vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | June 30, 2010
It’s the first long weekend of summer and it’s packed with patriotic fun, we’re bringing you this a day early so you’re completely prepared for Canada Day tomorrow and the weekend that follows. And we’ll be doing something we’ve never done before, taking Friday off because we suspect most of you will be too. Oh and if the weather’s good be sure to take advantage of the fact that all the wading pools and water and spray parks are now open. And you can also celebrate by making this easy Canada Day cake.
Granville Island: Canada Day 2010
Thursday, July 1st, 8 am – 11 pm, various times and locations, Granville Island, Vancouver
The island will be seriously hopping with bike decorating, a parade, jazz performances, a Canada Day ceremony, a pancake breakfast, lobster BBQ and pies, the False Creek Ferry ballet and loads of family fun at the False Creek Community Centre and Kids Market. There’s simply too much fun to list it all here, so be sure to check their site for times and details: www.granvilleisland.com
North Shore Pancake Breakfast & Canada Day Parade
Thursday, July 1st, 8 am – pancake breakfast at Grand Boulevard Park at 14th Street, 10 am: – parade starts at 13th Street & Grand Boulevard and proceeds down 13th Street to Lonsdale, turning north on Lonsdale, North Vancouver
Enjoy patriotic pancakes and a parade while celebrating the local community: www.northshoreparade.org
7th Central Lonsdale Festival Dayz
Thursday, July 1st, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm, Civic Plaza, North Vancouver
Celebrate your country while raising funds for Lions Gate Hospital Foundation and North Shore Rescue. Hatz Hair Studio has banded together with local businesses and volunteers to bring public awareness to these great causes while having fun: www.cnv.org
Celebrate Canada Day at the Maritime Museum
Thursday July 1st, 10 am – 5 pm, Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Avenue in Vanier Park, Vancouver
The museum will be celebrating Canada Day with wooden boat building, pirate hats and paper crafts, balloon artistry, historical puppet theatre performances and more. And admission and all activities are free for the day: www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Canada Day at Canada Place
Thursday, July 1st, 10 am – 6 pm, parade at 7 pm (West Georgia & Broughton streets), fireworks at 10:30 pm, Canada Place, Vancouver
Vancouver’s classic Canada Day celebration is in its 23rd year. In addition to heaps of live musical acts, shows and entertainment you can catch some 2010 soccer fever. Then there’s the first annual parade starting at Georgia and Broughton Streets at 7 pm and you can top your day off with fireworks: www.canadaday.canadaplace.ca
North Vancouver Canada Day
Thursday, July 1st, 12 noon – 4 pm, Waterfront Park, 200 block of West Esplanade, North Vancouver
Enjoy live multicultural entertainment, the official ceremony at 1:40 pm, maypole dancing, jugglers, the Welh Tima Kexwesem Native Dance Group and lots more: www.northvancanadaday.com
Canada Day Celebration – West Vancouver
Thursday, July 1st, Noon – 11 pm, John Lawson Park, bottom of 17th Street, West Vancouver
Pack a picnic or enjoy the onsite BBQ and deck yourself out in your best red and white outfit to partake patriotic fun and lots of live entertainment. Plus enjoy two sets of fireworks at 10:30 pm one off the shores of West Vancouver and one in the waterway between Canada Place and North Vancouver: www.westvancouver.ca
Canada Day on Robson Street
Thursday, July 1st, Noon – 6 pm, 800 block of Bute between Robson and the lane-way just south of Robson Street, Vancouver
It’s our 143rd birthday and Robson Street is celebrating with live entertainment, free giveaways (iPad anyone?), face painters, balloons flags and more: www.robsonstreet.ca
Canada Day Celebration at Britannia Centre
Thursday, July 1st, 12:30 pm – 3 pm, Victoria Park, 1415 Victoria Drive @ Kitchener Street, Vancouver
The park will be packed with live entertainment, games, food and lots more family-friendly free fun: britanniacentre.org
Yaletown Grand Prix & Canada Day Street Party
Thursday, July 1st, 1 pm racing begins, Yaletown between Nelson and Davie Streets, Vancouver
It’s the Sixth Canada Day bike race and the streets will be packed with spectators and riders. The street party on the 1200 block of Hamilton Street will feature live entertainment, a marshmallow golf tourney and more fun: www.yaletowngrandprix.com & www.yaletowninfo.com
Canada Day at the Kitsilano Showboat
Thursday, July 1st, 3 pm – 8 pm, Kitsilano
Showboat, 2300 Cornwall at Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver
Will Stroet, Max Tell and Dal Richards – among others – will be celebrating Canada Day in Kits at the Showboat: kitsilanoshowboat.com
Canada Day at Londsdale Quay
Thursday, July 1st, Lonsdale Quay, 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Radically Hip, Canada’s foremost Tragically Hip tribute band will be rocking out at the Quay, plus there’ll be face painting, balloons and free Canada flags: www.lonsdalequay.com
Summerfest – Kid’s Fridays at Londsdale Quay
Friday, July 2nd, 2 pm – 3 pm, Londsdale Quay, 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Every Friday over the summer Lonsdale Quay will be hopping with kid-friendly fun including a kids’ menu from East Side Mario on the plaza from 1 pm to 2 pm, face painting and balloon twisting and this Friday they’re featuring children’s entertainer Will Stroet from 2 pm to 3 pm: www.lonsdalequay.com
Sunrise Summer Kickoff
Saturday, July 3rd, 10 am – 3 pm, Hastings Sunrise Parking Lot (2500 block Franklin Street), Vancouver
Its the 9th annual Sunrise Summer Kickoff with a huge street hockey tourney for kids from kindergarten to Grade 7, music, entertainment and booths hosted by community partners and associations: www.hastingssunrise.ca
Teletoon Most Awesome Summer Tour
Saturday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 4th, 10 am – 8 pm, Playland, 2901 Hastings Street East, Vancouver
It’s TELETOON live with games to play, prizes to win, a chance to star in your very own music video thanks to the Total Dram World Tour Karaoke Contest, a life-size puzzle challenge with the Johnny Test Lab-O-Mania and the TELETOON Spin-To-Win Wheel: www.teletoon.com
Farther Afield:
Langley Canada Day Celebrations at McLeod Park
Wednesday, June 30th, 3 pm – 11 pm & Thursday, July 1st, 11 am – 11 pm, McLeod Park, 56th Avenue and 216th Street across from the Langley Regional Airport
With live entertainment and fireworks on both days, Bobs & Lolo, a flash mob, a giant Canada Day LEGO creation, a dog show and lots, lots, more it’s small wonder this is one of BC’s largest Canada Day celebrations. And don’t forget their colouring contest for kids : www.langleycanadaday.ca
Steveston Salmon Festival
Thursday, July 1st, 6:30 am – 6 pm, Steveston Village, Richmond
Start the day off early with a pancake breakfast, then there’s the parade at 10 am, everything from a salmon bake to a craft fair, children’s festival and carnival at this traditional, all ages event: www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca
Canada Day by the Bay – Whiterock
Thursday, July 1st, 8 am – dusk, East and West Beach, Whiterock
Both East Beach and West Beach will be busy hosting a run, BC Kiteflyers display, kids sandcastle event, a kidz zone, live entertainment on the CIBC Grandview Corners Main Stage, hotdogs and heaps more. Definitely check out their site in advance to plan your day: www.city.whiterock.bc.ca
Abbotsford Canada Day 2010 Celebrations
Thursday, July 1st, 8 am – 10 pm, various locations, Abbotsford
Start the day with pancakes, end it with fireworks and in the middle partake of the parade. Oh and there’s a family festival as well. Be sure to check their site for all the fun details: www.tourismabbotsford.ca
Canada Day Pitt Meadows
Thursday, July 1st, 8 am – 11:45 pm, Cenotaph next to City Hall – 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows
The day begins with an eight K walk/run at 8 am, an official Canada Day ceremony at the cenotaph at 10:30 am, a pancake breakfast, kids zone, entertainment, a First Nations blessing and lots, lots more: www.pittmeadows.bc.ca
Canada Day Celebrations – Mission
Thursday, July 1st, 8:30 am – 10 pm, Fraser River Heritage Park, located off 5th Avenue East of Stave Lake Street, Mission
This event in seriously packed with fun. Think flag raising ceremonies, gladiator jousting, hot air balloon rides, a superdawg show, pony rides, face painting, hay rides, crafts, a huge inflatable train and castle and fireworks at 10 pm: www.mission.ca
Canada Day at Fort Langley
Thursday, July 1st, 9 am – 6 pm, 23433 Mavis Avenue, Langley
The birthplace of BC is the perfect place to celebrate Canada Day with breakfast by the Fort Langley Lions Club, barrel races, a tug-of-war, gold panning, live music and, of course, birthday cake. And it’s all for free: www.pc.gc.ca
Canada Day Maple Ridge
Thursday, July 1st, 10 am – 4 pm, Memorial Peace Park, 119th Avenue and 224th Street, Maple Ridge
Memorial Park will be bustling with the Haney Farmers Market, interactive family fun, official ceremonies and a flag raising, entertainment, food and more: www.mapleridge.ca
Canada Day at the Bear Creek Park Train
Thursday, July 1st, 10 am – 8:30 pm, Bear Creek Park, 13750 – 88th Avenue at King George Highway, Surrey
Enjoy the “Happy Canada Day” tunnel display, check out the Honey Bear mascot who’ll be cavorting in the forest and kids will get a Canadian flag, a maple leaf tattoo and a chance to make their own Canada headbands: www.bctrains.com
Surrey Canada Day
Thursday, July 1st, 10 am – 10 pm, Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre, 176 Street & 64th Avenue, Surrey
This is Western Canada’s largest July 1st celebration and it includes live entertainment from the likes of Honeymoon Suite, ODDS and Dragonette, BC Hydro’s Sustainability Zone, a Sports Zone, Right to Play Zone and a great kids zone, amusement rides and much, much more, and it all wraps up with fireworks: www.canadaday.surrey.ca
Richmond Park Canada Day Celebration, Burnaby
Thursday, July 1st, 11 am – 2:30 pm, Richmond Park, Elwell & Humphries Street, (behind Eastburn Centre – 7435 Edmonds Street), Burnaby
Wear red, get your face painted, play parachute games, road hockey, volleyball or basketball and there’ll be lots of multicultural entertainment too: www.burnaby.ca
Canada Day & Golden Spike Days Celebration
Thursday, July 1st – Saturday, July 3rd, 11 am – 11 pm, Sunday, July 4th, 11 am – 6 pm, Port Moody Station Museum, 2734 Murray St. near Rocky Point Park, Port Moody
Packed with kid-friendly fun including boat building, a petting zoo, hat making and there’ll also be a Golden Spike Scavenger Hunt, old fashioned train comedy from Three Stooges and Little Rascals, a chance to learn Morse Code and free Canada Day cake on July 1st: www.goldenspike.ca
Burnaby Village Museum Canada Day
Thursday, July 1st, 11 am – 4:30 pm, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
It’s a party at the Burnaby Village Museum as they’re hosting Burnaby’s Official Canada Day celebration with heritage games, face painting, entertainment, living statues, arts and crafts a parade and birthday gateau at 2:30 pm: www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Canada Day Celebrations
Thursday, July 1st, 11:30 am, Queens Park, First Street and Third Avenue, New Westminster
Western Canada’s oldest city, New Westminister, always throws a great Canada Day soiree with a Happy Birthday Canada party in Queens Park that’s packed with fun, entertainment, activities, music and birthday cake. The party wraps up with fireworks on the Quay at 10:15 pm: nwpr.bc.ca
Celebrate Canada Day at Haney House
Thursday, July 1st, 1 pm – 4 pm, Haney House Museum, 111612 224th Street, Maple Ridge
It’s Canada Day the old fashioned way. You can dress up in costumes, play heritage games, take a guided tour of the house and enjoy refreshments in the garden after you’ve had your face painted: mapleridgemuseum.blogspot.com
Port Coquitlam Celebrates Canada Day
Thursday, July 1st, various times and locations, Port Coquitlam
Start your day off with a fishing derby at Lions Park from 8 am – 11:30 am, then hit Castle Park for lots of live entertainment, an international bazaar, children’s activities, opening ceremonies and cake cutting and a fabulous fireworks finale to finish it off: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Canada Day in Delta
Thursday, July 1st, various times and locations, Delta, Ladner, and Tsawwassen
Delta, Ladner and Tsawwassen will be hopping with fireworks, BBQs, a family concert with Bobs & Lolo, children’s activities and more. Be sure to check their site for more details: www.corp.delta.bc.ca
Canada Day Celebrations Harrison Hot Spring
Thursday, July 1st, Harrison Hot Springs
Harrison is celebrating our birthday with a pancake breakfast in the Fire Hall, a tug-o-war battle between Agassiz and Harrison Public works staff, a parade, a performance from children’s entertainer Mark Wolfe and fireworks at dusk. We couldn’t find time or location details but we’re pretty sure it’ll be clear when you roll into town: www.tourismharrison.com
Outdoor Movie: “How to Train Your Dragon”
Saturday July 3rd, seating starts at 6 pm, movie starts at dusk, West Beach, WhiteRock
Hang out on the West Beach by the White Rock and enjoy music by Glen Pearson and the outdoor market and artist walk that runs from 10 am to dusk and is followed by the hit flick: www.stayplaywhiterock.com
Exotic Reptile Show
Saturday, July 3rd & Sunday, July 4th, 11 am- 4 pm, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Catch the West Coast Society for the Protection and Conservation of Reptiles at the Richmond Nature Park and get hands-on with the exotic reptiles and find out what it feels like to a touch a snake’s skin or look them in the eye: www.richmond.ca
The Abbotsford BerryBeat Festival
Saturday, July 3rd – Sunday, July 4th, all day, Montrose Road & Essenden Street, downtown Abbotsford
Boy oh boy will there be berries and heaps of fun, so much that we couldn’t fit it all in here which is why you’ll want to check out their site: www.downtownabbotsford.com
Summer Sundays at Civic Square in Burnaby
Sunday, July 4th – Sunday, August 29th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Civic Square beside Bob Prittie Library at Kingsborough and McKay, Burnaby
Summer Sundays kick off with great local entertainment including playground activities as an easy way to have fun every weekend: www.shadboltcentre.com
Tanabata – Japanese Star Festival
Tuesday, July 6th – Saturday, July 10th, 11 am – 5 pm, Japanese Canadian National Museum, #120-6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
This traditional summer festival is all about making paper decorations and writing your wish upon a colourful paper streamer and then hang the decoration onto the bamboo for their lobby display: www.jcnm.ca
Twilight Tuesday
Tuesday, July 6th, 7:30 pm – 9 pm, Maple Ridge Bandstand, 224th Street, Maple Ridge
The Maple Ridge Concert Band’s annual summer concert series kicks off this Tuesday and will run throughout select Tuesday evenings in July and August: www.mrcb.ca
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!
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