It’s time to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary! There are lots of fun and free ways to commemorate this extra special year – Vancouver is going all out. Grab your friends and family, slather on some sunscreen, and pick an event or two to hit up. Festivals, concerts, shows, food events, sales, special coins – there’s truly something for everyone.

Canada 150 events in Vancouver

Canada Day at Canada Place
Saturday, July 1 & Sunday, July 2, all day (free) | Canada Place, Vancouver
This year’s celebration is going to be an extra special two-parter! On July 1st, there’s a lineup of live shows, interactive booths, fireworks, and more. Head back downtown the next day – there’s a pancake breakfast and the Canada 150 parade on July 2nd. Don’t forget to IG the giant Canada 150 sign while you’re here.

Canada 150 Parade
Sunday, July 2, 5-6:30 pm (free) | Downtown Vancouver
Nothing like a parade of floats and marching bands to commemorate this extraordinary year. Grab your shades, sunscreen, and patriotic flags and head downtown – the route stretches from Broughton to West Georgia, turns north on Burrard, and ends at West Pender.

Canada Day on Granville Island
Saturday, July 1, all day (free) | Granville Island, Vancouver
A hub of family-friendly action, Granville Island does not hold back on Canada Day celebrations. A full day of live music, food, activities, street entertainment, and Canada Day deals are in store. Pro-tip: Make Vancouver has free arts and crafts and a life-size cut out of Justin Trudeau that’s not to be missed.

Vancouver Convention Centre: Open House
Saturday, July 1, 11am – 6pm (free) | Vancouver Convention Centre
This is your chance to wander into one Vancouver’s most iconic buildings. It’s the home of the global TED Conference and the venue of many conferences and trade shows year-round. Highlights: the lush living roof, marine habitat, and lots of family-friendly activities.

Canada 150 Atlantic to Pacific Drumming Celebration
Saturday, July 1, 10am (free) | Creekside Park, 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver
Join this simultaneous, country-wide drumming celebration and make history. This celebration is trying to break the Guinness World Record. All Canadians are invited to participate from coast to coast to coast.

Canada Day 150 #onRobson
Saturday, July 1, 11am – 4pm (free) | Robson Street, Vancouver
Robson Street (between Burrard and Denman) will be bustling with activity. There will be music, giveaways, promos, and more. Participating businesses will be hosting sampling, special sales, free workouts, prizes, and more. If you need a break, head over to VIVA Vancouver’s outdoor lounge area on Bute.

Royal Canadian Mint
Saturday, July 1, 10am-5:30pm | 752 Granville Street, Vancouver
Here’s a small token to commemorate our country’s 150 years of Confederation. The Mint is releasing a new 1-dollar coin (Connecting A Nation) and their own Canada 150-themed token. Note: There’s a limit of five, 1-dollar coins (while supplies last) and two free token strikes per guest.

Canada Day Cook Out
Saturday, July 1, 1-8pm (ticketed) | Olympic Village, Vancouver
It’s not a celebration unless there is live music, cold beer, and a big old barbecue fired up. Grab a ticket ($10-$59) and head over to Olympic Village for this giant outdoor Canadian-style party. This is just one event that YVR Food Fest is putting on – they’ve got lots of other food-related events in their summer lineup. PS. Did you enter our @YVRFoodFest giveaway? Congrats to the winners!

Canada 150 events beyond YVR

  • Burnaby’s Canada Day
    Saturday, July 1, Gates at 5pm (free) | Swanguard Stadium, Burnaby
    Concert, activities, exhibitors, and fireworks. Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies) headlines – Canadiana!
  • Richmond’s Canada Day & Salmon Festival
    Saturday, July 1, 10am-10:30pm (free) | Steveston Village, Richmond
    Year after year, Steveston brings it with a street party, parade, trade show, children and youth festival, food fair, artisan gallery, food trucks, fireworks, and more. The best part: 1200+ pounds of wild salmon fillets will be grilled over open fire pits. 
  • Canada Day at Mcarthurglen
    Saturday, July 1 (free) | Mcarthurglen Outlets, Richmond
    Vancouver’s largest outdoor yoga event, live music, family-friendly games, and a mega summer sale.
  • New Westminster’s Canada Day
    Saturday, July 1, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm (free) | Queen’s Park Bandshell, New West
    Arts and heritage workshops, presentations, and more.
  • Surrey’s Canada Day
    Saturday, July 1, 10 am – 11 pm (free) | Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, Surrey
    Concerts, 60+ exhibitions, Kids’ World, amusement rides, and fireworks for the finale.
  • Coquitlam’s Canada Day
    Saturday, July 1, 12 pm – 10:30 pm (free) | Town Centre Park, Coquitlam
    Entertainment, family-friendly activities, performers, and more.
  • North Vancouver’s Canada Day
    Saturday, July 1, 12 – 4 pm (free) | Waterfront Park, North Vancouver
    Main Stage, live music, dance performances, food trucks. Great place to watch the fireworks!

Other fun things to note

 

Photo credit: Canada Place

, , , ,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *