Grab your flag, the kids, the crew, the dog, whatever, and get ready for one heck of a patriotic weekend.
And whether you plan to spend your Canada Day watching festive fireworks at Canada Place or sobbing into your popcorn at the Rio Theatre watching The Tragically Hip: Long Time Running, there are plenty of options when it comes to celebrating our great nation. (All of the events below take place July 1.)
Canada Place
Despite the fact the annual Canada Day Parade has been cancelled, there鈥檚 still plenty to do at Canada Place July 1.
Canada Day at Canada Place has been the largest event of its kind outside of Ottawa for more than 30 years 鈥� and still is. Event highlights include music and entertainment, a citizen ceremony, Youth Zone, Picnic Plaza and of course fireworks. For a complete schedule, visit canadaplace.ca.听
Granville Island
8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
So. Much. To. Do.
From roving entertainers, DIY crafts, market, music, food, a musical-instrument playground, bike decorating workshop and more, Granville Island is a great choice for Canada Day. The annual parade starts at 1:30 p.m. Visit granvilleisland.com/canada-day.
The Tragically Hip: Long Time Running
Rio Theatre
Doors 5:30 p.m.
Advance tickets $10听at riotheatre.ca. $12 at the door.
The Rio Theatre is tipping its hat to 鈥淐anada鈥檚 Band鈥� with a screening of the Tragically Hip documentary Long Time Running, which chronicles the now-legendary 2016 tour that captured the hearts of the nation. The Hip鈥檚 lead singer Gord Downie used the tour to say goodbye to legions of fans across the country before his death from brain cancer last October. Minors are welcome in the balcony.
Fitness classes for a cause
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
McArthurGlen has partnered with the Richmond Olympic Oval for the first time to offer a marathon of six outdoor fitness classes in the centre鈥檚 piazza, rotating through the oval鈥檚 latest cycling and yoga offerings.听To help with the cool-down for the day, an exclusive VIP lounge will allow attendees to relax and enjoy complimentary refreshments, hand massages, snacks and more.听A $15 ticket, per class, includes fitness gear, a seven-day pass to the Richmond Oval, access to the VIP lounge and a swag bag full of goodies worth $150 with partial proceeds going to KidSport Richmond. In addition to the fitness classes, McArthurGlen will also host free kid-friendly sports, a scavenger hunt throughout the centre and live music from the local jazz band The Tim Sars Quintet.听Visit mcarthurglen.com.
Canada Day Drumming 2018
Creekside Park
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The second annual Canada Day Drumming Celebration takes place July 1 and features simultaneous drumming across nine Canadian cities. The Legacy 150 Celebrations Society is once again attempting to break the Guinness World Record for 鈥淢ost Nationalities in a Drum Circle鈥� category at Creekside Park at 1455 Quebec St. July 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. People of all ages are invited to participate, or serve as spectators, and enjoy a kid鈥檚 area, food trucks and more. Interested drummers with a foreign passport may sign up to join the circle听at canada150drumming.com.
Cannabis Day
Join Vancouver's marijuana community to celebrate Canada and Cannabis July 1, at Thornton Park at Pacific Central Station, 1166 Main St. Check out the cannabis farmers market, hear activist speakers and enjoy live music and 鈥渇ree weed鈥� 鈥� just the messenger. 听Visit Cannabis Day in 麻豆传媒映画on Facebook.
@sthomas10
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