Given global events, it seems like Canada Day 2025 may be one of the most patriotic in some time.
Dozens of festivals and special events are being held across Metro Vancouver, with local bands, food trucks, and kids activities at pretty much all of them.
Here are some of them, all free and all on July 1.
Major events
Canada Together at Canada Place
The largest July 1 event in Vancouver, Canada Together will feature classic Canada Day events like live local bands, a kids zone, and food trucks. It'll also feature a citizenship ceremony where 40 new Canadians will join the nation. An Indigenous marketplace with art, home decor and more is also on offer.
"The theme of the event, 'Weaving together the fabric of a nation,' was chosen to honour Canada’s diversity and set an intention for the day to gather, celebrate, learn, and share," reads the event's website.
The main stage will be part of CBC's national Canada Day broadcast and will feature Dear Rouge as the headliners, with support from Hotel Mira, Ramen Fog and more.
Canada Together will cover a large area, including the area around Canada Place and Jack Poole Plaza.
No fireworks or drone show are expected for this event.
When: Activities run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Canada Place - 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Steveston Salmon Festival
One of the oldest events happening on July 1, the Steveston Salmon Festival is celebrating 78 years in Richmond.
Things kick off with a pair of parades. The first one, a kids bike parade starts at 9:30 a.m. (any kids can join as long as they show up at Chatham Street and Fourth Avenue at 8:30 a.m.). The main parade starts at 10 a.m.
Throughout the day there will be live music on multiple stages, a Japanese cultural showcase, salmon-themed activities, and a community art show.
Headliners Ten Souljers wrap up their show at the Spirit of Steveson Stage (the main stage) at 7:30 p.m.
Due to the size of the event, organizers suggest transit as an option. Detours and special parking instructions are planned.
When: The parade starts at 10 a.m. Activities run from noon to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Steveston Community Park - 4011 Moncton St., Richmond
Cost: Free
StreetFest on Central
The biggest Canada Day event in Burnaby will by StreetFest, near the boarder with Vancouver.
Starting a little later than other events, the fest promises an evening of fun with performances by Asad Khan, Kaeley Jade and headliners MAGIC! (remember "Rude"?)
Along with the music, there will be a kids stage at the Civic Square, a quiet zone for people who'd like that, and a community zone with cultural performances from groups like South African drummers and Chinese Lion dancers. At least 17 food trucks have confirmed their attendance.
Things will culminate with fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
Organizers encourage people use transit to get to the event (Patterson SkyTrain Station is located beside the main stage). There will be road closures in the area and detours.
When: Runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fireworks are planned for 10:15 p.m.
Where: Civic Square, Central Boulevard and Central Park - 4101 Beresford St., Burnaby
Cost: Free
Canada Day 2025 in New Westminster
B.C.'s oldest city celebrates Canada Day with two stages of music, family-friendly activities and cultural performances (including a limbo performer).
The main stage will include local acts like Devon More and Bend Sinister.
When: Runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Queen's Park - 51 3rd Ave., New Westminster
Cost: Free
City of Coquitlam Canada Day
One of the biggest events in Metro Vancouver, the City of Coquitlam estimates 30,000 watched the fireworks on July 1, 2024. And they're expecting a repeat this year.
Town Centre Park will host two stages with entertainment, family adventure games (including an inflatable slide and climbing wall), cultural displays, and an "eat street."
The day will end with fireworks at 10 p.m.
When: Runs from noon to 10:30 p.m. Fireworks are at 10 p.m.
Where: Town Centre Park - 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Cost: Free
Canada Day in Port Coquitlam
A day of festivities celebrating Canada will culminate with a pair of big-name artists on the stage. The day will include live music (including local indie band The Matinee opening things at 1 p.m.), food trucks and fireworks. There will also be kids activities and a marketplace.
The family-friendly event is also blanket-friendly, as people are encouraged to spend the day at Castle Park.
Country star Aaron Pritchett and rock legends Trooper will headline in the evening with a fireworks show at 10:20 p.m.
Due to the expected size of the event, there will be detours around the park, and parking may be difficult. Organizers advise people to take transit. Also, there will be a free shuttle to the park from nearby public sites:
- Minnekhada Middle School
- James Park Elementary School
- Pitt River Middle School
- Kilmer Elementary School
- Port Coquitlam Community Centre
When: Activities start at 1 p.m. Fireworks start at 10:20 p.m.
Where: Castle Park - 2252 Castle Cres., Port Coquitlam
Cost: Free
Canada Day in Maple Ride
This family-friendly event will pack a lot into five hours.
Four stages of entertainment are planned, with everything from local bands to a fitness group to a contortionist.
There's also a large community market and display area, including groups representing vintage cars, astronomers, and ukulele players.
For kids, there will be a variety of activities, including an all-ages climbing wall, toddler hockey, hamster ball races (people go in giant hamster balls), and a bungee station.
When: Runs from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Memorial Peace Park - 11930 224 St., Maple Ridge
Cost: Free
Surrey Canada Day
One of the biggest Canada Day celebrations in Western Canada, this Cloverdale-based event will feature The Reklaws headlining, fireworks, and an amusement park with classic fair rides.
Stages filled with music, Indigenous cultural sharing, cultural performances, and kids performers will keep people entertained.
To keep people active, there will be sports and games including street hockey and pickup soccer.
And, of course, there will be food trucks.
A fireworks show will close things out at 10:15 p.m.
When: Runs from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fireworks start at 10:15 p.m.
Where: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre - 17728 64 Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free
Community Events
Canada Day at the Kitsilano Showboat
When: Runs from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Kitsilano Showboat - 2300 Cornwall Ave., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Canada Day at the Burnaby Village Museum
When: Runs from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Where: Burnaby Village Museum - 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
Cost: Free
Canada Day at the Shipyards
When: Runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards - 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free
Canada Day in West Vancouver
When: Runs from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: John Lawson Park - 1716 Argyle Ave., West Vancouver
Cost: Free
Canada Day at the BC Farm Museum
When: Runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: BC Farm Museum - 9131 King St., Langley Township
Cost: Free
Canada Day in Delta
When: Runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fireworks at 10 p.m.
Where: Chalmers Park - 11400 76a Ave., Delta
Cost: Free
Canada Day by the Bay
When: Runs from noon to 10:30 p.m. Fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
Where: Chalmers Park - 15300 Marine Dr., White Rock
Cost: Free
Canada Day Reimagined
When: Runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Bowen Island Community Centre - 580 Bowen Island Trunk Rd., Bowen Island
Cost: Free
Canada Day in the Township
When: Runs from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Drone show starts at 10:15 p.m.
Where: McLeod Athletic Park - 5687 216 St., Township of Langley
Cost: Free
Canada Day in Abbotsford
When: Parade starts at 11 a.m. Festival runs from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fireworks start at 10 p.m.
Where: Abbotsford Exhibition Park - 32470 Haida Dr., Abbotsford
Cost: Free
