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

Other 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, at various places in Burnaby, and the list goes on. In downtown Vancouver, and unrelated to Canada’s birthday, there is also the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival. Out on the water, there are nightclub-style events with Vancouver Boat Parties.

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

Canada Day celebrations in North Vancouver typically happen at the Shipyards, the location for the festivities the past couple years. The event runs from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm and features 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 year are the JP Fell Pipe Band, Dave Hartney, The Organizers, Amir Raad, Barnstormer Band and ShowStoppers Vancouver.

For an idea of what to expect at the Canada Day celebrations in North Vancouver, see the video below. It was recorded at the Shipyards on July 1st in 2023.

Click North Vancouver Canada Day Celebrations to learn more about this year’s event.

Canada Day in Langley

In Fort Langley is a great place to spend Canada Day. There are activities at both the Fort Langley National Historic Site and outside by the BC Farm Museum. Admission to the Fort on July 1st is also free! For details about what’s happening in the historic town, see our article about Canada Day in Fort Langley.

The Township of Langley also offers Canada Day festivities at both McLeod Athletic Park Willoughby Community Park. The event at the former runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and at the latter it goes from 8:00 to 10:30 pm. The two events form a day of live music, local vendors, bouncy castles and more. Capping it all off is a drone light show at Willoughby Community Park at 10:15 pm.

Langley City’s Canada Day Party has happened in the downtown area of the City of Langley in the past (but not likely this year). Presented by Quarry Rock Developments, last year the event ran from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on July 1st. There was live music 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. Sadly, as of mid-June, it seems like this event might not happen in 2024. Exact details, however, are to be confirmed.

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 in Surrey

The largest Canada Day festivities in the Lower Mainland take place at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Surrey. The big event returns with in-person activities in 2024. 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. In addition to all the midway rides, games and food vendors, the Surrey Canada Day event also features live music concerts throughout the day. The celebrations finish 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 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 in the country, next only to those in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. During the pre-pandemic years there were live performances at Canada Place for much of the day, and thousands of people.

The event continues to take place at the same venue but it’s a little more scaled back than it used to be. It was renamed “Canada Together” in 2022 and it runs from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm this year.

There is plenty of live entertainment, food trucks and activities to enjoy. Performers in 2024 include Said The Whale, Fake Shark, the free label and many more.

Unfortunately, the fireworks displays that used to happen at Canada Place have 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 2024 a festival celebrating Taiwanese culture takes place from June 29th until July 6th. A lot of its activities happen on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Canada Day long weekend in downtown Vancouver. There are free outdoor performances and films, along with an art exhibition, ticketed concerts and more.

On Canada Day, on July 1st, there are free activities in the plaza outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and North plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.

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

Kitsilano Showboat

Kitsilano Showboat is a series of concerts and live performances at Kitsilano Beach. The shows run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from June 21st to July 28th in 2024.

Also this year, there’s a special Canada Day event. It takes place on July 1st. The event includes extra performances and other activities. This year’s Canada Day event features cupcake eating, ring toss and more.

For more information about the series of events, see our Kitsilano Showboat article.

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 most years (although not in 2024). There are also street performers and various family-friendly activities. This year the Jazz Festival runs from June 21st to June 30th, so there is lots of live music on the Canada Day Long Weekend, although not on Canada Day itself.

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 2024 there are three events happening on the Canada Day weekend.

On June 30th, the Canada Day Bollywood & Punjabi Boat Party takes place on the Burrard Queen. Then, on July 1st, there’s the Canada Day Hip Hop & EDM Boat Party on the Magic Spirit, as well as the Canada Day Latin & Afrobeats Boat Party on the Burrard Queen. All three events run from 8:00 pm until midnight and are for people ages 19+.

(TIP: With these July 1st events with Vancouver Boat Parties, use the promo code EMAIL10 when purchasing your tickets online and you’ll save 10%.)

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

Canada Day in Abbotsford

Abbotsford’s Canada Day celebrations include a parade, outdoor concerts, festival activities and laser light show at Abbotsford Exhibition Park. The parade starts at 11:00 am. The festival runs from 1:00 pm until 10:00 pm and the fireworks happen at the very end.

The fireworks were meant to return in 2023, but due to fire restrictions they were cancelled. Barring weather issues they should take off this year.

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 2024, however, instead of Swangard Stadium, there are festivities and fireworks at Civic Square, Central Park and along Central Boulevard. This is the same as it was last year.

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

There are also free concerts and other activities in and around Central Park from 6:30 pm to 10:15 pm. The night concludes 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 happen on June 30th and July 1st in 2024. See our article about Canada Day Boat Parties for more details.

Canada Day in Chilliwack

Chilliwack‘s main Canada Day celebrations happen from 5:00 to 10:30 pm. This year, they are at Exhibition Park which is a new location. Previously the festivities were held in Townsend Park.

The event features live music, activity booths and a beer garden for adults. There is also an area for kids with plenty of things to do. Children can enjoy face painting, balloon twisting and birdhouse building. There is also a parkour course and photo booth, along with yoga sessions and food trucks. The event ends with a drone light show around 10:00 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 runs from 12:00 pm until about 10:30 pm. The free family-friendly celebrations in Coquitlam include 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 take place in three different places. The event at Diefenbaker Park runs from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. It includes free hot dogs, drinks and birthday cake. There is 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 is 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 run from 5:30 pm until 10:00 pm and they include 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, the event runs from 8:30 am until after 10:00 pm. The day begins with a pancake breakfast followed by a pet parade. There is 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. After not happening last year they’re back in 2024! The fireworks blast off at 10:00 pm.

For more information about the event, check out our Harrison Hot Springs article.

Canada Day in Maple Ridge

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

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

The 2024 celebrations are even more special than usual as this year is the 150th anniversary of the founding of Maple Ridge!

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.

The main celebrations at Fraser River Heritage Park run from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm on July 1st. The pancake breakfast, however, starts 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.

Celebrations and family-friendly entertainment take place between 12:30 pm and 6:00 pm at Westminster Pier Park. There are also other events taking place at Queen’s Park in the days leading up to July 1st.

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

Canada Day in Pitt Meadows

Pitt Meadows hosts annual celebrations on July 1st. The event usually runs from the morning until the afternoon at šxʷhék̓ʷnəs (Spirit Square) beside City Hall. 2024 is no exception.

This year’s celebrations take place from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. There’s a pancake breakfast, classic car show, dog competition and watermelon eating contest. The event also features artisan vendors and activities for kids.

For more details about the celebrations, see our article about Canada Day in Pitt Meadows.

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 2024 Golden Spike Days is at Rocky Point Park from June 29th until July 1st. Last year, on Canada Day the event ran from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm. There were live 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. Afternoon and evening celebrations take place at Castle Park from noon until 10:00 pm.

Festivities include live performances, food trucks, a beer garden, marketplace, and a fireworks finale. There is 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 2024 there isn’t a parade nor are there fireworks. There are, however, celebrations in the form of Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Squamish Together. The event features live music and cultural performances. There are also food trucks, artisan vendors and child-friendly activities between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Click Canada Day in Squamish for more details about the community’s July 1st activities.

This year, there’s also a special event at Britannia Mine, which is about 15 minutes out of town. On July 1st, the attraction hosts live music with the Coldwater Road band from noon until 3:00 pm. There are also extra games and activities included with general admission to the museum.

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 famous salmon BBQ.

The Salmon Festival runs from 10:00 am until late evening on July 1st. There are also live performances and family-friendly activities. There also used to be fireworks, but not recently.

Check out the Steveston Salmon Festival for more information.

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.

West Vancouver’s Canada Day event runs from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm this year. It includes performances by the West Vancouver Youth Band and the band Groove & Tonic.

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.

This year’s festivities include a pancake breakfast, a free yoga class, and a parade where guests walk to different stations in the village. There is also a free outdoor concert in the evening headlined by Walk off the Earth.

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

White Rock celebrates Canada Day with free activities at Bayview Park, Memorial Park, West Beach and White Rock (P’Quals). The celebrations happen between around noon to 10:15 pm and include live entertainment, local vendors, a barbeque and fireworks.

Click White Rock on July 1st for more information.