Confederation Park Cenotaph

Remembrance Day ceremonies take place throughout Metro Vancouver on November 11th each year including in Burnaby at Confederation Park and Bonsor Park.

Click Vancouver Remembrance Day Events for information about ceremonies all over the Lower Mainland, or continue reading to learn about Burnaby’s main November 11th events that happen most years.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there were no public ceremonies in Burnaby in 2021. Instead, the city asked everyone to remember and reflect from home or wherever they were on the 11th.

In 2022, both the North Burnaby and South Burnaby events are happening.

Remembrance Day in Burnaby

Remembrance Day is normally commemorated in North Burnaby at the Cenotaph in Confederation Park and in South Burnaby at the Cenotaph in Bonsor Park.

North Burnaby Ceremony & Parade

The Remembrance Day event in North Burnaby includes a parade followed by a ceremony beside the running track at Confederation Park.

The parade starts at around 10:30 am from near the McGill Library at 4595 Albert Street. The procession of veterans, cadets, military officers, police and other participants marches down Albert Street before turning up Alpha Avenue and finishing at the park.

The ceremony at Confederation Park typically takes place at the Cenotaph which is on Penzance Drive almost across the street from the Burnaby Central Railway which is located at 120 North Willingdon Avenue.

The North Burnaby Remembrance Day parade starts shortly after 10:30 am, and the ceremony runs from 11 o’clock until around noon. About 500 or so people typically attend. In some years, the ceremony features a flyover by military aircraft, including sometimes vintage ones from a bygone era, but this may or may not be the case in 2022.

The service at Confederation Park usually begins with the singing of O Canada followed by a prayer. Next, VIPs and official guests are introduced, the Last Post is played and there is the traditional 2 minutes of silence. After this there is the laying of wreaths by the Cenotaph and a flyover by aircraft. The service then ends with a closing ceremony and march off.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, ceremonies in 2020 were private and the public was not encouraged to attend. The 2021 ceremony was cancelled as well, at least in the form of a public event. Everyone in Burnaby was encouraged to Remember in Place instead that year, so from home or wherever they were on the day.

In 2022 the parade and ceremony are taking place like they did prior to the pandemic. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Check out the BC Legion website for more details about the North Burnaby event.

South Burnaby Ceremony & Parade

The Remembrance Day event in South Burnaby happens not far from Metrotown. Similar to the North Burnaby event, it typically features both a parade and a traditional ceremony.

The parade starts at the corner of Bennett Street and Marlborough Avenue by Fire Hall #3 which is located at 6511 Marlborough. From there the parade goes for a block along Bennett Street before turning south down Nelson Avenue to Bonsor Park at Jubilee Avenue.

The South Burnaby Remembrance Day ceremony takes place at the Cenotaph in the park at the corner of Jubilee Street and Nelson Avenue.

The event took place in 2020, but by invitation only, which meant that the general public was discouraged from attending. In 2021, Burnaby residents were encouraged to remember from home once again.

The event returns on Remembrance Day in 2022 and it is open to the public. Activities run from around 10:30 until 11:30 am and features the usual parade and ceremony.

Check out the Legion BC website for more information.