As November 11th approaches, many of us will gather to remember and honour those who served for us during times of war. Originally commemorating the end of World War I, Remembrance Day is also a time to honour those who’ve served in the many conflicts since then, those who’ve served here at home, and those who are currently serving. There are several Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Vancouver and around the Lower Mainland, and there are some other events that honour our soldiers, what we’ve fought, and what we’ve won. Here’s a list of all the November 11th Remembrance Day events we’ve found:
Vancouver Remembrance Day Ceremonies:
Vancouver Remembrance Day Ceremony At The Victory Square Cenotaph
10:30 am, Victory Square, 200 W Hastings Street (at Cambie Street), Vancouver
Remembrance Day In Chinatown
12:30 pm, Corner of Keefer and Columbia Street, Vancouver
South Memorial Cenotaph Remembrance Day Service
10 am, South Memorial Park Cenotaph, 41st Avenue at Windsor Street, Vancouver
UBC Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony
10 am, UBC War Memorial Gym, 6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Japanese Canadian War Memorial
11 am, Japanese War Memorial, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Remembrance Day Service At The Victoria Park Cenotaph
10:30 am – 11:15 am, North Vancouver Cenotaph, 1200 Lonsdale, North Vancouver
Remembrance Day Parade And Service
11 am, 18th Street & Marine Drive and Memorial Arch, West Vancouver
Community Ceremonies Further Afield:
Abbotsford – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, Thunderbird Memorial Square, Veterans Way, Abbotsford
Burnaby – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, Confederation Park, 250 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby
Burnaby – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, Corner of Nelson Ave and Emperial Street, Burnaby
Chilliwack – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, 5661 Vedder Road, Chilliwack
Chilliwack – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10 am, Evergreen Hall, 9291 Corbould Street, Chilliwack
Cloverdale – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:15 am, Cenotaph, 62 Avenue, Cloverdale
Coquitlam – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, Blue Mountain Cenotaph, 1121 King Albert Avenue (at Veterans Way), Coquitlam
Delta – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, North Delta Social Heart Plaza, 11415 84 Avenue, Delta
Delta – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, 47th Avenue and Delta Street, Delta
Ladner – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, Ladner Memorial Park, 47 Avenue & Garry Street, Ladner
Langley – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, 20570 56 Avenue, Langley
Maple Ridge – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:45 am, 11960 Haney Place, Maple Ridge
New Westminster
10 am, Royal Westminster Regiment Armoury, 530 Queens Avenue, New Westminster
Pitt Meadows – Remembrance Day Ceremony
10:30 am, Spirit Square Cenotaph, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows
Port Coquitlam – Cenotaph Remembrance Service
11 am, Veterans Park, 2580 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam
Port Coquitlam – Remembrance Day Ceremony
Time TBA, Wilson Centre, 2150 Wilson Avenue, Port Coquitlam
Surrey – Surrey Remembers
11 am, Surrey Cenotaph, 17710-56A Street, Surrey
White Rock – Remembrance Day Ceremony
11 am, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 008, 1273 Fir Street, White Rock
Other Remembrance Day Events:
Remembrance Day Flags
Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser Street, Vancouver
Started in 2004 by Kelly Hake, there is now a tradition of placing Canadian flags on the graves of the more than 12,000 veterans at Mountain View Cemetery. The cemetery carries the tradition forward, and it’s quite a sight to see. You can head their after one of the Remembrance Day ceremonies: vancouver.ca
Surrey Remembers
9:30 – 12:30 am, Surrey Museum, 17710 – 56A Avenue, Surrey
After the ceremony at the cenotaph, head to the Surrey Museum where there will be peace-themed crafts for the kids, refreshments, documentaries and veterans available to chat: www.surrey.ca
Remembrance Day Concert
2 pm – 4 pm, ACT Theatre Maple Ridge, 11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge
Spend the day honouring war heroes while enjoying Dal Richards and his orchestra. Then stay for tea and dessert: www.veterans.gc.ca
Remembrances
7 pm, Fraser Valley Stage The Reach, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford
This collection of music and poetry seeks to keep spirits uplifted while also reflecting the longing for home, and for peace: www.fraservalleystage.com
Voices in Peace
7 pm, Fraserview Mennonite Brethren Church, 11295 Mellis Drive, Richmond
This performance seeks to expand the understanding of war as a grievance of loss, to include the notion of what peace and hope can look like in the world today: www.richmondyouthhonourchoir.org
Chor Leoni’s Annual Remembrance Day Concerts
Friday November 11th performances, 1 pm, West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt Avenue, West Vancouver & 7:30 pm, Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street, Vancouver, or Saturday November 12th, 2 pm, Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Chor Leoni’s Remembrance Day performances focus not on formal speeches or traditional songs, but on the feelings of the soldiers, as shown in their letters to their loved ones at home: www.chorleoni.org