The District of West Vancouver celebrates Canada Day with live music and family-friendly activities at John Lawson Park in the afternoon and evening of July 1st.
The event used to be called the Red & White Picnic and it included fireworks. It’s not called that anymore, and the fireworks don’t happen either. However, it’s still a fun event, and admission is free.
West Van’s Canada Day Celebrations
West Vancouver celebrates July 1st at John Lawson Park. Celebrations typically run from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm (in 2023, that was a couple of hours longer than the year before). In years when the event happens, expect to enjoy a pleasant evening of fresh air, amazing views and live entertainment.
JULY 1ST IN NORTH VANCOUVER
The North Shore’s biggest Canada Day festivities take place at the Shipyards from 11:30 am until 4:30 pm. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Lions Gate, the event in North Vancouver typically includes live music, art displays and food trucks. There is also a water splash park for kids and other family-friendly things to see and do.
Artists who performed at the July 1st event in North Vancouver this past year included Mostly Marley, Melanie Dekker, Blazing Eraz, Randy Swallow, the Eagle Song Dancers (Spakwus Slolem) and Bitterly Divine. The last two of these are Indigenous groups from the local Squamish Nation.
To learn more about the North Shore’s other main Canada Day celebrations, see our article about Canada Day at the Shipyards.
Canada Day Picnic Details
West Vancouver’s Canada Day event takes place at John Lawson Park, which is located on the waterfront at the end of 16th Street just a block or two south of Marine Drive.
There is live music and entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening. The day used to finish with fireworks, but not in 2022 or in 2023. Whether there are fireworks ever again in the future is to be confirmed (but we’re guessing that it’s not likely).
Canada Day Schedule of Activities
Below was the schedule of events at John Lawson Park for Canada Day in 2023. Expect the same for the event in 2024. Canada Day celebrations at John Lawson Park this past year began with a citizenship ceremony where 40 individuals officially become Canadians. The headliner band for the night was Soulstream. In 2022, and for a number of previous years, the headliner band has been Side One.
- 2:00 pm – Citizenship Ceremony
- 4:30 pm – Official Event Opening Ceremony
- 4:45 pm – West Vancouver Youth Band
- 5:30 pm – Soulstream
A Kids’ Zone with child-friendly activities was open from 4:30 pm until 9:00 pm in 2022. The same happened again in 2023.
West Vancouver’s celebrations typically attract an older crowd whereas the North Shore’s Canada Day festivities in North Vancouver attract a lot of young families. However, both events are enjoyed by people of all ages.
About the John Lawson Area
John Lawson Park is a nice ocean-front park. It hash a large open lawn, a shared covered picnic area and a fabulous children’s playground. It also has a rocky beach and a pier that you can fish from and throw your crab traps off. John Lawson Park is also connected by a seawall to Dundarave to the west and Ambleside to the east.
While at the July 1st event, go for a stroll along the water. With views of the Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, English Bay and ships going in and out from Burrard Inlet, the Ambleside to Dundarave route is one of the Lower Mainland’s most picturesque places to walk along the ocean.
If you want to bring your dog to this event, be aware that there are many areas where your furry friend is not allowed. This includes on the beaches and the grass. As a result, it might be best to leave your little companion at home that day.
Other Information
For further details about the Canada Day celebrations at John Lawson Park, see the District of West Vancouver‘s website.
Check out the Festivals and Events Calendar for other major events in the Lower Mainland at different times of the year. And for Vancouver’s next major festival which takes place on the following weekend, check out Carnaval del Sol.
For information on other July 1st events elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, click Vancouver Canada Day Celebrations.
