West Vancouver celebrates Canada Day with the Red & White Picnic, fireworks and live music at John Lawson Park in the afternoon and evening of July 1st.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, West Vancouver’s Canada Day celebrations were cancelled in 2020 and took place on a much smaller scale in 2021.
The celebrations returned to John Lawson Park in 2022. They are back again in 2023 too (but with exact details to be confirmed).
West Van’s Canada Day Celebrations
West Vancouver usually celebrates July 1st at John Lawson Park. In 2019 it began at 2:00 pm with its Citizenship Ceremony. In 2022 the celebrations ran from 4:30 to 9:00 pm. 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 in 2023 take place at the Shipyards from 12:00 until 4:00 pm (but with some activities continuing into the evening). Hosted by the Rotary Club of Lions Gate, the event there includes live music, food trucks, a beer garden, a water splash park for kids and other family-friendly things to see and do.
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. Whether it does or not in 2023 is to be confirmed (but we’re guessing that it’s not likely).
Canada Day Entertainment
Below is the schedule of events at John Lawson Park for Canada Day in 2022.
- 4:30 pm – Official Ceremony
- 4:45 pm – West Vancouver Youth Band, S7aplek (Bob Baker), S’pakwas Slolem Eagle Song Dancers
- 5:30 pm – Side One
A Kids’ Zone with child-friendly activities was open from 4:30 until 9:00 pm last year.
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.
There are usually fewer children at the West Vancouver event without the parade and as many kids’ activities (possibly because all the activities in North Vancouver in the morning and afternoon have tired them out).
That being said, some of the entertainment in West Vancouver is designed for a younger adult crowd and you can expect the amazing children’s playground at John Lawson Park to be exceptionally busy during the event.
About the John Lawson Area
John Lawson Park is a beautiful park with a large open lawn, a shared covered picnic area, a fabulous children’s playground, 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 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 nicest 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 – including on the beaches and the grass. 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.
