The Honda Celebration of Light is 3 night large syncronized fireworks annual event that takes place annually in late July/early August at English Bay in Vancouver, Canada.

It consists of 3 nights of spectacular fireworks syncronized to music.

This is Vancouver's largest event and attracts hundreds of thousands of people and many boats each night to the area around English Bay to view the spectacular fireworks.

There is a small associated festival in Morton Park (in front of English Bay) on the days of the fireworks with music, food, and alcohol.

The fireworks are fired off from a barge in English Bay.  It is really a cool sight to see down at English Bay because hundreds of boats form a semi-circle a safe distance around the fireworks barge.

Each year, there are 3 teams each from a different country that compete for the best fireworks show.

The fireworks last about 25 minutes normally.

There are speakers to hear the simulcast music near English Bay so that you can hear the music if you are close enough.  If you are not close enough to hear the music, it is also broadcast on the radio so you can listen to it when not near the speakers.

Most people will view the fireworks for free from the seawalls and beaches that border English Bay.  Some people will camp out all day to get a good spot to watch the fireworks.  Watching from these areas is completely free.

The fireworks can also be seen from Kitsilano and Point Grey on the south side of English Bay.  

There are also boat charters out of Coal Harbour / False Creek that will take people out for dinner and/or drinks to watch the fireworks from the water.

Traffic in the West End neighbourhood is restricted to residents only after 6pm on fireworks nights.  Traffic and transit are extremely busy on these nights in the downtown core.  It can take hours to exit the downtown core after the fireworks so be warned!

For 2023, the dates of the Celebration of Lights Fireworks will be July 22, 2023, July 26, 2023, and July 29, 2023.

For 2023, the countries represented will be Australia (July 22, 2023), Mexico (July 23, 2023), and The Philippines (July 29, 2023).

There will be a pre-fireworks air show put on by Red Bull on each night of the fireworks.

The fireworks will take place at 10pm on each of the nights.

Tickets go on sale in early May.

The Scotiabank Lounge is a 19+ (no minors) lounge and is located on the roof of the English Bay Bath House.

It has a premium view of the fireworks.

It has general admission seating, first-come, first served.  You are not guaranteed a seat.  There are reserved shared tables of 8 people that do provide a guaranteed seat for a higher price.

The food and beer is from the Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant and Brewery.

2023 ticket prices are all aged 19+: Regular General Admission: CA$160.38, Reserved Seat: CA$222.12

Ticket prices include:

• Elevated view of the fireworks
• Live music
• Simulcast of the fireworks music
• 2 complimentary alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drinks and private bar access
• Complimentary hors d'oeuvres
• VIP washroom facilities

This venue opens as 6:30pm on fireworks nights.

Purchase tickets here: Tickets for Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk

The Inukshuk Point, formerly called The Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk, is an outdoor area located at the Inukshuk Statue at English Bay and has the closest view of the fireworks.

It is general admission seating for every ticket holder, but also has premium reserved seats available.

2023 ticket prices are: children (2 and under): Free(but must sit on parents lap), children(2-12): CA$99.00, Regular General Admission: CA$191.25, Reserved Seat: CA$232.41

Purchase tickets here: Tickets for Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk

Ticket prices include:

• Live music
• Simulcast of the fireworks music
• 2 complimentary alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drinks and private bar(cash and card) access
• complimentary dinner and dessert
• VIP washroom facilities

This venue opens as 6:30pm on fireworks nights.

The Concord Pacific Grandstand, formerly called the English Bay Grandstand, is a reserved sand-free large bleacher seating just next to the English Bay Bath House with a very good direct view of the fireworks and sound.

2023 ticket prices are: Children (2 and under): Free(but must sit on parents lap), Regular (over 2 years of age): CA$62.70, Regular - no alcohol area: CA$62.70

Purchase tickets here: Tickets for Concord Pacific Grandstand

Tickets include:

• Elevated bleacher seating with direct view of the fireworks
• Simulcast of the fireworks music
• Dedicated washroom facilities
• licensed bars
• Reserved seating
• All ages
• cash and card bar service available.

This venue opens as 6:30pm on fireworks nights.

Our Review: We sat in the grandstand in 2022.  We had a great unobstructed view of the fireworks.  It was good to hear the simulcast music.    We don't recommend going too early as there is only your unpadded seats and limited space to walk around where the bar and restrooms were at the top.  We went at 9pm thinking that there would be a long line to get in, but there was no line.  It was a little too early in our opinion to go.  If we went again, we would go around 9:30pm.  Also, there were limited types of beer available at the bars, didn't even have a lager!

There will be a number of food trucks located right on Beach Avenue behind the grandstand.  Some of these were open as early as 2pm on the day of the fireworks.

This event started in 1990 and was originally called the 'Symphony of Fire'

This event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.

For 2022, the countries represented were Japan (July 23, 2022), Canada (July 27, 2022), and Spain (August 3, 2022).  Canada was chosen as the winner for the best performance.

In 2019, the countries represented were India (July 27), Canada (July 31), and Croatia (August 3).  Canada was chosen as the winner for best performance.

In 2018, the countries represented were South Africa (Jul 28, 2018), Sweden (Aug 1, 2018), and South Korea (Aug 4, 2018).  The theme was 'Love'.  South Korea was chosen as the winner for best performance.

In 2017, the countries represented were Japan, United Kingdowm, and Canada.  Japan was chosen as the winner for the best performance.

The Celebration of Light is 3 nights of syncronized fireworks that takes place in English Bay in Vancouver, Canada.

The Celebration of Light fireworks take place from a barge located in English Bay in Vancouver, BC, Canada in front of English Bay Beach.

The Celebration of Light fireworks take place July 22, July 26, and July 29, 2023 at 10pm rain or shine.

You can watch the Celebration of Lights fireworks from the shoreline along English Bay in Vancouver.  The fireworks are also visible from the shoreline in Kitsilano.  Additionally, there are boat cruises from which you can watch the fireworks from the water.

The best place to watch the fireworks is from English Bay Beach.

The best place to watch the Celebration of Light fireworks is on English Bay Beach right in front of the barge.

From this spot you can hear the syncronized music from the speakers and see the fireworks unobstructed.  People go to English Bay Beach many hours before the fireworks to save a spot.  Don't expect to get a good spot on the beach if you aren't there HOURS before it starts.  Also, be aware if the tide is rising, your spot on the beach may be gone by showtime!

In 2023, the syncronized music will be broadcast on CFMI FM 101.1

Note that it is better to bring a portable radio because so many people will be streaming the music on their phones that the networks may not be able to handle the volume so you may not be able to get a connection or it may be delayed.

There are speakers to hear the music right at the main part of English Bay for the people in the paid areas.  However, this area where you can hear the music fills up many hours before the fireworks.

For 2023, the road closures are listed here.

From 9am to 5pm: Beach Avenue from Pacific St to Davie St will have Traffic Controls.

From 5pm to 12am Full Road Closures:

• Davie St from Denman St to Burrard st
• Denman St from Alberni St to Beach Ave
• Beach/Pacific Ave from Stanley Park to Thurlow St

Local West End Traffic Access Points

• Alberni St at Denman St
• Nelson St at Thurlow St
• Burnaby St at Thurlow St

For 2023, Bus routes #2, #5, #6, and #23 will be rerouted to west of Burrard.

Seabus will running every 15 minutes from 9:15pm to 11:15pm, then every 30 minutes to 1:22am.

The Skytrain will be operating with extra trains before and after the fireworks.  No bicycles allowed after 10:30pm.

For 2023, the Lost and Found is located in the gazebo in Alexandra Park on Beach Avenue directly across Beach Avenue from the English Bay Bath House.

For 2022, First Aid is available at numerous locations including the Lifeguard station at the English Bay Bath House, on the seawall near the intersection of Bidwell St and Beach Avenue, and also near the intersection of Chilco St and Beach Ave.

Voting for the People's Choice winner is available now.  You can vote on this page (at the bottom): Vote for People's Choice.  The winner will be announced on August 2, 2023.

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