Vancouver fireworks events used to really light up the sky – though the menu is decidedly smaller these days.
After all the chaos and cancellations though, which Vancouver fireworks are worth braving the crowds for?
And which did they really shut down? Spoiler – they were the biggest two!!
Let’s take a deeper look at what fireworks in Vancouver remain.
Vancouver Fireworks Events
At least up until a couple years ago, you could almost plan your entire year around Vancouver’s fireworks even — seriously.
Between summer competitions, small-town surprises, and seasonal shows, there’s something going off in almost every corner of the Lower Mainland.
Before I break them down, here’s a quick preview of what’s (or least used to be) in store:
- Canada Day Fireworks
- Celebration of Light Competition
- Halloween Fireworks in Maple Ridge & Richmond
- BC Day Fireworks in White Rock
- Drone Shows in Chilliwack and Langley
- New Year’s Eve fireworks (tentative)
- Summer Music & Fireworks in New Westminster
- Vancouver Canadians Fireworks Nights
- Local Festival Blasts
- Morton Park Fireworks Crowds (Vancouver Inukshuk)
Let’s dig into the good stuff now on Vancouver firework shows.
Canada Day Fireworks
Update (2026): The main downtown fireworks are still cancelled – ugh – so you’ll need to go more local.
Downtown Vancouver gave up its Canada Day fireworks years ago, but smaller cities picked up the slack — White Rock, Burnaby, Delta, Coquitlam, and more step in now.
The shows vary, but the vibe’s the same: food trucks, kids waving flags, and big family energy.
⭐ Don’t leave without: checking which suburb has music paired with its fireworks — that makes a huge difference.
Honda Celebration of Light Competition
Update (2026): The Celebration of Light is still cancelled – double ugh – we’re hoping it comes back soon!
The main event – Vancouver’s Celebration of Light. It had been running since 1990 and still gets hundreds of thousands gathering across three nights at English Bay.
Each show was a 25-minute fireworks and music performance by a different country.
Vancouver gets wild for it — it’s a party and was one of Vancouver’s best festivals.
⭐ Don’t leave without: bringing a radio or app that syncs the music. It makes the whole thing hit harder.
📅 Honda Celebration of Light (cancelled)
English Bay: No dates – still cancelled for 2026
Halloween Fireworks
October gets spooky — and noisy. Maple Ridge’s Celebrate the Night and Richmond’s Halloween show at Minoru Park both end with colourful sky blasts.
It’s all very community-focused: trick-or-treaters, costumes, food trucks, and families tucked into parks with glowsticks in hand.
⭐ Don’t leave without: swinging by the pumpkin carving zones before the sparks begin.
📅 Halloween Fireworks Vancouver
Maple Ridge (Celebrate the Night): October 31, 2026
Richmond (Minoru Park): October 31, 2026
BC Day Fireworks in White Rock
August long weekend (aka BC Day, the birthday of our province) means beach chairs lined up for hours along the pier. White Rock lights things up with a finale after its Sea Festival.
It’s classic small-town beach charm: sand in your shoes, sunset over Semiahmoo Bay, and big colours in the sky.
⭐ Don’t leave without: walking the pier just before dusk. The reflections hit differently.
📅 BC Day Fireworks (White Rock Sea Festival)
White Rock: August 3, 2026 (August long weekend)
Drone Shows in Chilliwack and Langley
These are the new kids on the block — no bangs, no smoke, just choreographed lights in the sky.
If you’re sensitive to noise or just want something different, these Canada Day shows hit the mark.
Show are put on in July by Pixel Sky Animations.
⭐ Don’t leave without: counting how many shapes you can spot — they’re more detailed than you’d think.
📅 Drone Shows (Chilliwack & Langley by Pixel Sky Animations)
Chilliwack & Langley: July 1, 2026
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
This one’s in limbo for Vancouver on New Year’s Eve. Vancouver hasn’t had its official NYE barge fireworks downtown since 2019.
But, Grouse Mountain and Cypress ski hills have stepped up.
If it comes back downtown, expect a mini-show at 9 pm and the main one at midnight.
⭐ Don’t leave without: heading up to a hill or bridge for better city views if you’re skipping the downtown scene.
📅 New Year’s Eve Fireworks (tentative)
Grouse Mountain & Cypress: December 31, 2026 (9pm & midnight if confirmed)
Summer Music & Fireworks in New Westminster
This underrated gem happens in late August in Vancouver at Westminster Quay, where a live music fest ends with a mellow fireworks show at the Hyack Festival.
It’s not packed. You can actually sit. It’s perfect for people who want a chill night with fireworks as a bonus.
⭐ Don’t leave without: trying the food truck tacos before the show. They usually sell out early.
📅 Summer Music & Fireworks (New Westminster Hyack Festival)
Westminster Quay: Late August 2026 (exact date TBA)
Vancouver Canadians Fireworks Nights
Nothing beats baseball followed by fireworks. Nat Bailey Stadium puts on 9 post-game fireworks nights through spring and summer.
It’s family-heavy, chill, and feels like stepping back into a simpler time — beer, hot dogs, and sky booms.
⭐ Don’t leave without: staying through the last inning — they don’t let off fireworks if the game gets cancelled.
📅 Vancouver Canadians Fireworks Nights
Nat Bailey Stadium: 9 nights through spring/summer (TBA, typically post-game)
Local Festival Fireworks
Events like the PNE Fair, Illuminares Lantern Festival, and Dragon Boat races sometimes end with small-scale shows.
They’re unannounced until the last minute, but worth sticking around for if you hear rumours.
⭐ Don’t leave without: hovering near the exit — crowds sprint out the second the fireworks end.
📅 Local Festival Blasts (PNE Fair, Illuminares, Dragon Boat)
Various: Summer 2026 (unannounced, check closer to dates)
Vancouver Fireworks Events FAQ
Where are Halloween fireworks in Vancouver?
Richmond’s Minoru Park and Maple Ridge’s Memorial Peace Park host free Halloween fireworks with family activities and music.
Can I watch fireworks on BC Day in Vancouver?
The best BC Day fireworks show is in White Rock during the Sea Festival on August 3, 2025.
Is the Celebration of Light happening in 2025?
Yes! The Celebration of Light runs July 19, 23, and 26, 2025, with three competing countries.
Where can I see fireworks without crowds?
Try Vanier Park, Kitsilano Beach, or Dundarave Pier. Also consider rooftop restaurants or reserved bleachers.
Do drone shows replace fireworks?
Not fully, but they offer a quieter and more eco-friendly alternative. Expect more cities to test them out.
Are there fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Vancouver?
There is no New Year’s Even fireworks event confirmed for 2026 yet. But Grouse and Cypress typically host early shows for families.
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