From parades and cake to festivals and fireworks, check out one of the many free celebrations and festivals being held on Vancouver Island to celebrate Canada Day this weekend.
Know of another Canada Day on Vancouver Island? Let us know about it! Send the details to [email protected] with the words “Canada Day event” in the subject line.
Victoria
Victoria’s Canada Day brings more than 60,000 people together for a full day of musical performances and cultural programming, family activities, an international food village and the iconic Victoria’s Canada Day Fireworks. Main stage opens at 11 a.m., with entertainment continuing until the drone show at 10:15 p.m. and the fireworks at 10:22. Inner Harbour and Legislative Precinct. Details and entertainment lineup at canadadayvictoria.ca
Saanich/Esquimalt
The Gorge Canada Day Picnic. Fun for the whole family, including a pancake breakfast (8:30 a.m.), the Canada Day Family Parade (9 a.m.), Canada Day Show and Shine car show, Gorge on Art, lots of food trucks, voyageur canoe rides, the Canada Day Market, and much more. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. along Gorge Road West from Tillicum Road to Admirals Road. Go to gorgecanadaday.ca for more details.
Sidney
Sidney Lions Pancake Breakfast. Don’t miss the Sidney Lions famous hot pancake breakfast with fried sausages, 8-10 a.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre Courtyard. More at marywinspear.ca.
Canada Day Parade and Family Fun Fair. The annual Canada Day Parade starts at 11:30 a.m. in downtown Sidney, travelling along Resthaven Drive and Beacon Avenue to Second Street, ending at Ocean Avenue. The Family Fun Fair kicks off after the parade, running 12:30-4 p.m. at Iroquois Park, 2295 Ocean Ave., Sidney. More at peninsulacelebrations.org/events.
View Royal
Canada Day in View Royal: Come and see some traditional Highland games, take in dance performances and live music, and enjoy the beer garden and concession. There will be face painting, a balloon clown, tours of Craigflower Manor. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Craigflower Manor, 1801 Admirals Rd. Admission is free. No on-site parking. Details at viewroyal.ca.
Langford
Head to Starlight Stadium to celebrate Canada Day! The stadium transforms into a fun event space filled with activities like arcade games, a teen zone, game tournaments, and a pancake breakfast. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Find out more at langford.ca.
Colwood
Celebrate Canada Day by the sea at Fort Rodd Hill. Live music and a multitude of special interpretive programs will be offered throughout the site, plus a grill, and ice cream and soda at the canteen. Admission is free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd. Details at facebook.com/FortRoddFisgardNHS.
Sooke
Sooke Lions Club and District of Sooke present Canada Day at the Flats. Live music, outdoor games, kids zone, food trucks, local vendors and more. 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Sooke River Campground, 2259 Phillips Rd., Sooke. Go to sookelions.com/canadaday.
Chemainus
Come celebrate Canada Day at Waterwheel Park in Chemainus. Activities include a children’s treasure hunt, live music, a bouncy castle and a giant slide, plus free treats and hot food by donation. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Waterwheel Park in downtown Chemainus. Details at visitchemainus.ca/canadaday.
Ladysmith
Ladysmith celebrates Canada Day at Transfer Beach Park: Eat pancakes, play some kids' games or sit back and enjoy the entertainment. Pancake breakfast from 9 to 10:30 a.m., live music and other events 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, go to ladysmith.ca.
Nanaimo
Canada Day in Nanaimo: Live entertainment (Moonshine Mollys, the Kiltlifters and the Pickups), a photo booth, face painting by Leaders in Training, bouncy castles, interactive booths, food vendors, a multi-cultural community stage and so much more. 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Maffeo Sutton Park. No car parking at the park; free parking nearby. More at nanaimo.ca.
Parksville
Join in the excitement in Parksville with the Shriner’s pancake breakfast, a vibrant parade (10 a.m. on Shelly Road), food trucks, activities, live entertainment — and cake. 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parksville Community Park, 193 Island Highway East, Parksville. Full schedule at letstalkparksville.ca/CanadaDay.
Qualicum Beach
Canada Day in Qualicum Beach starts with a pancake breakfast at Legion Garden, followed by a parade at 1 p.m. from the civic centre to the Legion, fun kids activities, and live entertainment. More information at qualicumbeach.com/events.
Courtenay
Festivities in Courtenay: Courtenay starts its Canada Day celebrations on Sunday, with a concert at the Lewis Park stage from 4 to 9:45 p.m. The fun continues Monday in and around Lewis Park and downtown Courtenay with a fun run, parade, kids zone, a birthday cake and more. Go to courtenay.ca/canadaday.
Campbell River
Campbell River Canada Day 2024 featuring Rotary Parade, market, live entertainment, cake, fireworks and more. 4-10:30 p.m. at Ostler Park. Details at campbellrivercanadaday.ca.
