Oh, Canada! Our home and native land…

Vancouver Islanders sure know how to celebrate this glorious country we live in.

If you are looking for something to do on July 1, head to any of the below-mentioned festivities to help get you in the Canadian spirit.

The list of Canada Day celebrations on Vancouver Island is arranged from South to North.

Canada Day Celebrations on Vancouver Island

Victoria – Downtown

On Sunday, July 1, you can expect an impressive line-up of local performers, family-friendly activities, and multicultural programming.  The evening will end with spectacular fireworks over Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

Anticipated events:

• Living Flag

• Kids Zone

• Youth Band

• Local and multicultural performances

Where: Inner Harbour. Performances will take place on the Legislature Lawn.

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Port Renfrew

Celebrate Canada Day in Port Renfrew. They will be hosting their own carnival this year (2019). With lots of activities for all members of the family, including a parade. Everyone is welcome to take part in the parade. Decorate your car, trailer, bike, face, dog, etc., and join in on the fun! Prizes will be given out for best floats. The parade starts at the Wild Renfrew Adventure Centre and ends at Beach Camp where the float winners will be announced with games and hot dogs.

The event will offer the chance to win one of three prizes, including a helicopter ride and lunch in Tofino, two Beach Cruiser bicycles, and a $150 gift card from the Pitstop.

• Kids fishing derby at Pacific Gateway Marina (10:00 am-noon)
• Parade (starting at 3:00)
• Carnival games at Beach Camp between 4:00 – 8:00 pm
• ‘Beer Garden’ at Beach Camp (4:00 – 8:00 pm)
• Fireworks at the Community Dock (9:45 pm)

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Sidney

Celebrate Canada Day in Sidney. Start the day with a pancake breakfast (8:00 am), followed by the annual parade (11:30 – 12:30).

The Parade route begins at Resthaven Drive and Beacon Avenue. It continues down Beacon Avenue, turns right onto Second Street and ends at Ocean Avenue. Once the parade completes its route, people are encouraged to move to Iroquois Park to join in the Family Fun Fair (12:30 – 4:00 pm) where the fun continues.

Enjoy a variety of activities for the entire family including an inflatable obstacle course, carnival-style games, dog show, watermelon eating contest, and so much more!

Esquimalt

Enjoy a picnic, parade, Show and Shine, canoe rides and so much more!

Where: Gorge Waterway (between Tillicum and Admirals Road, Victoria)

Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Admission: FREE

Celebrate Canada Day along the beautiful Gorge Waterway with several planned events.

• Pancake breakfast
• Family parade
• Show & Shine Car show
• Stage entertainment
• Food
• Canoe rides
• Kids’ inflatables and activities
• Street hockey
• Strawberry Tea
• Canada Day market
• and much more!

For more information, please visit the Gorge Canada Day Picnic website.

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Colwood

Celebrate Canada Day with a piece of cake!

Where: Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites (603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd, Victoria)

Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Admission: FREE (cake is free too)

Canada Day’s biggest birthday cake is always served at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. Celebrate Canada’s special day and join the excitement. Clap your hands, or dance yourself silly to the live music throughout the day. Be a kid again, jump in and take part in all the fun activities. Enjoy the food and snacks at the concession, but remember to leave a bit of room for a piece of the HUGE cake.

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Cowichan Area

Town of Lake Cowichan
Festivities start at 11 A.M. at the Ts’uubaa-astax Town Square in Lake Cowichan. Food, Music, Arts and Cultural activities and fun for kids until 3 P.M.

Youbou in Arbutus Park starts at 10 am Food, Music, activities and fun for kids until 2pm

Honeymoon Bay at the Honeymoon Bay Hall starts at 10:00 am, with scholarship awards at 10:45 am. Cake, Music, and award presentations until 2 P.M.

Mesachie Lake at the Skydome Park, concession, cake, Music, activities and fun for kids 6pm to 8pm

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Duncan

Celebrate Canada Day at the BC Forest Discovery Centre

Address: 2892 Drinkwater Rd

Dates: June 30, July 1 & July 2

Time: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Admission: $5.00

There will be many family activities to enjoy.

• Steam train rides
• Crafts
• BBQ
• Tattoos
• and more!

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Chemainus

Enjoy a terrific family-friendly event!

Where: Waterwheel Park (9799 Waterwheel Crescent)

Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Admission: FREE

Waterwheel Park sets the stage for this annual family-friendly event where there is a little something for everyone, no matter your age! Guest can enjoy a myriad of FREE activities and perks like tasty treats, a petting zoo’s, pony rides, a bouncy castle, games, live music and much more. All the events take place between 11 am – 3 pm, leaving lots of time for you to simply enjoy a day in the park dressed in red and white.

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Ladysmith

The town of Ladysmith will be hosting a fun celebration this year. There will be kids games and activities, live music, a giant cake, and more!

Where: Transfer Beach

Time: 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Admission: FREE

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Nanaimo

Head to the park for a day of fun!

Where: Maffeo Sutton Park

Time: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Admission: FREE

Wear your Red & White and join in on some awesome family activities, entertainment, food and more! This event is FREE to attend. Lots of events and live entertainment happening all day long. Family activities include face painting, crafts, games, bouncy castles, kayaking, balloon animals, magic, dance performances, and much more!

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Parksville

Enjoy one of the largest celebrations on Vancouver Island!

Where: Parksville Community Park

Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Admission: FREE

The day’s festivities kick off with the Shriner’s Pancake Breakfast, parade, and family-focused entertainment and activities. The day ends with the fabulous grand finale fireworks, sponsored by Thrifty Foods. Add in food trucks, concessions, and artisan booths and it will be a full day of family fun.

Event Schedule:

• Shriner’s Pancake Breakfast 7:30 am -11:00 a.m.
• Parade (Pioneer Crescent to Parksville Community & Conference Centre) – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Opening ceremonies – 12:00 noon
• Entertainment – 12:30 pm to dusk, featuring a variety of talent
• Thrifty Foods Fireworks Spectacular – 10:15 p.m

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Qualicum Beach

Canada Day 2019 festivities at the Qualicum Beach Legion in conjunction with the Town of Qualicum Beach. The family day event starts with an early morning pancake breakfast and ends with a street dance later that night!
Pancake Breakfast: 8:30 – 11:30 AM
Parade Starts at: 11:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies & Cake Cutting: 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM
Concessions in the Legion Garden: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Music on Veterans Way Stage: 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Activities along Veterans Way: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Street Dance: 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM

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Bowser

Enjoy a Classic Car Show & Shine plus a BBQ!

Where: Bowser Legion (7035 West Island Hwy, Bowser)

Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission: FREE

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Comox Valley

A premier yearly event!

Where: Downtown Courtney, Lewis Park, and Simms Park

Time: All day event starting with a parade at 10:00 am

Admission: FREE

This all-day event full of a variety of activities will be great fun for the whole family!

What to expect:

• Parade
• Ducky 500 (duck race)
• 5th Street Mile (running event)
• Free swim
• Tea Dance
• Museum open house
• Kids’ activities
• Horseshoe Pitch
• Variety show
• and much more!

Further information, including times and location of all events, can be found on the Comox Valley Canada Day website.

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Campbell River

A full day of events!

Where: At a variety of locations in Campbell River

Time: 8:00 AM to approximately 10:30 PM

This Canada Day event has a full day of activities, starting with a pancake breakfast and ending with a Festival of Lights display.  Fun for all ages.

What to expect:

• Pancake breakfast
• Parade
• BBQ
• Cake
• Pipe Band
• Helicopter rides
• Woodcarving
• Dragon Boat race
• Skateboard competition
• Quality Foods Kids Fest
• Live music & entertainment
• Fishing Derby
• Hockey Challenge
• Crafts
• Face painting
• Festival of Lights

Further information, including times of all events, can be found on the Campbell River Canada Day Event website.

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Port Alberni

Port Alberni is hosting their 61st Annual Canada Day Parade.

The parade features many creative floats all of which start on Stamp Avenue outside of the Catalyst Parking lot. The Parade will start at the sound of the Steam Whistle (around 10:00 am) from the 1929 Baldwin Steam Train which will be about 1.5 km away – south of the Parade Start. The parade then continues to Port Alberni’s Harbour Quay area. Once at the Quay, the party takes over with many vendors set up for all to enjoy!

Events happen all day and into the evening at Harbour Quay. Expect cake, food, face painting and art projects for the kids, music and a family friendly movie (DUMBO) on a big screen at 9:00 PM.

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Tofino

Head to the Village Green in Tofino for a full day of festivities celebrating July 1st, Canada’s Birthday!

• Market:  10 – 2 pm
• Kids activities: all day
• Skate competition registration: 11:00 am
• Skate competition begins at 12:00 pm until it ends!
• Cake cutting: 1:00 pm
• The outdoor concert starts: 7:00 pm
• Fireworks: after 10:00 pm

Free Shuttle for Esowista and Ty-histanis as follows:

• Esowista Entrance/Ty-Histanis – Tofino Bus Dept 1pm – 11pm
• Depart Esowista at: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9pm
• Depart Tofino at: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 11pm

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Ucluelet

Head to the Village Green from 12:00 – 3:00 pm for some Canada Day festivities. Expect artisans, kids activities, local vendors, Free hot dog BBQ, and live music.

If you know of any other Canada Day Celebrations on Vancouver Island, please let me know in the comments below.