5 Best Vancouver Canada Day Events

Fireworks. Barbecues. Pancake breakfasts. Citizenship ceremonies. Kids’ festivals. Live music. Parades. Here’s how to celebrate Canada Day in Vancouver Tuesday, July 1, 2014.

Best Vancouver Canada Day Events

1. Canada Day at Granville Island: 8am-midnight
Our pick for families with little ones, Canada Day on Granville Island is a festive bash complete with a parade, face painting, roving street performers, fake tattoos, and free jazz performances courtesy of Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. The Granville Island Water Park is now open for a free splash-a-thon throughout the day. And because it’s Granville, you’ll have plenty of tempting food and drink options. Again this year, Dockside Restaurant is hosting an all-day Great Canadian BBQ on their waterfront patio. Starting at 11am, Chef Simon McNeil and his team will serve up Dockside’s Old Bridge Lager Pulled Pork, Smoked Fraser Valley Chicken, Grilled Sockeye and sides including Canada Day Poutine. The BBQ is $29.95 per person. There’s free cake at the Canada Day birthday cake-cutting ceremony at 2pm .

2. Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show: 10:30-11pm
Explosions are a must on Canada Day. Two-barges will blast fireworks to a patriotic Canadian soundtrack. Listen to the simulcast on Classic Rock 101 or use Port Metro Vancouver’s free mobile app for anywhere access. The barges are located in Coal Harbour and Dundarave in West Vancouver. Best seen from: Coal Harbour, Stanley Park (Vancouver Rowing Club to the 9 o’clock gun), and Lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver.

3. Canada Day at Canada Place: 10am-6pm 
A festive, crowded downtown waterfront party at Canada Place with live music on three stages as well as a hodge podge of other diversions ranging from magic shows to free yoga classes and a craft market.

4. Canada Day Parade: 7pm
Your basic parade with all the bells and whistles. It starts at the corner of Georgia and Broughton Streets at 7pm. The parade aims to highlight Canada’s multiculturalism and the special bond that connects all Canadians. Every year the event celebrates a local celebrity or organization that helps build community. This year, the Canada Day Parade chose the Vancouver Whitecaps FC as the Grand Marshals.

5. Steveston Salmon Festival on Canada Day: 6:30am-5pm
Venture a little outside of Vancouver for one of the most delicious Canada Festivals at Steveston. The big draw is the Salmon Barbecue which starts at 11am and goes until the fish runs out. Other perks: Pancake Breakfast, citizenship ceremony, live entertainment, a Kids Bicycle Parade, Canada Day Parade, Kids’ Festival and the location — pretty old town and prime waterfront location.

 

Last modified: June 24, 2014