The Celebration of Light fireworks festival is one of the most spectacular events in Vancouver. It’s a competition between different countries to put on the best musical fireworks show. The festival traditionally takes place in the summer and draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. It’s a well-known city tradition and has been recognized as the longest-running fireworks competition of its kind. Learn more at vancouveriski.
History of the Celebration of Light
Originally, the festival was known as “Symphony of Fire” and was sponsored by British American Tobacco. The first event ran from July 25 to August 5, 1990, on the shores of English Bay in Vancouver and at the Ontario Place amusement park on the Toronto waterfront. However, in 2000, due to a federal government ban on tobacco advertising in Canada, the festival changed its name to the Celebration of Light and got new sponsors, including Honda. In Toronto, the event was renamed the Canadian National Exhibition’s Festival of Fire.
How the Fireworks Festival Works
Each summer, the Celebration of Light attracts approximately 1.3 million residents and visitors who come to enjoy the pyrotechnic display. The largest crowds gather on the final night of the festival, as it coincides with a long weekend in British Columbia.
Before the competition, the Celebration’s organizing committee selects three international teams and provides them with funding. The teams can also contribute additional funds of their own. Typically, around 6,000 fireworks are used per night, though one year, the Korean team used an impressive 8,000.
The pyrotechnic setup is located on a Seaspan barge, which is used not only for the fireworks festival but also for other festive occasions like Canada Day. A team of Canadian specialists and about four experts from each participating team usually set up the equipment. During the show itself, only four people remain on the barge: two Canadians and two members of the international team. They are situated in a separate room with bulletproof glass, where they monitor the computers.
On average, each team’s performance lasts for 25 minutes and is choreographed to music. Each team chooses their own show theme, with the exception of a few years when the organizing committee selected it. To determine the winner, judges evaluate the show based on several factors:
- Show size.
- Overall design and artistry.
- Synchronization of the fireworks with the music.
- Originality of effects.
- Quality of the soundtrack.
- Quality of the fireworks.
Is the Celebration of Light Free?
The three-day festival is free for everyone to attend. The fireworks can be seen from many spots around Vancouver, but the best viewing locations are English Bay, Kits Beach, and Jericho Beach. It’s a common sight to see people bring blankets and folding chairs to get comfortable.
For an extra fee, you can get access to a VIP area at several different venues on English Bay beach. These areas offer a less crowded space with great views of the show, allowing you to watch in comfort.
Additionally, if you have your own boat, you can anchor in English Bay and watch the show from the water.
What Else is There to Do Besides the Fireworks?
The Celebration of Light doesn’t begin until after dark, but crowds start gathering long before the show. The fireworks are preceded by another festival, SHOREFEST, which takes place outdoors on Sunset Beach all day and at English Bay from 2 or 3 p.m. until 8 p.m., getting the crowd pumped up for the main event. SHOREFEST also features food and drink stalls and various entertainment options.