Free activities to celebrate Canada Day 2024 in British Columbia

Communities across British Columbia are planning numerous events to mark the 157th anniversary of the founding of Canada on Monday, July 1.

Here’s a look at some of the free celebrations happening across the province.

Fraser Valley

In Vancouver, organizers of the party at Canada Place say it is historically the largest Canada Day celebration outside of Ottawa. Called Canada Together, it will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organized in partnership with the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, it will include Indigenous exhibitions, musical performances, family activities and a citizenship ceremony. There will be no fireworks.

Surrey Canada Day (New window)announced as Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebrationwill be held at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. It will feature live music, children’s activities, Indigenous cultural sharing and more. It will conclude with a fireworks display.

In Richmond, the Steveston Salmon Festival is back for its 77th year of festivities. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and there will be no fireworks to close the festival this year.

On the coast, the District of Sechelt is hosting an 11-day celebration of Indigenous knowledge and culture with the Shíshálh Nation and the Syíyaya reconciliation movement. Called Syíyaya Days, the event kicked off on National Indigenous Peoples Day and will culminate in a community parade on Canada Day.

Vancouver Island

On Vancouver Island, celebrations are taking place in Nanaimo, Langford, Campbell River and elsewhere. Campbell River, in particular, is planning the largest Canada Day fireworks display in all of British Columbia to 10:22 p.m. at Robert Oster Park.

In Victoria, festivities will begin at 11 a.m. and will take place in the Inner Harbor and on the Legislative Lawn. The day will end with a drone show at 10:15 p.m., new this year, and fireworks at 10:22 p.m.

Interior of British Columbia

Within the province, Kelowna will celebrate Canada Day with a festival held at several locations along the waterfront and in the cultural district. As a last minute addition, the city will host a fireworks display at 10 p.m. on Okanagan Lake.

The all-day Vernon event will begin at 10 a.m. at Polson Park. It will conclude at 10 p.m. with a 15-minute show featuring 250 drones, which Tourism Vernon is calling a First-ever drone show in the Okanaga. This show is organized in place of fireworks to reduce the risk of fire.

Northern British Columbia

In the north, Prince George’s Day will take place at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature multicultural acts, from Khast’an drummers to Bollywood dancers to Samba/Bossa Nova musicians. Due to an ongoing fire ban, there will be no fireworks.

Fort St John will kick off its wide range of activities at 8:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the fire station, before launching its Canada Day parade at 11 a.m.

How to get around on Canada Day?

In the Fraser Valley, TransLink says its bus, SeaBus and SkyTrain services will operate on a Sunday and holiday schedule.

The last train from Waterfront to King George will depart at 1:16 a.m., and the last train from Waterfront to Lougheed/Production Way-University will depart at 1:11 a.m. The last SeaBus will depart from Lonsdale at 11:2 p.m., and the last from Waterfront will depart at 11:16 p.m.

The West Coast Express will not run on Monday.

Outside of Metro Vancouver, BC Transit says transit will be free on local lines or shuttles in Campbell River, Comox Valley, Kamloops, Kitimat, Penticton, Powell River, Nanaimo, Squamish and Whistler.

Regular rates will continue in Kelowna, Prince George, Salt Spring Island, Sunshine Coast and regional Victoria.