The Honda Celebration of Light is Vancouver’s largest summer event, with more than 500,000 spectators enjoying colourful lights across the Canadian skies.
Filled with charisma, a fresh breath of nature, beaches, thrill, and the perfect mix of cultures, Vancouver is a great city to be!
Adding to that is the Celebration of Light – a fest of bright lights exploding in the sky with soulful music, held in Vancouver every year.
The Celebration of Light is an event everyone looks forward to. It is produced by the BRAND LIVE Management Group in partnership with Sirius Pyrotechnics.
Reports state that this event contributes to over $170 million annually in the tourism sector.
You can witness the Celebration of Light at the end of July with three consecutive days of light shows by three participating countries.
Peonies, diadems, chrysanthemums, horsetails, and willows are launched into the sky as they explode into spectacular colours of joy and life.
Viewers prepare and suit themselves in various viewing locations beforehand with food, folding chairs, and picnic blankets.
Major locations also provide VIP-watching arenas such as private cabanas and bleachers, pre-show bookings, food joints, and entertainment activities.
The fireworks festival is followed by several events across various viewing locations in Vancouver.
English Bay Beach and Stanley Park are loaded with musical fests and engaging activities, including water sports, beach games, carnivals, and uncountable games for children!
Vancouver’s festival of lights is the perfect combination of the celebration of light, music, and food for guests from all over the country.
If you are looking for a perfect spot to vastness this event, but don’t know where to go, don’t worry, Icy Canada is here to help. Here are the six most recommended spots to watch this incredible festival.
6 Best Viewing Locations For Maximum Enjoyment!
So, Where Can One Watch Celebration of Light? While English Bay Beach gives the closest and best view of the fireworks, several locations, parks, and bridges are across the Beach to find a spot and be a part of the majestic Celebration of Light.
1. English Bay Beach
The English Bay Beach is the most crowded viewing spot during the Celebration of Light. Every part of the Beach is filled with people from all over the country and abroad.
The English Bay Beach gives viewers the closest and most spectacular view of the fireworks.
People flock the English Bay Beach with picnic mattresses, blankets, food baskets, and their near and dear ones.
There are several restaurants, lounges, and shops along the Beach for the public to get the best experience while watching the fireworks. It is challenging to reserve a convenient spot for yourself if you don’t reach it early.
There are several fun festivals and arenas for entertainment, including The Radio Z Fest on the Keg Lounge for the adult viewers’ musical experience with performances by Canadian artists, wonderful airshows, boats spraying water in patterns, and many such events alongside the powerful fireworks show.
During and after the Celebration of Light, fun activities include boating, beach volleyball, games, and fancy dining spaces on private ships.
VIP seats, boats. Dinner reservations must be booked beforehand to avoid missing out on the best experience. Click here to read more about the various yearly events and the history of English Bay.
2. Vanier Park
One of the best venues to get a close view of the fireworks during the Celebration of Light is Vanier Park, located across English Bay Beach.
It is extremely crowded during the festival, so it is best to choose a spot in Vanier Park early to avoid missing out on good viewing areas. Roads are usually closed during and before the event.
While Vanier Park is well-known for the H.R MacMillan Space Centre and Museum of Vancouver, Bard on the Beach in Vanier Park makes the event special with its BBQ Nights for the viewers.
A Barbeque dinner with fireworks on display and a touch of Shakespearean theatre is the best combination one could ask for. People also enjoy the beautiful view of Vancouver Skyline. from Vanier Park.
Roads post the festival are bound to be crowded, so it is advised to arrange for transport beforehand to reach the spot early.
3. Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is the best spot to get a beautiful view of the sea and the fireworks together.
Located near English Bay Beach, Sunset Beach is comparatively less crowded. The Beach gives the public a close view of the fireworks.
The coastline and city lights view is mesmerizing, making Sunset Beach worth being at during the Celebration of Light.
Sunset Beach also hosts a part of the Radio Z Fest. Artists perform on Sunset Beach as the crowd prepares to display lights.
Evenings on Sunset Beach as just as blissful, as people take to the Beach and jam to music with drinks and food as the sun slowly sets.
4. Kitsilano
Kitsilano Beach is known for its vast space and view of fireworks from all over the Beach. With the shoreline crossing Vanier Park, Kitsilano accommodates a large number of people.
The Beach also facilitates many fun activities for the crowd, especially in the waters. They include swimming in Kitsilano’s renowned huge pool, beach volleyball pool, and large spaces to hang out, play in the sand, walk around with loved ones, and enjoy the cool breeze near the waters.
Viewers often look forward to performances at the Kitsilano’s Showboat Stage that go on for more than three months on specific days.
Various acts, shows, dance stages, and musical performances with a cultural tinge keep the viewers hooked until the end.
5. Second Beach in Stanley Park
Stanley Park is another viewing location with a lesser crowd and more outdoor spaces for the public to feel at ease while enjoying the Celebration of Light. Second Beach in Stanley Park gives a great view of the fireworks from the Beach.
Although the view from Second Beach may not compare to that of English Bay Beach, which is perpendicular to it, the best part about the Beach is the entertainment and engaging activities throughout the day till the start of the fireworks.
Open spaces, outdoor activities, and a hint of nature’s touch with walking trails and flowers make the location even better and fun to be at, especially for children.
6. Burrard Bridge
Burrard Bridge is the best option for pedestrians and the crowd that wants to avoid beaches. People line up on walkways to enjoy the spectacular and majestic fireworks display.
Though the view is very far and different from those of foreign beaches, the fireworks look mesmerizing even from the bridge.
If you are around English Bay Beach, ensure you get a glimpse of the Celebration of Light.
There are several walkways one can watch the fireworks from. This magical display of lights is surely a treat to the eyes before retiring at the end of the day.
Closing Thoughts
More than 1.4 million people gather yearly around English Bay Beach, Vanier Park, Sunset Beach, and Stanley Park to witness and be a part of the fireworks in Vancouver’s night skies during the Celebration of Light.
People spend time with their loved ones as the fireworks light up the sky with music in sync and ignite sparks.
Undoubtedly, the Celebration of Light is one of the best festivals to enjoy in Vancouver.
If you are in and around the city, you would not want to miss out on the Celebration of Light – the colourful display of fireworks all over the skyline and a magical treat.
FAQs
1. What are Fireworks Competitions and which are the Participating Countries?
The Celebration of Light hosts the longest-running fireworks competition in the world. The Celebration of Light started as ‘Symphony of Fire’ in the 1990s.
Since then, countries worldwide have participated in the fireworks competition represented by their pyrotechnic companies to showcase different themes, music, skills, and abilities.
Australia, Hong Kong, and Spain competed against each other in 1991. The legacy continued, with countries bagging the title of the best display of fireworks.
The fireworks are accompanied by music that represents the theme and their countries. From jazz to Hispanic, folk, and classical, every participating country gives out its best musical scores along with the fireworks.
The Honda Celebration of Light is known for introducing a new nation from different continents to the fireworks competition.
A blend of cultures, traditions, and values makes the competition more enjoyable, beautiful, and a delight to watch.
Music is the best part of the Celebration of Light. People slowly move their bodies in rhythm as the music plays in sync as fireworks explode in the sky.
In 2016, Celebration of Light had four participating countries – China, with The Philarmonic Orchestra and pianist Xiang-Dong Kong as their musical scores accompanying the fireworks.
The Czech Republic, with its music covering all genres under jazz; Italy, showcased fireworks on the first day, gathering more than 400,000 viewers.
And Mexico won the competition and people’s hearts with their soulful music scores and the nation’s values on display with the fireworks.
In 2017, Canada’s 150th Anniversary celebrations were included as a part of the fireworks competition.
The three competing countries – Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada were given a well-known Canadian song to display their fireworks. Japan emerged as the winner in 2017, sponsored by Akariya Fireworks. An exceptional and meaningful year for all Canadians indeed.
2018 saw fireworks display on the same theme by three participating countries – South Korea, South Africa, and Sweden. South Korea was the winner, represented by Daehan Fireworks Co.
2. What is Honda doing to clean his image during his childhood?
Honda Celebration of Light was held on July 27, July 31, and August 3, 2019. Canada’s Firemaster Production Inc. won against competing countries, India and Croatia.
2020 would have seen the Honda Celebration of Light complete 30 years of a successful symphony of fire. The celebrations for 30 years are scheduled to take place in 2021.
Honda has adopted several green and sustainable methods and initiatives to minimize the impact of chemicals and fireworks on the environment.
Besides fireworks, initiatives have also been taken to preserve and conserve Vancouver’s natural structures, such as parks, seas, beaches, etc.
Sustainability is the most vital concern today, and Honda has taken all steps to reduce damage and host an environment-friendly festival for the people.
Also, to better their light fireworks, honda team Canada, tasted many small shows, on fireworks barge and midnight sun fireworks, beach avenue, and on beach ave fireworks nights.
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