It’s Canada Day again! While large Canada Day events have gone virtual for the second straight year, you may be planning a small gathering outside. If so, transit will take you there.

As part of our Transit Service Changes for summer, we’ve seasonally added more service to popular warm-weather locations, including 11 bus routes to beaches, lakes and parks.

On July 1, the bus, SeaBus, and SkyTrain will operate a Sunday/holiday schedule and holiday fares will be in effect, so that means you only need a 1-Zone fare to travel across all zones — making transit the perfect choice. Don’t have a Compass Card? Simply tap your contactless Visa or Mastercard credit card to pay your transit fare. Plan your trip at translink.ca/tripplanner.

Cycling’s also a great way to get around as well. Visit translink.ca/cycling to explore the best options for you and view the Metro Vancouver Cycling Maps. Don’t have a bike? Use promo code biketotransit to redeem 50 per cent off a 24-hour Mobi Bike pass and get cycling!

While Canada Day is a time to celebrate our shared love for hockey, poutine, public health care and more, it’s also a time to reflect what it means to be Canadian.

Here at TransLink, we honour, respect, and celebrate the Indigenous nations on whose territories we are fortunate to live, work, operate, and serve on. We recognize that in planning and managing the region’s transportation system we have an active role to play in supporting the reconciliation process with Indigenous peoples.

For more ways to learn about Indigenous Culture in Canada, check out our curated guide of all things Indigenous arts, culture, food, music and more within our region and beyond! We also have some more other important resources in our National Indigenous History Month post.

#CanadaTogether

Time: 11 a.m.
Where: Global BC

Through the theme of Canada Together, the Port of Vancouver’s aiming to create a program with a message of hope as we come together as people, communities, and cultures and take steps towards a better future in Canada that recognizes and honours the rich heritage and contributions of Indigenous people in Canada.

The one-hour broadcast on Global BC will include a special message from Chief Dr. Robert Joseph of Reconciliation Canada, musical performances by 54•40 and Delhi 2 Dublin, a dance performance from Spakwus Slolem, Eagle Song Dancers, and more.

Surrey Canada Day

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (family show) and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (evening show)

Where: Facebook and YouTube

Surrey Canada Day is committed to sharing music, education, entertainment, and the cultural practices of many Indigenous and multicultural artists. We invite you to join us for this TransLink sponsored event to experience diverse cultural expression, as well as the best of Canada and its hope for the future.

Headlined by Canadian superstars Buffy Sainte-Marie, Walk off the Earth and Jim Cuddy, this year’s free family-friendly virtual event will feature a land acknowledgement from Kwantlen First Nation, as well as Indigenous cultural sharing from Semiahmoo First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, JJ Lavallee, Carsen Gray, Notorious Cree, Road Engine Dreams, Tim Elijah, Davita Marsden & Matthew Stevens, Darcie Brertton, Alex Wells, Madelaine McCullum, Renae Morriseau, and the Tzo’kam Traditional Lil’wat Singers.

Canada Day Virtual Fireworks

Time: 10 p.m.
Where: canadavirtualfireworks.ca

The Government of Canada is hosting a virtual fireworks show, featuring an augmented reality experience.

At 10 p.m., point your smartphone or tablet to the night sky and a 3-minute show displaying 3D fireworks will begin. The augmented reality experience will give you the same visual and sound effects as a real fireworks display! Image capture will also be available for you to share with family and friends.

Do you know of any other Canada Day celebrations? Let us know in the comments section!