Remembrance Day is on November 11th and on that day there are usually ceremonies, parades and other events throughout Vancouver.

In 2023, November 11th falls on a Saturday.

Lower Mainland Remembrance Day Events

There are usually over 30 different Remembrance Day events in the Lower Mainland on November 11th.

Below is a list of just some of the Remembrance Day events that take place at the following locations most years.

Abbotsford | Burnaby | Coquitlam | Delta (Ladner) | Fort Langley

Langley | Maple Ridge | New Westminster | North Vancouver | Pitt Meadows | Port Coquitlam

Port Moody | Richmond | Surrey | Vancouver | West Vancouver

Note: As of the beginning of November, Remembrance Day event details for some locations in 2023 are still to be confirmed. Check with your local Legion or municipal government website for exact information, or check out the Canadian Legion Website.

If you are unfamiliar with this holiday, click Remembrance Day to learn about the significance of the occasion.

REMEMBRANCE DAY CHOIR CONCERTS

Choir concerts also happen around Remembrance Day in the Lower Mainland. In 2023 the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir performs in Delta on November 11th. The Chor Leoni choir, meanwhile, has concerts in Vancouver on November 10th and 11th.

Remembrance Day in Abbotsford

A parade is followed by the laying of wreaths at Thunderbird Memorial Square on Veterans Way behind Abbotsford City Hall (which is located at 32315 South Fraser Way).

In 2023 the event happens in-person and is open to the public. It begins at 10:30 am. Light refreshments are available at the Abbotsford Legion Branch and the Reach Gallery Museum. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed this year.

For more details see the City of Abbotsford website.

Remembrance Day in Burnaby

In Burnaby there are Remembrance Day events in North Burnaby and South Burnaby. Both events happened last year and do so again in 2023.

The parade in North Burnaby begins at the McGill Library at about 10:30 am. It’s followed by a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Confederation Park Cenotaph which is on Penzance Drive not far from Willingdon Avenue.

• Suggestion: If the weather is good, explore the trails at Confederation park either before or after the event.

The Remembrance Day event in South Burnaby includes a parade starting outside Firehall #3 at the corner of Marlborough Avenue and Bennett Street. There is also a service at the Cenotaph at the corner of Nelson Avenue and Jubilee Street in Bonsor Park. The event usually starts at 10:30 am and everything is finished by around noon.

• Suggestion: Deer Lake, Confederation Park and Burnaby Mountain are all pretty this time of year. If the weather is good, go for a nice walk and explore after the services. If it’s rainy, however, don’t forget that Metropolis at Metrotown is a good indoor place to be (if you like shopping) and not far from the South Burnaby event.

Click Remembrance Day in Burnaby for more information.

Remembrance Day in Coquitlam

The Remembrance Day ceremony in Coquitlam starts at 10:15 am at Como Lake Middle School. The school’s address is 1121 King Albert Avenue. The procession goes down Winslow Avenue to the Cenotaph on Veteran’s Way at the east end of Blue Mountain Park. The parade is then followed by ceremonies at the Cenotaph.

• Suggestion: There are lots of nice places in the area to go for a walk or bike ride afterwards. For hikes, Sasamat Lake and Buntzen Lake are especially beautiful and not too far away. Mundy Park is also a nice place to walk around.

In 2023 the parade and ceremonies are open to the public. The City of Coquitlam also hosts Poppy Painting and Messages of Remembrance events leading up to November 11th.

See our article about the Coquitlam Parade & Ceremony for more information.

Remembrance Day in Delta (Ladner)

There is a Remembrance Day parade in South Delta (Ladner) on November 11th at the Cenotaph at Ladner Memorial Park at 5010-47th Avenue at 10:40 am (but possibly starting at the Legion at 4896 Delta Street). Parking is available near both the park and the Legion. The parade is usually more of a procession of kids and their parents than a full parade, but nice for members of the local community.

In 2023 the ceremony takes place from 10:30 am until about 11:30 and it’s open to the public.

• Suggestion: While in Delta, consider a trip out to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary if the weather is good. The snow geese are at their peak around Remembrance Day most years, as are the ducks.

See the City of Delta‘s website for details.

Remembrance Day in Fort Langley

Remembrance Day ceremonies in the historic town of Fort Langley take place at the cenotaph at Saint Andrews Cemetery at 23105 St. Andrews Avenue. Some years (but not every year, including not likely in 2023), at 11:00 am there is a flypast by the Fraser Blues vintage aircraft team.

In 2023 the ceremony begins at 10:15 am.

• Suggestion: After the ceremony go for a stroll or bike ride along the river or go visit the Fort Langley National Historic Site.

For more information, click Fort Langley on Remembrance Day.

Remembrance Day in Langley

In addition to the ceremony in Fort Langley, a couple of other Remembrance Day services also take place in Langley including one at the Douglas Park Cenotaph in the City of Langley and another at the Aldergrove Legion.

The Douglas Park event normally starts with a procession from Timms Community Centre at 20399 Douglas Crescent. In 2023 the formal service begins at the Cenotaph at 20550 Douglas Crescent at 10:50 am. The ceremonies there typically include the recitation of poetry (i.e. In Flanders Fields) and the singing of traditional hymns. Some years there is also a flypast by the Fraser Blues and their vintage aircraft (but that might not be the case in 2023).

Langley’s other Remembrance Day event usually takes place starting at 10:45 am at the Aldergrove Legion at 26607 Fraser Highway. After a short procession there is sometimes a traditional-style service with a flypast by the Fraser Blues vintage aircraft. There is also a potluck lunch and entertainment back at the Legion following the ceremony. 2023 information is to be confirmed. See the Township of Langley‘s website for the latest details.

For more information about the events, click Aldergrove and Douglas Park.

Remembrance Day in Maple Ridge

In 2023 the parade in Maple Ridge starts at 10:30 am from the Legion Building at 12101-224th Street. The procession then makes its way to the Cenotaph in Memorial Peace Park near City Hall where the official ceremony takes place.

The service at the Cenotaph isn’t a long one. It starts at 11:00 am and usually finishes by around 11:30 am. At the end, the flags are lowered.

• Suggestion: After the ceremony, if the weather is good, check out the fall colours at Golden Ears Provincial Park or go for a walk or short bike ride by Pitt Lake or at Kanaka Creek Park.

See our article about November 11th in Maple Ridge for more information.

Remembrance Day in New Westminster

A ceremony in BC’s former colonial capital normally takes place at the Royal Westminster Regiment Armouries at the corner of 6th and Queens. Following the ceremony there is a parade to the Cenotaph at the front of City Hall where there is a second ceremony and the traditional two minutes of silence and wreath laying occur.

The ceremonies at the Armouries are indoors, and it’s a fairly big place. This makes it an especially good event to attend on Remembrance Days when it’s raining. The service outside City Hall, however, is outside. In the past, pre-COVID, the event at the Armouries was usually open to the public. This may or may not be the case in 2023. The second ceremony, outside City Hall, however, is definitely for everyone.

In 2023 the parade starts at 10:15 am and the outdoor service begins 15 minutes later. The service at 10:30 is open to the public. Details about the indoor ceremonies are to be confirmed.

• Suggestion: A nice place for a walk or leisurely cycle ride after the Remembrance Day event is along the New Westminster waterfront or in Queens Park.

For more information click Remembrance Day in New Westminster.

Remembrance Day in North Vancouver

The Remembrance Day parade and ceremony in North Vancouver is a fair-sized affair, although smaller than the one in downtown Vancouver at Victory Square and the main ones in municipalities like Richmond and Surrey.

In North Vancouver, the event usually begins at the Armoury at Forbes Avenue and 15th Street. It then proceeds to the Victoria Park Cenotaph on East Keith Road near Lonsdale Avenue.

In 2023 the ceremony at the cenotaph runs from 10:30 am until about 11:30. The ceremony is open to the public.

For more information about the event at Victory Park, click Remembrance Day in the City of North Vancouver.

In addition to the Victoria Park service, Remembrance Day ceremonies also take place at Cates Park at 4141 Dollarton Highway. In 2023 they start at 10:15 am.

• Suggestion: While on the North Shore check out any of North Vancouver‘s world-class attractions and parks including Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lynn Canyon Park, Deep Cove, Lonsdale Quay and Rice Lake.

For more information about the event at Cates Park, click Remembrance Day in the District of North Vancouver.

Remembrance Day in Pitt Meadows

Remembrance Day in Pitt Meadows begins with a procession from 119B Street along Harris Road, ceremonies at the Cenotaph in Spirit Square (which is also known as šxʷhék̓ ʷnəs) and then a reception at the community Centre. Between around 1,500 and 2,000 people typically attend.

The 2023 ceremonies are open to the public. The procession begins at 10:30 am but folks wanting to lay a wreath have to bring it to the Cenotaph before 10:00 am.

For more details click November 11th Ceremonies in Pitt Meadows.

Remembrance Day in Port Coquitlam

The Remembrance Day ceremonies in Port Coquitlam begin at 10:00 am at the Cenotaph at Veterans Park at 2580 Shaughnessy Street. At the event there are normally veterans, members of the Royal Canadian Legion, police officers and cadets, plus members of the general public and a few VIPs. The ceremonies include the traditional two minutes of silence and laying of the wreathes.

The 2023 ceremony begins at 11:00 am at Veterans Park.

For more details click November 11th in Port Coquitlam.

Remembrance Day in Port Moody

Remembrance Day in Port Moody involves a service, parade, ceremony and entertainment.

The inter-faith, non-denominational service takes place at the Royal Canadian Legion this year. That’s followed by the parade and ceremony beginning at around 10:30 am.

The ceremonies in Port Moody were open to the public last year and they are again in 2023.

See our article about Remembrance Day in Port Moody for more details.

Remembrance Day in Richmond

In Richmond there is usually a parade on November 11th at 10:20 am followed by a ceremony at the Cenotaph on the east side of Richmond City Hall at 11:00 am. The ceremony includes the traditional two minutes of silence, the singing of O Canada and the laying of wreaths.

Ending at about noon, most years the ceremony also includes a performance of the poem In Flanders Fields by the RC Palmer Secondary School Choir, as well as buglers and pipers playing the Last Post, Lament and Reveille.

• Suggestion: After the ceremonies check out the fall colours in nearby Minoru Park, or go for a stroll or bike ride along the waterfront in Steveston Village. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is also an interesting place to visit.

In 2023 the parade begins at 10:20 am and the ceremony starts at 10:40 am. The public is welcome to attend. For those who can’t make it, the service is available online.

Click Richmond Remembrance Day Ceremony for further details.

Remembrance Day in Surrey

Surrey’s Main Remembrance Day Ceremonies take place at the Cloverdale Cenotaph by the Surrey Museum at 17710 56A Avenue.

On November 11th both the Surrey Museum and Surrey Archives are open to the public for a few hours most years.

• Suggestion: While in Surrey, consider visiting Bear Creek Park to check out the fall colours, or if in the Crescent Beach area go for a stroll along the waterfront or through Elgin Heritage Park.

In 2023 the ceremony is open to the public. The procession starts at 10:00 am and the service begins at 10:25 am.

Click Remembrance Day in Cloverdale for more details.

Remembrance Day in Vancouver

Remembrance Day events take place in a number of locations around the City of Vancouver on November 11th, including at the Cenotaph at Victory Square downtown and in Stanley Park at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial. There’s also an annual ceremony at the University of British Columbia.

Victory Square Remembrance Day Event

The ceremony at the Cenotaph at Victory Square is particularly impressive. It’s also the region’s longest running annual Remembrance Day ceremony. As many as 15,000 people attend in a typical year.

The event at Victory Square starts at about 10:00 am and takes place at the park at the corner of West Hastings Street and Cambie. The service often includes a performance by a couple of groups from the Vancouver Bach Choir. Many years there are also the sounds of a 21-gun salute by the 15th Field Artillery Regiment firing from Portside Park, and a Royal Canadian Air Force fly-past, weather permitting (although that may or may not be the case in 2023).

The ceremonies in 2023 begins at 10:30 am.

Click Downtown Parade and Ceremony for more information.

Stanley Park Event in Vancouver

The ceremony at the Japanese Canadian Cenotaph in Stanley Park starts at 10:40 am and runs until about 11:30 am. What’s special about this service is that it takes place in Stanley Park which is especially stunning this time of year with its fall colours.

• Suggestion: While in the downtown area, and especially if at the Japanese Canadian Cenotaph ceremonies, wander around Stanley Park afterwards and enjoy some of the best fall colours in the Lower Mainland. Close to the Victory Square ceremonies, in Chinatown, the fall colours are also nice at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and, a drive further south, Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen Botanical Garden are also beautiful this time of year.

In 2023 the ceremonies take place in-person at Stanley Park, but also online on the Nikkei Museum‘s YouTube channel. Everyone is welcome to attend the service in Stanley Park.

Click Stanley Park Ceremony for more information.

UBC Remembrance Day Event

The University of British Columbia also holds a ceremony each year. The event takes place in the War Memorial Gymnasium located at 6081 University Boulevard.

In addition to the typical service, there is music by local groups. In 2022 the performances were with UBC’s School of Music. Although the event takes place on campus, folks from surrounding communities are welcome to attend most years.

2023 marks the ceremony’s 73rd year. Doors open at 10:00 am on November 11th and the ceremony commences at 10:45 am. A livestream is also available online for those who can’t make it inside.

Click UBC Ceremony for more information.

Remembrance Day in West Vancouver

The Remembrance Day parade and service in West Vancouver take place from about 10:45 am until noon on Marine Drive at 20th Street by Memorial Park.

• Suggestion: While in West Vancouver, if the weather is good, go for a stroll along the waterfront at Ambleside, John Lawson Park and Dundarave. All are close by, beautiful places to walk and connected by the seawall.

The West Vancouver parade and ceremonies are open to the public in 2023.

Click November 11th in West Vancouver for more information.

Other Information

For information about other Remembrance Day services in Metro Vancouver and other parts of BC, check out the Canadian Legion website. In total there are close to three dozen events in the Lower Mainland alone.

For ideas on other things to do this month, check out Vancouver’s Best Places’ November Calendar.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following: