2021-05-3 Update: The 2021 Celebration of Light Fireworks at English Bay, Vancouver, BC, Canada HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.  The event will return in 2022.  The dates for the fireworks in 2022 are: July 23, 27, and 30, 2022!

2019-08-07 Update: Team Canada has been named winner of the 2019 Honda Celebration of Light!  Team Croatia was named People's Choice winner.

The Honda Celebration of Light is an annual event, 29th year in 2019, that takes place late July/early August in Vancouver.  It consists of 3 nights of fireworks syncronized to music and associated daytime festival with bands, food, and beer gardens.  This is Vancouver's largest event and attracts hundreds of thousands of people and many boats each night to the area around English Bay.

The fireworks are fired off from a barge in English Bay.  The fireworks last about 25 minutes normally.  There are speakers to hear the music near English Bay so that you can hear the music.  The music is also broadcast on the radio(the breeze 104.3 FM) so you can listen to it when not near the speakers.   Each year, there are 3 teams each from a different country that compete for the best fireworks show.  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.

Most people will view the fireworks 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.  There are some VIP stands, lounges(Keg Lounge, YVR Observation Deck, Inukshuk Lounge) and viewing areas for which tickets must be purchased.  The fireworks can also be seen from Kitsilano and Point Grey on the south side of English Bay.  There are many 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!

This event was originally called the 'Symphony of Fire'.

For 2019, the countries represented will be India (July 27), Canada (July 31), and Croatia (August 3).

There are 2 lounges(described below) and an observation deck(described below) with various seating and food choices available for purchase.  More info and buy tickets here: BUY TICKETS

This lounge is a 19+ lounge and is located on the roof of the English Bay Bath House.  It is for adults aged 19+.  It features food from the Keg Steakhouse and live music.

New for 2019 there will be more general admission seating and optional reserved tables on raised platforms for better viewing.

Regular tickets are starting at $159 + service charges + taxes.  Reserved table tickets are starting at $199 + service charge + taxes.  Purchase tickets here: Tickets for Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk

Ticket prices include:

• Live music
• simulcast of the fireworks music
• 2 complimentary drinks and private bar access
• complimentary hors d'oeuvres and grill station
• VIP washroom facilities

Music programming will be done by radio station Z95.3.  Music is:

• July 27- Vidya Vox, Khanvict plus more
• July 31- Scott Helman, Famba plus more
• August 3- Maestro Fresh Wes and Kardinall Offishall

This lounge is located at the Inukshuk Statue at English Bay and has the closest view of the Fireworks.

Regular tickets are starting at $169 + service charges + taxes.  Reserved table tickets are starting at $209 + service charge + taxes.  Purchase tickets here: Tickets for Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk

Ticket prices include:

• Live music
• Simulcast of the fireworks music
• 2 complimentary drinks and private bar(cash and card) access
• fresh summer BBQ featuring local produce
• VIP washroom facilities

This venue opens as 6:30pm on fireworks nights.  There is some pre-show entertainment.  Reserved table tickets are available.

This is reserved sand-free bleacher seating for families or groups just next to the English Bay Bath House with a good view of the fireworks.

Ticket prices are TBA and include:

• Background music
• Simulcast of the fireworks musics
• Dedicated washroom facilities
• Reserved seating
• All ages licensed area, with an alcohol-free zone by request
• cash and card bar service available.

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

We went to this event in 2019.  It was really good.  Great unobstructed view of the fireworks.  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.  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.

There are many food trucks located right on Beach Avenue behind the YVR Observation Deck.  Some of these were open as early as 2pm on the day of the fireworks.

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!

The Park Stage at Second Beach (formerly called the Celebration of Light Fireworks Festival) is an annual free event that takes place during the daytime of the fireworks nights.  For the third year, this event will be held at Ceperley Park in front of Second Beach.  There will be live music from 2pm to 9pm each day of the festival(July 27, July 31, and Aug 3).  Also, there will be food trucks, a beer garden.  The festival is family friendly.

The bands/performers playing this year will be:

• Virgina to Vegas
• The Funk Hunters
• The Boom Booms
• En Karma
• Tonye Aganaba
• Quarterback
• Alexandria Maillot
• Small Town Artillery
• Kimmortal
• Adrian Chalifour
• Biawanna
• Bitterly-Divine
• Old Soul Rebel
• Big Easy Funk Ensemble
• Shine with Pride
• Fintan

The Celebration of Light fireworks take place in English Bay in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  Nearby is English Bay Beach, and the English Bay Seawall.

The Celebration of Light fireworks take place July 27, July 31, and August 3, 2019 at 10pm rain or shine.

The Celebration of Light Fireworks Festival take place at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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.  Also, be aware if the tide is rising, your spot on the beach may be gone by showtime!

For 2019, the fireworks music is simulcast on 'the breeze' 104.3 FM

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