4 places to celebrate on Canada Day

Not sure what to do on our nation’s 150th birthday? We’ve got you covered!

Victoria has plenty of activities taking place on Canada Day, including musical performances, gourmet offerings, colourful parades, and more.

Check out these four great family-friendly events:

1 – Spirit of 150 Victoria

• What: Enjoy free outdoor events in our beautiful Inner Harbour. Commemorate our nation and city’s multicultural artistry, while enjoying diverse food and beverage offerings. The evening’s grand finale of Main Stage programming and a spectacular firework display will also be a sight to behold.
• Where: Ship Point Inner Harbour and BC Legislature Lawns
• When:

Saturday, July 1:

Ship Point Stage

12:30pm – Mexican Folklore Dancers
1:15pm – Lilias Polynesian Dance Co.
2:00pm – To be announced
2:50pm – Sooke Community Choir
3:30pm – Sane-E Punjab (Victoria)
4:15pm – Fortune Killers
5:15pm – Violet
6:00pm – Stinging Belle
7:00pm – Deep Sea Gypsies
8:00pm – Band of Rascals

Legislature Lawns Main Stage

12pm – Coast Capital Savings Living Flag T-Shirt Pick-Up
2pm – Coast Capital Savings Living Flag Photo
3pm – Elder Blessing
3:15pm – Esquimalt Singers and Dancers
3:30pm – Lekwungen Dancers
3:50pm – “O Canada” by Valdy & The Children’s Choir
4:10pm – Stella Swanson and the Rosie Joyfuls
4:55pm – CIBC Reaffirmation Ceremony
5:30pm – Dirty Mountain
6:15pm – De Temps Antan
7:10pm – En Karma
8:05pm – The Funk Hunters
9:15pm – Arkells
10:15pm – Fireworks Display

2 – 19th annual Gorge Canada Day

• What: Fun for the whole family! Parade, pancake breakfast, Show and Shine car show, multicultural food, voyageur canoe rides, street hockey, artisans markets and so much more.
• Where: Along the beautiful Gorge Waterway between Tillicum and Admirals Road.
• When: Canada Day, July 1, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: The length of Gorge Road West from Tillicum to Admirals Road will be closed to traffic from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

3 – Sidney Days – Canada Day

• What/When: As per tradition, Sidney kicks off its multi-day Canada Day celebrations events beginning on June 30 with a full day of celebrations on July 1. A day of activities and games for the whole family to enjoy. Life-size Jenga games, selfie frame and golf putting, hamster balls, balloon creation and magic, inflatable obstacle course and so much more. Food vendors on site. And don’t forget the fireworks at 10pm on June 30th!
• Where: Downtown Sidney

Friday, June 30th

• Be a part of the “Canadian Mosaic Project”

  • When: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • What: Tim Van Horn is travelling across the country collecting stories and images of Canadians. Local residents will be able to have their photo taken, tell their story and become part of the biggest photo album ever created.
  • Where: The “To Canada With Love” Pavilion will be at the Mary Winspear Centre

• Thrifty Foods Picnic in the Park

  • When: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
  • What: Food by donation. Provided by Thrifty Foods, served up by the Rotary Club. (Suggested donation $5.00)
  • Where: Beacon Park

• Cultural Performances

  • When: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • What: 7:00 – 7:15  Entertainment by Victoria Filipino-Canadian Dancers
    • 7:15 – 7:45  West Coast REACH
    • 7:45 – 8:00  Viva Mexico! Folk Dancers
  • Where: Beacon Park

• Opening Ceremonies

  • When: 8:00
  • What: A parade through the park, followed by speeches from the local MP, MLA, Mayors and Chiefs.
  • Where: Beacon Park

• Live Music and Fireworks

  • When: Music starts at 9:15, fireworks at 10:15
  • What: The band “Strangers” will play while fireworks light up the sky.
  • Where: The Beacon Park Pier

Saturday, July 1st

• Sidney Lions Pancake Breakfast

  • When: 8:00 am
  • What: Pancakes!
  • Where: Mary Winspear Centre

• Canada Day Parade

  • When: 11:30 am
  • What: Members of the community marching through downtown Sidney
  • Where: Downtown Sidney

• Family Fun Day

  • When: 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
  • What: Food vendors, activities, games, a dog show, a watermelon eating contest, and free ice cream from the Sidney Mayor and council.
  • Where: Iroquois Park

• McVey Family Reunion at the Centennial Maple Tree

  • When: 3:00 pm
  • What: Members of the McVey family will meet with Mayor Price to remember Mr. and Mrs. Robert McVey, who collected soil samples across the country and used them to plant a maple tree in celebration of Canada’s centennial in 1967.
  • Where: Sidney Town Hall

• Helicopter Rescue Demonstration

  • When: 3:30 pm
  • What: Sidney’s own 443 Helicopter Squadron performs a demonstration of a water rescue.
  • Where: Beacon Park

• Build-A-Boat Race

  • When: Boat Building: 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
    • Race: 4:30 pm
  • What: The 32nd Slegg Build-A-Boat Race
  • Where: Building at Beacon Park and Launch at Diver’s Point

More events are taking place on the 2nd and 3rd, click here for full schedule.

3 – Canada Day Celebration in Colwood

• What: A day filled with activities, live music on site. Food and snacks available. Enjoy a slice of cake. Admission FREE.
• Where: Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, 603 Fort Rodd Hill
• When:

10:00 am to 4:00 pm: 

• Demonstrations by Victoria-Esquimalt Military Re-enactors Associations
• Children’s games and activities by local organizations
• Live entertainment by SG Music Studio
• Food services, provided by the Ladies Aux. Royal Canadian Legion

12:00 pm to 12:05 pm:

• 21 Gun salute from the beach

12:15 pm to 3:45 pm:

• Opening ceremony
• Colour Party, O Canada, God Save The Queen by the Westshore Community Concert Band (WCCB)

• Also featuring:

  • 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Free birthday cake, courtesy of Thrifty Foods Colwood
  • 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Performance by the WCCB
  • 3:45 p.m.: Closing announcements

4 – Sooke Canada Day

• What: Family-friendly event. Kid games, music, craft fair, face painting, inflatable play zone and more. Bring own chairs or blankets. Fireworks at 10pm!
• Where: Sooke River Campground
• When:  Canada Day – Gates open at 9:00 a.m.
• 9 am – 11 am Kids Entertainment: in Picnic Area “Gals I like Twosome”
• 11:20am Sooke Community Choir sings
• 12:00pm: Opening Ceremony and Parade
• 12:30pm: FREE Canada Day Cake
• 2:00pm: Family fun activities
• 3:00pm: Pie eating contest
• 4:00pm-8:00pm: Main stage
• Between 10:00pm and 10:30pm: Fireworks