Canada Day is a week away and locals looking to celebrate the holiday are spoiled for choice for where to go across Vancouver Island.
Canada Day celebrates the anniversary of when the British North America Act (now known as the Constitution Act, 1867) was signed, which formally created the country.
The anniversary has been celebrated in the country since July 1, 1868.
Canada Day events on Vancouver Island below are listed alphabetically by municipality name.
South Island
In Duncan, the BC Forest Discovery Centre will host a Canada Day celebration from 12:45 to 2 p.m. with performances and a cake cutting.
Ladysmith will host celebrations at Transfer Beach Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a pancake breakfast, live music, face painting, food trucks, kids games and interactive booths.
Lake Cowichan‘s festivities will be in Central Park between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with cupcakes, performances, games, a bouncy castle, face painting and more.
Langford‘s will kick off at 10 a.m. with a pancake breakfast with events and activities lasting until 3 p.m. including face painting, a teen zone with games from Quazar’s Arcade, a hot wings contest and live music.
In Saanich, there will be a picnic held on the Gorge from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. People are invited out for “food, music, markets and fun on Canada Day!”
Sidney will once again hold its Sidney Days celebration on June 30, followed by Canada Day on July 1. Sidney Days will have opening ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks at 10:15 p.m. Canada Day will start with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. and wrap up with the build a boat challenge from noon to 5 p.m.
Sooke‘s events will take place at the Sooke Flast between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. with a Colour Guard procession, cupcakes, a Kids Zone, magic show and music bingo.
Victoria’s Canada Day celebrations will once again take place in the Inner Harbour and the lawn of the Legislature.
Events will take place all day, starting at 11 a.m. with drumming, ending with a fireworks show at 10:22 p.m.
This year, the capital city added a drone show which will precede the fireworks show.
View Royal will host its celebrations at the Craigflower Manor from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with traditional Highland games, dance performances, live music, face painting and a beer garden.
Central Island
Courtenay will have events downtown from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and at Lewis Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown there will be a band, mile fun run and parade. Lewis Park will have a Kids Zone, live music, a welcoming ceremony, cake and a bike draw.
Elsewhere in Courtenay there will be events at the Courtenay and District Museum, Courtenay Legion, Courtenay Outdoor Pool and Native Sons Hall.
Nanaimo will host its event at Maffeo Sutton Park from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with live music, face painting, bouncy castles, a photo booth, interactive booths and a food zone.
Parksville‘s events will take place in the Parksville Community Park from noon to 9 p.m. with cupcakes, music, face painters and food trucks. Ahead of the events in the park, there will be a parade.
Qualicum Beach‘s events will take place at the Legion with a pancake breakfast, live music and evening street dance. A parade will also take place from the Civic Centre to the Legion starting at 1 p.m.
Ucluelet will host events at Village Green with live music, artisans, kids activities, hot dogs and cake.
North Island
Campbell River will have events in Frank James Park, at the Discovery Pier, Robert Ostler Park and Spirit Square. Each location will have events at different times with the earliest starting at 8 a.m. until the fireworks which start at 10:22 p.m.
The various events will include a pancake breakfast, live music, cake, live pro wrestlers, heilcopter rides and a Kids Street Fest.
Tahsis has an annual event at the Info Centre and Museum starting at noon with games, hot dogs, an adult trivia contest, cake and music.
Know of any events we’ve missed? Email us at [email protected]
Laura Brougham
