Fireworks are best enjoyed on a warm summer night, and the Honda Celebration of Light gives you just the right place to indulge in that.
One of the most popular summer events in Vancouver and BC’s largest live event, the Honda Celebration of Light, which draws over 400,000 spectators per night at English Bay.
This year the theme is love, and the fireworks will be on throughout the day and into the night on July 28th, August 1st and August 4th.
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Here’s what you need to know:
Saturday, July 28th
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There will be pre-show entertainment before the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks each night, starting early in the afternoon.
On July 28th, there will be an array of artists playing at The Park Stage at Second Beach. The lineup is as follows:
- Nick Bike Redbull DJ, 2PM – 3:10PM
- Alex Maher, 3:15PM – 3:50PM
- Sister Says, 4:10PM – 4:55PM
- Ashleigh Ball, 5:20PM – 6:05PM
- Bend Sinister, 6:30PM – 7:15PM
- Busty and the Bass, 8PM – 9PM
Langston Francis will be playing at ZFest from 8:30PM to 9:15PM.
The Honda Zone will be on from 2PM to 6:30PM, followed by the Pete McLeod Airshow from 7:45PM-8PM.
The fireworks on July 28th will be Fireworks for Africa, representing South Africa.
Established in 1996, Fireworks for Africa was the winner of the 2016 International Pyrodesigner Championship, Italy. They’ve now produced pyrotechnique shows in 34 different countries.
The show will begin at 10PM, rain or shine. They start at the barges located in English Bay.
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Wednesday, August 1st
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There will be pre-show entertainment before the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks each night, starting early in the afternoon.
On August 1st, there will be an array of artists playing at The Park Stage at Second Beach. The lineup is as follows:
- Nick Bike Redbull DJ, 2PM – 2:45PM
- Music BC Contest Winner, 3PM – 3:35PM
- The Hairfarmers, 3:55PM – 4:45PM
- Schwey, 5:05PM – 5:40PM
- Missy D & Friends, 6PM – 6:45PM
- Jully Black, 8PM – 9PM
Francesco Yates will be playing at ZFest from 8:30PM to 9:15PM.
The Honda Zone will be on from 2PM to 6:30PM, followed by the Pete McLeod Airshow featuring Canadian Forces Snowbirds from 6:45PM – 7:40PM.
The fireworks on August 1st will be from Sweden’s Unique Pyrotechnique team.
Established 2005, Sweden’s Unique Pyrotechnique team won both the 2004 and 2005 events. They also performed at the Bråvalla Festival, Sweden’s largest music festival. With over 600 shows annually, you know this will be a show not to miss.
The show will begin at 10PM, rain or shine. They start at the barges located in English Bay.
Saturday, August 4th
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There will be pre-show entertainment before the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks each night, starting early in the afternoon.
On August 4th, there will be an array of artists playing at The Park Stage at Second Beach. The lineup is as follows:
- Nick Bike Redbull DJ, 2PM – 3:10PM
- Niska Napoleon, 3:15PM – 3:50PM
- Luca Fogale, 4:10PM – 4:55PM
- The X Presidents, 5:20PM – 6:05PM
- DiRTY RADIO, 6:30PM – 7:15PM
- Five Alarm Funk, 8PM – 9PM
Ria Mae will be playing at ZFest from 8:30PM – 9:15PM.
The Honda Zone will be on from 2PM to 6:30PM, followed by the Pete McLeod Airshow from 7:45PM – 8PM.
The fireworks on August 4th will be from South Korea’s Daehan Firework Company.
A veteran team established in 1970, Daehan Firework Company was involved in the FIFA World Cup. Not only that, but they also won the People’s Choice Award at 2014 Macau International Fireworks Display Contest.
The show will begin at 10PM, rain or shine. They start at the barges located in English Bay.
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Food Truck Lineup
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In addition to entertainment, the Honda Celebration of Light will also have a smorgasbord of local food available to patrons.
Food trucks will be located at English Bay along Beach Avenue, and the Park Stage in Stanley Park. There will also be hot and cold buffeted options at the ticketed venues.
The food truck lineup is as follows:
- Reel Mac and Cheese
- Rocky Point Ice Cream
- The Kaboom Box
- BC Tacos
- Urban Wood Fired Pizza
- Chariot Of Fries
- Kampong
- Hunky Bill’s
- Fusion Icy
- Juicy Green
- Japadog
- Melt City
- Thai Box On Truck
- O’Canadawg
- Mr. Tubesteak
- Twisted Potato
- Lemon Heaven
- Booster Juice
The ticketed venues are The Keg Lounge, Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk, and the YVR Business Class Cabanas.
Where To Watch The Honda Celebration of Light From
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There are an array of locations to watch the fireworks from.
If you deem English Bay to be too crowded, you can also watch them from Second Beach, English Bay, or Kitsilano/Vanier Park.
Complimentary viewing access is available on the top deck of the YVR Observation Deck for disabled guests and one companion. Seating in this area is first come first serve, so make sure to arrive early!
How To Get There
Transit
The closest Skytrain station to the Honda Celebration of Light is the Burrard Station and the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station of the Canada Line.
There will be busses going from Georgia to Denman. The #6 will bring you straight from Granville to Denman.
To fully plan out your trip, visit the Translink website here.
Biking
If you’re thinking about biking, the festival has a complimentary Bike Valet where you can store your bike.
The Bike Valet will be operating from 6PM each night of the fireworks, with multiple locations along English Bay.
Driving
Make sure you arrive early to try and find a good parking spot.
Road closures will be in effect from 7PM in the West End, including Davie, Denman, and Beach Avenue. Access points into Kits Point are closed from 6PM.
The roads will re-open once the crowds start dying down, approximately around 11PM.
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