12 classic Canada Day events around Vancouver
Time to don your red and white gear and get patriotic! It’s Canada Day, our 152nd birthday, and there’s a sizeable list of kid friendly festivities taking place around Metro Vancouver. Everything listed is happening on July 1st 2019, unless otherwise noted.
>> VM on CTV News: 5 Canada Day Events
Top 12 kid friendly Canada Day events
Canada Place and Fireworks
Looking for a big bang of a celebration? Canada Day at Canada Place is one of the largest Canada Day celebrations outside of Ottawa. Head to Jack Poole Plaza for free kid and fam activities. Of course the entire shebang is family friendly with live performances, a citizenship swearing in ceremony and, of course, fireworks.
Canada Day at Grouse Mountain
At this all-out Canadian extravaganza, you can try your hand at axe-throwing, watch the lumberjack show, capture a keepsake photo. Take in Canadian movie classics in the Theatre in the Sky, meet a Mountie, hit up a ranger talk or listen to live music while sipping on a cold one in the beer and barbecue garden.
>> Canada Day on Grouse Mountain
Canada Day in Surrey
A free family-friendly event is expected to be the largest Canada Day event in Western Canada, welcoming over 100,000 throughout the day. Hosted by the City of Surrey, it features live performances with headliners Our Lady Peace and Bif Naked, over 20 food trucks, a zip-line, local exhibitors, kids and sports zones, games, amusement rides, kid friendly activities, and of course, fireworks!
Canada Day in Coquitlam
Coquitlam’s free Canada Day celebration is known for its live music and entertainment, multi-cultural activities and family activities, fireworks, and delicious ethnic and regional food. On that note, be sure to come hungry! Wander down Eat Street for yummy fest faves like hot dogs and ice cream, then wash it all down with beer or cider.
Canada Day in New Westminster
A day of fun and celebration for the entire family in tree-filled Queen’s Park. Enjoy crafts, games, entertainment and tasty snacks along with a splash in the spray park and visit to the petting farm.
>> Canada Day in New Westminster
Canada Day at Whistler Village
Summer in Whistler means a smorgasbord of all-ages activities and outdoor entertainment. Celebrate Canada’s birthday here and enjoy music in the mountains with free outdoor concerts from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Canada Day at Burnaby Village
Burnaby Village Museum hosts Burnaby’s Official Canada Day celebrations offering visitors the backdrop of its 1920s village streets, multi-cultural family entertainment including musicians, entertainers, displays & demonstrations. Admission is free.
>> Burnaby Village Museum Canada Day
Canada Day by the Bay
Head to the White Rock waterfront for kid friendly activities including music, a kid’s zone that features Korki the Clown, Sea Star Face Painting, the Firefighters Charity BBQ. Plus fireworks (visible from anywhere on the water front) after dusk, of course.
Granville Island
Missing the downtown parade? There’s a glorious, upbeat carnivalesque parade with stilt walkers on Granville Island at 1:30 pm. As well, the Jazz Fest sets up all over the island with music for all ages. Bring the kids down for some bicycle decorating from 10am – 2pm at Ocean Art Works.
>> Canada Day at Granville Island
Fort Langley National Historic Site
Celebrate Canada’s 152nd birthday at the site where British Columbia was born. Enjoy multicultural music and dances and witness some of the cultures that helped form the great country Canada is now. Face painting, airbrush tattoos, henna, flag raising, cake, and pictures with Parka!
>> Fort Langley National Historic Site Canada Day
Steveston Salmon Festival
Skip downtown entirely and hit the Steveston Canada Day and Salmon Festival – a very Vancouver way to celebrate. There’s a pancake breakfast at 6:30 am, a children’s bike parade at 9:30 am, and the main parade at 10 am. The children’s festival, craft fair, food fair, martial arts demos, and more run until 5 pm. The salmon BBQ starts from 11 am and goes until the fish runs out – cash only!
Canada Day at the Kitsilano Showboat
A perfect outing for families with little ones. Go for a dip at the classic outdoor pool, and cap it off with some Canada Day festivities at the iconic Showboat auditorium complete with puppets, storytime, Canada Day Birthday Cake and a samba performance.
>.> Canada Day at the Kitsilano Showboat
Check out our Top 100 Summer Bucket List for more summer fun!
Wesbrook Village Canada Day Run
Celebrate Canada Day by running through the woods in Pacific Spirit Park. Choose from a 10k, 5k, or a 1k kids walk/run. There’s a giant cake, a bouncy castle, live music, and face painters. Don’t forget to wear red and white! Runs start at 10 am, and it’s best to register in advance.
>> Canada Day at Wesbrook Village
For more Canada Day events, check out our VancouverMom.ca Events Calendar!
PS: Did you know, it’s only $2 admission at the Museum of Vancouver all day July 1st? Check out the There is Truth Here: Creativity and Resilience in Children’s Art from Indian Residential and Day Schools exhibition. Or head to the Golden Spike Festival in Port Moody!
“If you can stay up…” Haha! Yeah, that’s about it! Great suggestions. Thanks Erin.