Eyes up, Vancouver! The skyline is set to sparkle during Celebration of Light’s three-show return

One of Vancouver’s most dazzling summer traditions is back. This weekend, the Honda Celebration of Light kicks off, lighting up the sky and drawing crowds to the West End and Kits Point for the world’s biggest fireworks competition.

The event historically brings competition from around the world – this year, the event celebrates local, home-grown talent from across Canada. The dates and competitors are:

• Saturday, July 19 – Yukon
• Wednesday, July 23 – Quebec
• Saturday, July 26 – Nova Scotia

Public safety continues to be our top priority. To ensure this event remains an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone, the City is working closely with partners at the Park Board, Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services and Vancouver Emergency Management Agency.

Traffic impacts 

Expect road closures and traffic disruptions downtown, in the West End, Stanley Park, and Kitsilano. If you’re heading to the event or passing through these areas, walk, bike, roll, Mobi, scoot with Lime or take transit. View the road closure map for details.

Mobi by Rogers and Lime are making it even easier to bike or scoot to the event by adding extra docking capacity at busy stations. On event nights, their teams will be on-site to help riders get to and from the celebration smoothly.

Wednesday, July 16 to Friday, July 18 and Sunday, July 27

• Full Road Closure
  • Burnaby Street from Beach Avenue to Bidwell Street

Saturday, July 19, Wednesday, July 23 & Saturday, July 26

• 9 am to 6 pm – Traffic controls in effect
  • Periodic traffic controls for load-in on Beach Avenue
  • Beach Avenue closed to traffic, bike lane will be detoured

• 6 pm to 12 midnight – Full road closures
  • Beach Avenue/Pacific Street from Stanley Park to Thurlow Street
  • Davie Street from Denman Street to Burrard Street
  • Denman Street from Alberni Street to Beach Avenue

Local traffic access points

• Burnaby Street at Thurlow Street
• Nelson Street at Thurlow Street
• Denman Street at Alberni Street

Transit changes

• Bus routes #2, #5, #6, #23 will be rerouted. Visit translink.ca/alerts for changes or disruptions to your bus service.

Plan ahead to attend

To help ensure that the events run as smoothly as possible, the City asks residents and attendees to follow these tips:

• Stay safe in hot weather, find tips at vancouver.ca/hotweather.
• Avoid sitting in high-tide areas: look for fireworks viewing area signs on the beach.
• Respect the no smoking and open fire ban in Vancouver parks and refrain from using barbeques throughout English Bay Beach Park.
• Respect drinking regulations:
  • Drinking alcohol is not permitted at Sunset Beach, English Bay, and Third Beach. Learn about when, where and how to safely enjoy alcohol in Vancouver parks and on beaches. 
  • Glass beverage bottles and containers are also not allowed on parks and beaches.
• Don’t let waste become litter: use the “Pack-In, Pack-Out” method.
  • Group gatherings at large events often result in excess waste and can quickly overfill waste bins.
  • Attendees are asked to take waste with them and dispose of it at home.
• Be considerate of the community and keep noise to a minimum when leaving.

Watching from the water

• Follow safe boating guidelines by carrying a boating license and refrain from consuming alcohol on the water.
• Watch the fireworks at a safe distance without interfering with larger vessels.

Leave pets at home

Fireworks and large crowds can be very frightening for animals.

• Any dogs in attendance must be on leash and wearing proper identification as 97 per cent of dogs that are licensed and wearing tags are returned to their owner.
• To report a lost dog, call Animal Services by dialing 3-1-1.

Getting to and from the event 

Those travelling in and around the event areas should plan ahead and expect delays.

• Follow all detours and abide by no parking signs in the area.
• Learn more about road closures across the city.
• Follow #VanTraffic or use our traffic cameras to check traffic conditions along your commute.
• Get live updates on X: @CityofVancouver, @TransLink, @VancouverPD, @VanFireRescue, @CelebofLight
• Visit translink.ca/alerts for changes or disruptions to your bus service.