Vancouver is hosting a scaled-back version of its popular waterfront fireworks show in 2026. Here are all the details
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There is no Celebration of Light series in 2026, but the City of Vancouver has teamed up with BrandLive and the park board for a one-night fireworks celebration on Friday, July 31. Here’s all you need to know to take in the show.
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When and where is it?
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The celebration is on the Friday evening leading into the B.C. Day long weekend, July 31. It’s also Pride Week’s closing weekend.
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As with past fireworks series, the best place to watch is at English Bay Beach Park. The event is free and there are no tickets or registration needed. However, it’s a good idea to arrive early as there is no reserved seating — unless you book a ticket to one of the private parties or venues offering a paid seat.
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Sun Spots
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The fireworks are set to begin at 10 p.m.
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What will be happening?
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Around the public viewing areas at English Bay, there will be several food trucks on site, and visitors can also drop in at restaurants, cafés, drinking establishments and other local businesses before and after watching the show.
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Papi’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, Hook Seabar and Bayside Lounge are offering seats with a view — with a minimum spend — though seats are limited, especially in the lead-up to the fireworks.
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What roads will be closed?
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The city has released a map of the site plan, showing that vehicle access will be restricted from the beach to Alberni Street and Thurlow Street. Residents will have access points at Denman Street and Burnaby Street.
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How to get there
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With driving restricted around the event site, big crowds and traffic delays are expected throughout the West End and downtown. Attendees are encouraged to walk, ride or take transit to English Bay. Mobi bike share and Lime scooters are also available.
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TransLink is planning extra bus service before and after the event. Customers will be picked up outside Burrard SkyTrain Station and dropped off at Denman Street and West Georgia Street. Buses will also pick up travellers outside Waterfront Station. The extra service will run from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
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Note that Denman and West Georgia is about a kilometre walk from the beach. TransLink says that’s as close as buses can take passengers because of the road closures.
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After the fireworks, buses to West Vancouver and North Van will leave from the same intersection, West Georgia and Denman. Buses will also be at Bidwell Street and West Georgia with drop-offs at Burrard and Waterfront stations.
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Some buses will be rerouted because of street closures: The No. 5 and 6 routes will be affected from 5 p.m. to midnight and No. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. More information is at translink.ca/alerts.
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SeaBus service will be every 10 minutes from 6:30 to 11 p.m., with the last sailing at 1:22 a.m.
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What’s the weather going to be like?
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So far, things are looking good. Friday’s Vancouver forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 23 C, 21 C in the evening and an overnight low of 15 C. But watch your weather app: light rain is predicted to arrive early Saturday.
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