A massive fireworks display will light up downtown Vancouver for a final night.
The annual Honda Celebration of Light finale night takes place on Saturday, July 27, offering an electrifying pyrotechnic display from a barge in English Bay.
Team Pyrotex Fireworx will represent the United Kingdom on Saturday, touted for the "originality and pure emotion" it brings to shows. The team has lofty aspirations for the big night, announcing that they "want to make you cry but also to make you happy."
Pyrotex Fireworx says it will attempt to elicit a visceral audience reaction by combining "unique design knowledge and advanced technical ability" to create a "masterpiece in the sky."
The festival started with a display by Portugal on July 20, followed by Malaysia on Wednesday, July 24.
To listen to the music that goes along with the show, bring a portable radio to tune into CMFI Rock 101 and listen to the live stream. You can also use data or wifi to stream from the event's radio partners' webpage. Audio delays may occur and connectivity might be limited near the festival.
Honda Celebration of Lights festival schedule
- 2 p.m. Honda Activation open
- 2 p.m. Food trucks open
- 7:40 p.m. Red Bull Air Show
- 9:50 p.m. Electric drone show sponsored by BC Honda dealers
- 10 p.m. Fireworks show
Getting to the event: Biking
Festival organizers recommend biking to the festival since it is environmentally friendly and provides easy access.
Getting to the event: Drivers
People driving to the event should arrive early to find parking; be prepared to walk a distance from your parking spot. If possible, carpool with friends and neighbours.
Road closures are in effect from 5 to 7 p.m. in the West End, including Davie, Denman and Beach Avenue. Access roads into Kits Point are closed from 6 p.m. Roads will re-open once crowds have dispersed and police have given their all clear at approximately 11 p.m.
Residents may park in this area at specific access points but must display a valid resident parking permit or proof of their address.
Motorists may not stop on any city bridge to view the fireworks.
Getting to the event: Public transportation
TransLink will increase service in downtown Vancouver during the event but travellers should plan for extra commute time due to crowding.
The closest SkyTrain station to the Festival is Burrard Station and the closest Canada Line station is the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station. Numerous buses travel along Georgia St. to Denman, and the #6 will bring you from Granville St. to Denman St.
Several buses, including the #9 and #99, service Kitsilano but there is no SkyTrain service to the neighbourhood.
Commuters can enjoy increased bus service across Downtown Vancouver and special pre- and post-event shuttle service in the downtown area. Some buses will be rerouted to accommodate event street closures.
Boating safety on festival nights
Festival organizers will mark an exclusion perimeter in English Bay with marine buoys. Boaters must stay outside the perimeter. People unfamiliar with operating their boats at night should watch the display from the beaches instead.
Boats should keep the following safety tips in mind:
- Boating License and Navigation Lights: If you leave the area after dark, ensure you can be seen.
- Be aware of hazards: Tides, currents, other vessels, and shallows.
- Keep all your safety gear on board, know the laws around alcohol and boating, and respect them. Police will be on the water to enforce these laws.
- Maintain a safe lookout at all times for canoes, kayaks, and other non-powered vessels
Visit Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety for further information regarding safety tips.
No drone show
Drones are strictly prohibited due to safety regulations and airspace restrictions.
Paddlesport riders
Kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders, and row boaters have a new designated area to watch the show. The holding area allows them to see the display from a safe distance and "not be affected by factors such as wind, current, and power crafts."
According to the festival organizer, "The area is near the inukshuk on the North Side of the entrance to False Creek. It is in shallow water and is easily accessible for paddlers. There will be rigid barriers in place as well as softer “grab lines” for paddlers to hold onto.
Personal watercraft and other non-powered vessels should stay close to the shore to avoid interfering with the navigation of larger vessels. They should also be aware of the exclusion perimeter.
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found is located at the Volunteer Headquarters in the Gazebo in Alexandra Park on Beach Avenue, between Bidwell and Burnaby streets.
First Aid
Festival-goers who get hurt can access first aid services across the festival grounds. Check out the Festival Map and look for the First Aid Icon. You can also visit the Lifeguard Station in the Bathhouse building in English Bay.
Tickets
Ticket-holders can enjoy alcoholic beverages in the licensed venues, including the Scotiabank Lounge, Inukshuk Point, or The Concord Pacific Grandstand. Alcohol cannot be consumed outside of these areas.
Tickets start at $67.84. Get tickets.
