A team from the Yukon will kick off the 2025 Honda Celebration of Lights festival on Saturday, July 19, off a barge in English Bay.
This weekend, Vancouver’s skyline will burst with colour and excitement as the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light kicks off. On Saturday, July 19, a spectacular fireworks display by Midnight Sun, a team from Yukon, will dazzle crowds at English Bay. The award-winning team—previous winners in 2022—returns to impress once again.
This marks the first of three fireworks nights in the 2025 series. The next shows are scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, and Saturday, July 26. For the first time in the event’s history, all competing teams are proudly Canadian.
Fireworks, Food, and Festivities: Full Schedule Revealed
The day is packed with activities well before the fireworks begin. Here’s what to expect on July 19:
- 2:00 PM – Honda Activation Zone and food trucks open
- 6:30 PM – Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds perform aerial stunts
- 10:00 PM – Electric drone show (presented by BC Honda dealers)
- 10:15 PM – Fireworks show begins
Ticket Options: Free or VIP?
While many enjoy the show for free across Vancouver’s waterfront, there are premium ticketed options at English Bay Beach.
- Inukshuk Point Experience (dinner, dessert, and a drink): $243 (taxes included)
- Grandstand Seating: $68
- Private Cabanas: Also available for booking
How to Get There: Best Transportation Tips
Skip the Car – Go Green
Festival organizers recommend walking, biking, or using public transport. Mobi bikes and Lime scooters will have extra docking capacity, and on-ground teams will help you navigate.
Driving to the Event?
- Arrive early for parking
- Expect to walk a fair distance
- Carpool if you can
- Avoid stopping on city bridges
Key Road Closures:
- West End: Davie, Denman, and Beach Avenue (5–7 PM)
- Kits Point: Access closed from 6 PM
- Roads reopen: Around 11 PM, post-crowd dispersal
Resident Note: Only those with permits or address proof can access residential zones during closures.
Public Transit: More Frequent and Safer
TransLink is boosting service for the festival. Expect crowds, so plan for delays.
- Closest SkyTrain stations: Burrard (Expo Line) and Yaletown–Roundhouse (Canada Line)
- Bus routes: #6 (Granville to Denman), #9, #99, and more to Kitsilano
Temporary Changes:
- Pre-event shuttle: Burrard Station to Denman/West Georgia (6:30–9:30 PM)
- Post-event shuttles: From Bidwell/West Georgia to Burrard and Waterfront Stations
- Post-event routes: West and North Vancouver shuttles from Denman/West Georgia
- Bus diversions: #5, #6 (from 5 PM), #23 (from 8 AM)
- SkyTrain: Running every 2–3 minutes pre- and post-show
- No bikes on SkyTrain after 10:30 PM
- SeaBus: 15-minute sailings extended past 9 PM
For the latest updates, check Transit Alerts, follow @TransLink on X, or call 604-953-3333.
Tips for Pet Owners
Loud fireworks can frighten animals. Best to leave pets at home.
If you bring a dog, ensure it's leashed and wearing ID tags.
- Lost a pet? Call Animal Services at 311
- 97% of tagged dogs are returned safely
Road Closures and Local Access
Full Road Closure (July 16–18):
- Burnaby Street (Beach Ave to Bidwell)
July 19 Traffic Plan:
- 9 AM–6 PM: Traffic control, detours, and load-ins
- 6 PM–Midnight: Full closures on Beach Ave, Davie, and Denman
Local traffic entry:
- Burnaby at Thurlow
- Nelson at Thurlow
- Denman at Alberni
Water Watchers: Safety on the Bay
Boaters can enjoy the fireworks too, but only from designated zones.
- An exclusion zone will be marked with marine buoys
- Stay outside the boundary for safety
- Do not drink while boating
- Always carry a valid license
- Avoid interfering with large vessels
Food, Safety, and Essentials for the Night
Expect a wide variety of food trucks on site—arrive early to avoid lines and snag the best views.
Festival-goers are reminded to:
- Bring sunscreen, water, and a rain poncho
- Use garbage and recycling bins
- Take all belongings when leaving
Lost something?
- Visit Lost & Found at Alexandra Park Gazebo on Beach Ave (between Bidwell and Burnaby)
Need First Aid?
- First Aid tents are marked on the Festival Map
- Or visit the Lifeguard Station in the Bathhouse at English Bay
Final Notes
Vancouver’s Celebration of Light is more than fireworks—it's a citywide celebration of summer, community, and Canadian talent. Whether you’re watching from the sand, a boat, or the grandstands, plan ahead for a smooth, safe, and memorable night.
