer garden, marketplace, and a fireworks finale. There was also giant Jenga and other games, as well as art stations with crafts and face painting.

To learn more about this event, see our article about Canada Day in Port Coquitlam.

Canada Day in Squamish

Squamish used to celebrate Canada Day with a parade, community festival and live music. In some years (but not all) there have also been fireworks.

In 2023 there wasn’t a parade nor were there fireworks. There were, however, celebrations in the form of Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Squamish Together. This past year’s event featured live music and cultural performances. There were also food trucks, artisan vendors and child-friendly activities between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Click Canada Day in Squamish for more details about this community’s July 1st activities. To find out what was happening at the museum 15 minutes out of town, see our article about Britannia Mine.

Steveston Village Salmon Festival

One of the best times to visit historic Steveston Village in Richmond is on Canada Day when the community attracts up to 70,000 people to its Salmon Festival. The event features a pancake breakfast, parade, Japanese cultural fair, craft fair, music concerts and a world famous salmon BBQ.

The Salmon Festival happened as an in-person celebration in 2023 and ran from 10:00 am until late evening on July 1st. After not taking place last year, the parade returned this past year. There were also live performances, family-friendly activities and fireworks to end the night.

Check out the Steveston Salmon Festival for more information.

BEYOND VAN GOGH IN VICTORIA

Did you miss Beyond Van Gogh when it was at the Agriplex in Surrey in early 2023? Got plans to visit Vancouver Island, or want an excuse for a holiday in BC’s capital city? Beyond Van Gogh is in Victoria for most of the summer in 2023. Click Beyond Van Gogh Victoria for details.

Canada Day in Surrey

The largest Canada Day festivities in the Lower Mainland take place at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Surrey. The big event returned with in-person activities in 2023. As with most other top Canada Day festival venues, admission is free.

Unlike most other Canada Day events, at the Surrey event there are amusement rides. This was the case again in 2023. In addition to all the midway rides, games and food vendors, the Surrey Canada Day event also featured live music concerts throughout the day. The celebrations finished with fireworks at about 10:15 pm.

For more information about this city’s July 1st celebrations, check out Surrey Canada Day Festivities.

Canada Day Festival Grounds — Canada Day in Surrey

Canada Day in West Vancouver

West Vancouver hosts its Canada Day celebrations at John Lawson Park. The event runs from mid-afternoon until the evening. At this community event participants bring their lawn chairs and picnic dinners and enjoy a variety of live entertainment performances.

In 2023 West Vancouver’s Canada Day event ran from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm. It included performances by the West Vancouver Youth Band and the band Soulstream.

For more information about what happens on July 1st in this community, see our article about West Vancouver on Canada Day.

Canada Day in Whistler

Less than a two-hour drive from Vancouver, more fabulous Canada Day celebrations usually take place up at Whistler.

In 2023 the festivities included a pancake breakfast, free yoga class, and a parade where guests walked to different stations in the village. There was also a free outdoor concert in the evening headlined by Blackie & The Rodeo Kings with Daniel Lanois and Terra Lightfoot.

Some attractions like the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre and Whistler Museum offer free admission on Canada Day.

For more information about July 1st events in this community, see our article about Whistler on the Canada Day Weekend.

Whistler Village on Canada Day — Canada Day in Whistler

Canada Day in White Rock

In 2023 White Rock celebrated Canada Day with free activities at Bayview Park, Memorial Park, West Beach and White Rock (P’Quals). The celebrations happened between 8:00 am and 10:15 pm and included live entertainment, local vendors, a barbeque and fireworks.

Click White Rock on July 1st for more information.