Canada Day in New Westminster

New West usually celebrates Canada Day with the New Westminster Multicultural Festival, celebrations at Queen’s Park and fireworks at Westminster Quay.

In 2020 the City of New Westminster had to cancel its regular in-person Canada Day celebrations because of COVID-19. The city still celebrated July 1st with its own online event. 2021 was somewhat similar as there were still some virtual events.

In 2022 Canada Day celebrations in New Westminster return with free in-person activities.

FREE EVENTS ON JULY 9TH & 16th

Lots of fun things are happening in New Westminster on July 1st for Canada Day. Great free events take place on the following two weekends too!

The On Your Block Festival is a multicultural event featuring live music, food trucks, artisan vendors and family-friendly things to do on Saturday, July 9th, at Tipperary Park. Uptown Live, meanwhile, is a major music festival and street party which happens on Saturday, July 16th.

New Westminster Canada Day Events

In a typical year, on July 1st, there are Canada Day celebrations all over Metro Vancouver, including at multiple venues in New Westminster.

2022 Festivities

The title for Canada Day celebrations in New Westminster is “Learn and Discover”. There are a variety of in-person events and activities on offer. The New West Farmers Market is set up in Tipperary Park from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 30th. On the same day, Century House is offering a picnic lunch kit for seniors, while a puppetry workshop takes place at the Lower Hume Park Picnic Shelter.

There are more things to do in New Westminster on Friday, July 1st. There are a couple of free concerts in local parks, including one at Ryall Park at 11:00 am and a longer concert at Westminster Pier Park from 1:00 to 6:00 pm. Featured performers are Francis Henson, Super Krystal, Elliot Slinn, Marry Me and Sugarfungus.

In 2022 there are drumming, ukulele and painting workshops. Other things to see on the Canada Day weekend include the Riverside Circus, New West Craft Summer Night Market, and more.

Visit the City of New Westminster website for additional information about 2022 celebrations.

Canada Day Weekend Concerts in 2022

There are concerts taking place in a few different New Westminster parks to celebrate Canada Day, almost all on July 1st but one on July 3rd as well.

Ryall Park (July 1st, 2022)

11:00 am – Andy the Musical Scientist

Westminster Pier Park (July 1st, 2022)

1:00 pm – Francis Henson
2:00 pm – Super Krystal
3:30 pm – Elliott Slinn
4:00 pm – Marry Me
5:00 pm – Sugarfungus

Queen’s Park (July 3rd, 2022)

2:00 pm – Zox of the Forest

Keep reading for details about what happened on Canada Day in years prior to COVID-19.

New Westminster Multicultural Festival

In years where there isn’t a pandemic, the Multicultural Festival takes place along the waterfront at Westminster Pier Park from around 2:00 until 10:00 pm, with the fireworks blasting off at the end. It’s a free event with multicultural entertainment, ethnic foods, market vendors, dancing and community organization information booths.

Westminster Pier Park is located at #1 6th Street, so near where New Westminster’s giant red “W” sculpture used to be found.

This event didn’t take place in 2020 or 2021 because of the COVID-19 virus. It doesn’t appear to be happening in 2022 either. That being said, a new multicultural festival takes place in New Westminster this year. The On Your Block Festival happens at Tipperary Park on July 9th. It’s a free event that features music and family-friendly activities.

Canada Day at Queen’s Park

In years not affected by a global pandemic, Canada Day celebrations also take place at Queen’s Park (at around 100 3rd Avenue) from 11:30 until 2:30 pm. There is a little bit happening at Queen’s Park in 2022, but not nearly as much as in years past.

Queen’s Park is a beautiful park with walking trails, a flower garden, large playground, kids’ water play area and a petting zoo. On July 1st there is also live music in the bandstand as well as crafts and various family-friendly activities in the immediate area.

Music Lineup

Performers at the event in 2019 included GinaLina Music, the Seabillys and Disco Funeral. There wasn’t much of a focus on live music in 2021 with the exception of Will’s Jams.

For a sample of the entertainment to expect in normal years, the lineup for 2018 in Queen’s Park included the following:

11:30 am – 5 on a String
12:00 pm – Opening Ceremony and Singing of O Canada
12:30 pm – Roland & Emma Nipp
1:05 pm – Echo Nebraska
2:00 pm – Khac Chi Bamboo
2:25 pm – Pernell Reichert

See the City of New Westminster‘s website for more information.

Queens Park Canada Day Concert — Live Music on Canada Day

Fireworks & Festivities at Westminster Quay

New Westminster’s Hyack Festival Society usually hosts Canada Day festivities at the River Market at 810 Quayside Drive from 2:00 until 11:00 pm with fireworks at the end.

Unfortunately, the event did not take place in 2020 or 2021 due to the spread of COVID-19. Fireworks likely won’t be happening in 2022 either.

In years when it does take place, the event here includes live entertainment and market vendors on the top floor of the River Market.

The schedule of events and entertainment here in 2019 was the following. We expect future event details to be similar.