If you’re still making plans for Canada Day, downtown Victoria is once again set to be the centre of the celebrations with a full day of free entertainment, live music, food trucks, and one of the biggest fireworks displays the city has ever hosted.
As Canadians continue to rally behind the country’s national soccer team during its historic FIFA World Cup run, this year’s celebrations are expected to carry an extra sense of national pride.
Festivities kick off at 11 a.m. July 1st around the Inner Harbour, where food trucks will begin serving throughout the day and the popular Busking Showcase takes over Ship Point until 4 p.m.
The showcase will feature local musicians, dance performances, visual artists and readings from Victoria Poet Laureate Kyeren Regehr, offering plenty to see before the evening concert lineup begins.
The main stage on the legislature lawns gets underway at 4:30 p.m. with a welcome, followed by a performance from the lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers.
The evening then features a lineup of live music, including Linggo, Bučan Bučan, Covers in a Dangerous Time, and DJ Boitano & Friends before the night wraps up with fireworks over the Inner Harbour at 10:20 p.m.—expect this
According to the City of Victoria, this year’s fireworks will be the largest and longest display since Canada 150 celebrations in 2017.
Main stage schedule
- 11 a.m. – Canada Day Drumming (Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club)
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Busking Showcase at Ship Point
- 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Food trucks open
- 4:30 p.m. – Welcome
- 4:35 p.m. – lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers
- 4:53 p.m. – Remarks from Will Greaves, MP
- 5 p.m. – Citizenship Affirmation
- 5:30 p.m. – Linggo
- 6:45 p.m. – Bučan Bučan
- 8 p.m. – Covers in a Dangerous Time
- 9:10 p.m. – DJ Boitano & Friends
- 10:20 p.m. – Fireworks
Getting there
With thousands of people expected downtown, the City is encouraging people to leave the car at home if possible.
A free bike valet will be available from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Government Street between Belleville and Superior streets.
BC Transit will operate on a Saturday schedule, with additional buses running after the fireworks to help people get home.
If you’re driving, parking will be free at all five City of Victoria parkades as well as on-street parking meters.
Road closures
Motorists should expect several closures throughout the day:
Belleville Street between Government and Menzies streets will be closed all day.
Additional closures around the Inner Harbour may be implemented as crowds grow throughout the evening.
Songhees Road between Tyee and Kimta roads may close before the fireworks at the discretion of police, with parking restrictions also expected in the area.
Whether you’re heading downtown for the food trucks, live entertainment or to watch the fireworks light up the harbour, organizers recommend arriving early and planning your transportation in advance.
Happy Canada Day!
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