Our hearts aren’t the only thing glowing with patriot pride this Canada Day—Vancouver is ablaze with ways to honour our nation. Here are our picks for the best places to wave a flag (or paint one on your child’s face) this Canada Day.
Granville Island
Nothing says Canada like a day at Granville Island. Take in the parade before gorging on truly Canadian pancakes, and listen to live jazz in between.
Good to know: pack swimsuits. If it’s a hot one your kids can cool off in the squirt park.
Good for: ages 3-12
Surrey
For the City of Surrey, it’s go red or go home. On July 1 they host Western Canada’s biggest party, with free live music all day long at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre. Don’t miss Daniel Wesley and Matthew Good, the last performers of the evening, before the fireworks start at 10:15 pm.
Good for: ages 5-12
Canada Place
It’s a no-brainer that Canada Place is the place to be on Canada Day. Your kids will love the Sports Zone, with its jump rope competition, soccer drills, and wheelchair basketball display, not to mention all the live music. If you go, wear red and white and don’t miss the West Coast Lumberjack Show.
Good to know: Download Port Metro Vancouver’s free mobile app for event specifics.
Good for: ages 2-12
The Best Place to Take in the Fireworks
Canada Place is also prime viewing for the Coast Capital Savings Canada Day Fireworks Show, a two-barge simultaneous display set to our favourite Canadian music. Buy a ticket for the bleachers at Canada Place, or head to another (free) spot to take in the action. One barge is positioned in Coal Harbour, the other is in Dundarave, so we recommend you try either the Stanley Park seawall (between the Vancouver Rowing Club and the 9 o’clock gun), the seawall in West Vancouver between Ambleside and Dundarave or watch from Lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver.
How to Get Around
Because the city is hopping on Canada Day, you need to allow extra travel time. The Stanley Park seawall will be busy, so pack a picnic and arrive an hour early for a prime viewing spot. The West Vancouver seawall and Lower Lonsdale viewing spots are perfect for North Shore residents who don’t want to brave the Lions Gate Bridge traffic.
Good to know: tune your radio to Classic Rock 101 to hear the simulcast.
We know we’re partial, but we think our country is too fantastic not to celebrate. Our How to Do Canada Day in Vancouver guide is here to help.
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