The Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks are a summertime staple in Vancouver, where you can enjoy the spectacle of the longest running offshore fireworks competition in the world at twilight on the shores of English Bay — along with almost half a million others. This year, the YVR Observation Deck gives families a fun and safe option for fireworks viewing, with reserved seating, access to washrooms, food service, simulcast music, and more.

YVR Observation Deck

at the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks

Visitors will have a premium experience in a family friendly, all-ages setting. A cash bar will be available, but you can also request to be seated in the alcohol-free zone.

July 23, 2016 Royal Fireworks, representing Netherlands
July 27, 2016 Howard’s Fireworks, representing Australia
July 30, 2016 Walt Disney Entertainment, representing United States

The YVR Observation DeckYVR Observation Deck opens at 6:30pm each of those nights. Limited tickets remain for $49 (plus tax and ticket outlet fees) for each of the three nights.

Other ticketed viewing options include the Inukshuk Lounge and the Keg Lounge. Be sure to also check out the sounds of SHOREfest concerts when you head down for the festivities.

Win Tickets

I have a pair of tickets to give away for the YVR Observation Deck on Saturday, July 23rd (Netherlands). Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Follow the Honda Celebration of Light on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.

Update The winner is @dineoutwithdee!

Frisbees, footballs, bikini-clad bodies, blankets, and bicycles parked along the Sea Wall are scenes of summer at Vancouver’s beaches. From Third to Locarno, English Bay to Spanish Banks, the seaside landscape has changed almost as much as the summer fashion trends. Thanks to the City of Vancouver Archives, and my niece who curated this collection, we can take a look back at the busy beach days of yore in Vancouver:

Vintage Vancouver Beach Photos

1900. Greer’s Beach (Kitsilano Beach). Archives# Be P99.

1919. Kitsilano Beach, Stuart Thomson. Archives# CVA 99-86.

Aug. 3, 1946. Third Beach. Archives# CVA 586-4570.

1917. Second Beach, Photo by Stuart Thomson. Archives# CVA 99-213.

1964. Beach goers by Kitsilano Beach bathhouse. Archives# CVA 392-165.

1907. Second Beach. Archives# St Pk P286.

191-. English Bay bathing beach. Archives# M-11-9.

1905. View of Second Beach. Archives# St Pk P227.

1887. Picnic at Jericho Beach. Archives# Be P52.

1926. Locarno Beach and Bathhouse. Archives# Be P75.

1937. Sunbathers on Kitsilano Beach. Archives# Be P112.3.

1940. Sunbathers on Second Beach. Archives# CVA 586-456.

July 12, 1928. View of Kitsilano Beach. Archives# Be P16.

1917. English Bay Pier. Archives# Be P113.

Related: Vancouver is a Top Beach City in the World, Beach Times, Beach City, English Bay, Kitsilano Pool, the Vancouver Beach Chair.

It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it! On a bright and sunny summer morning I met up with a team of Metro Vancouver workers and engineers at Metro Vancouver’s Port Moody Pump Station and I’m not going to lie; I expected it to smell a lot worse than it did.

Metro Vancouver Wastewater Pump Station

The station, tucked away on Murray Street across from the eastern tip of Burrard Inlet, is just one stop in the region’s wastewater network. The facility was very clean, although the wet well on the front side of the building — which of course I told myself I had to peer into from the open doorway for “research purposes” — was less pleasant. On a scale of one to campground-outhouse-after-a-long-weekend, it was right up there.

Free family movie nights return to Holland Park in Surrey this August. Movies Under the Stars brings Saturday evening entertainment to the heart of the city for the whole community to enjoy.

Come join us for the most awaited event of the summer! Movies Under the Stars is coming back to Holland Park every Saturday evening this August for the whole community to enjoy.

Movies Under the Stars in Surrey

Movies Under the Stars is perfect for movie-loving families who are looking for a fun way to spend their evening every Saturday of the month. Along with the four animated movies, each night will also feature entertainment from local performers. Everybody can also get involved with the activities and games that will be set up each night.

The Minions on Saturday, August 6th
Inside Out on Saturday, August 13th
Big Hero 6 on Saturday, August 20th
Zootopia on Saturday, August 27th

As it has been the past 10 years, this event is free for all. Each movie will begin at dusk so everyone is encouraged to come early to grab a good spot. But don’t worry, there will be entertainment and activities beginning at 5:00pm to entertain the crowd until the movie begins. Holland Park is located at 13428 Old Yale Road in Surrey, and is walkable from the King George or Surrey City Centre SkyTrain stations.

The Richmond World Festival returns September 3rd with reigning Juno Group of the Year Award winners and international YouTube sensations Walk Off The Earth headlining the free event.

Richmond World Festival

Where: Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 11:00am to 10:00pm
When: Minoru Park, Richmond
Admission: Free event, presented by Coast Capital Savings.

“The Richmond World Festival is a fun, free celebration of the rich diversity we enjoy in Richmond and all across Canada,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “It’s a great opportunity to sample the sounds, tastes colours and other unique cultural characteristics that are all part of our community with entertainment and activities for all age groups and interests.”

Joining Walk Off The Earth on the evening YVR Main Stage will be popular local favorites Delhi 2 Dublin. Mixing bhangra, Celtic and other beats earned them the label “United Nations of rock ‘n’ roll.” Coupled with an incredibly energetic live show, their cross-cultural fusion has made Delhi 2 Dublin a popular festival favourite across Canada and around the world.

The festival features over 60 music and dance performances on nine stages, an international food truck festival with more than 40 food trucks and the Culinary Stage, the Global Village with interactive cultural activities and performances, the Your Kontinent Digital Carnival, Artisan Marketplace, Wide World of Sports and more.

The Richmond World Festival made a strong debut in 2015, drawing 25,000 participants and winning the Most Outstanding Event in Canada at the 19th annual Canadian Event Industry Awards, a huge achievement for a first-time event. 2016 promises to build on that success with an exciting line-up.

Watch for additional event details to be announced soon and for updates follow @FunRichmond on Twitter and the tag #RichmondWorldFestival.