Canada Day Concert in White Rock

Some of Metro Vancouver’s finest July 1st celebrations include the music, kids’ activities and fireworks at the Canada Day by the Bay event in White Rock.

2020 VIRTUAL CELEBRATIONS

White Rock’s in-person Canada Day celebrations for 2020 were cancelled. Instead, the city put on virtual events to commemorate the day.

White Rock’s 2020 Virtual Canada Day by the Bay event started at 7:00 pm with the singing of O Canada. Residents were encouraged to join in from their gardens and balconies. The virtual event then continued with a live-streamed concert by the band Ludic. Comedian John Cullen also performed. Access to the show was via YouTube and Facebook.

There was also a variety of other activities hosted online this past year including printable arts and crafts and free community entertainment. Check out the City of White Rock’s Canada Day by the Bay 2020 page for more details.

Canada Day by the Bay

In years when the live event doesn’t get cancelled, Canada Day by the Bay is an annual event in White Rock that takes place along the waterfront between 10:00 am and 10:30 pm on July 1st.

Highlights of the family-friendly celebrations include a vendor market along the promenade, free concerts and family-friendly activities all day, and fireworks at dusk.

White Rock Canada Day Activities

In years when the live event does take place, the Canada Day festivities in White Rock are divided into a number of areas including the following:

Concerts on the Main Stage

Live music takes place on the Main Stage (which is beside the White Rock Museum and Archives). In previous years the musical entertainment has run between 12:00 pm and 10:00 pm on the Main Stage.

Concerts on the Community Stage

Various forms of entertainment also usually happen from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on the West Beach Community Stage which is at the other end of the beach in Bayview Park in the Kids Zone. Enjoy presentations including dance, martial arts and music.

Kids’ Zone Activities

A Kids Zone offers child-focused things to do, which is at White Rock’s West Beach near where Marine Drive and Bay Street meet. Historically activities there include live music, crafts and a balloon twisting station between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

During the day there are also usually free family-friendly activities on the plaza just outside the museum at the other end of the beach near the pier.

Promenade Vendor Market

Along White Rock’s waterfront promenade there’s a market with over 80 vendors selling everything from Canada Day souvenirs to refreshments and artisan products of all kinds from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.

Evening Fireworks

Canada Day by the Bay finishes after an evening of free outdoor concerts when the fireworks take off at around 10:15. They take place just east of the pier and places to watch from include anywhere along the waterfront.

Canada Day Schedule

Below was the Canada Day by the Bay entertainment schedule for 2019. We expect the 2021 event details to be comparable.

West Beach Community Stage

11:00 am – Music With Marnie
12:00 pm – XBa School of Dance
1:00 pm – PJ Talbot and his Rock Camp Bands
2:00 pm – Golden Glory Fitness & Martial Arts Academy
3:00 pm – Duniya Dance Academy

Main Stage

12:00 pm – Grupo Asi-Somos
1:00 pm – Opening Ceremonies
1:30 pm – Victoria Anthony
2:30 pm – Derby Town
3:30 pm – Alexis Lynn
4:30 pm – Richard Tichelman
5:30 pm – Groove Terminal
7:00 pm – 4 Quarter Band
8:00 pm – Daysormay
9:00 pm – Lovecoast

Ongoing events and activities also include the following:

Vendor Market – along the Promenade from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
Kids Zone – balloon animals, face painting and a photo booth from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
Food Trucks – from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm (to be confirmed)
Fire Department Charity Barbecue – from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm
Fireworks – at 10:15 pm

Tips and Advice

Here are some suggestions on how to make the most of your time at the Canada Day by the Bay event:

TIP #1: Take a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, a water bottle, your swim suit, towel, sunglasses, hat and lots of sunscreen. It can get hot at the beach!

TIP #2: Parking is going to be a huge challenge, so take public transit if you can (recognizing that White Rock isn’t terribly accessible without a car from other parts of the Lower Mainland). In past years, there has been a free shuttle service to and from various locations within White Rock between 11:00 am and 11:00 pm. This may or may not be happening in 2021.