Celebrate Canada Day in Vancouver

It’s almost time to celebrate: The Canada Day long weekend is coming up quickly – and we’ve scoured the city and selected Notable happenings that’ll have you in the patriotic spirit…and then some. We’ve compiled a list of our favourites so all you need to do is grab your reds and whites and get out to enjoy!

Rev your engines for the Canada Day long weekend and support CAN Fund’s “Charitable Canada Day Celebration,” hosted by Legacy Liquor Store. This Thursday, break out of work early and mingle with 2010 Olympic medallists in support of an amazing organization that helps raise awareness and much-needed funding for Canadian athletes. Tickets are still available ($28) and the evening features a sampling of more than 50 Canadian products, catered canapés, prizes and a silent auction.

Kick Canada Day long weekend into high-gear with a day full of celebrations at Canada Place in the heart of the city. Canada Place will host live bands throughout the day – featuring more than 30 performers. Come dusk, take in a spectacular lightshow as part of the Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show from a variety of harbour-area patios and parks for free. Feeling lazy? Purchase tickets for under $10 and gain access to the new View for Change reserved-seating area (all proceeds will be donated to a local charity).

Head to Granville Island for a full day of Canadiana-style festivities and fun. Free concerts featuring artists from around the world will be ongoing as part of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival celebrations. Stop into the Granville Island Brewery and partake in a tasting tour for your afternoon pick-me-up, then head out to take in the 12th Annual Canada Day Parade. Wind down at any one of the island restaurant’s patios and you’ve got the best seat in the house.

Get outta town, and head to Whistler for Canada Day. A full weekend’s worth of ski-bum fun is on the menu: starting with a dose of free yoga, followed by the annual Canada Day Parade, free concerts (check out fiddler-extraordinaire, Ashley MacIsaac and Juno-nominee: Matthew Barber). Thanks to Mother Nature, be sure to check out the Coca-Cola Summer Tube Park while the snow permits.

Canada Day, Tiki Style: The legendary Waldorf Hotel is set to host a just-as-legendary Long Weekend Canada Day Crasher on June 30th. Promising to be debauchery at its finest, we suggest taking it slow the following morning – lest you see red and white stars…

Image courtesy stock.xchng.