Canada Day

Courtenay’s Canada Day celebrations on June 30 and July 1 bring our community together with free, family-friendly events in Downtown Courtenay and Lewis Park. The celebration features live music, activities, food vendors, community booths, a parade and more.

Enjoy free transit on Canada Day! On Tuesday, July 1, get to the Courtenay Canada Day celebrations by bus: view the BC Transit schedule

This event has been made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Canada.

Canada Day celebration schedule

Schedule in French [PDF - 77 KB]

Monday, June 30: Night Before concert

Lewis Park Stage, 4:15 to 10 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment, vendors, food trucks and the 40 Knots Beverage Garden in the park.

  • 4:15 to 6:30 p.m. – Indigenous and multicultural performances with start times:
    -Daryle Mills (drumming) - 4:15 p.m.
    -The Singing Wolf Drum Circle - 4:25 p.m.
    -Arden School Little Jiggers - 4:40 p.m.
    -Johnny James Mitchell (dancing) - 4:45 p.m.
    -Laurie Tinkler School of Dance Highland Dancers - 4:50 p.m.
    -Rabina Purja Nepali Cultural Dance - 5:05 p.m.
    -Triple Heat Dance - Academy of Performing Arts - 5:10 p.m.
    -Nezlamna Ukrainian Choir & Dolyna Ukrainian Dancers - 5:30 p.m.
    -Comox Valley Line Dancers - 5:55 p.m.
    (subject to change)

  • 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. – The English Brothers, a high-energy duo known for their mix of folk, country and classic rock. 
  • 8 to 9:45 p.m. – Jeff Plankenhorn, based in Campbell River, Jeff is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and slide guitar player whose Americana style and roots rock has earned international recognition.

Tuesday, July 1: Canada Day celebrations

Downtown Courtenay, 9 to 11 a.m.

  • 10 a.m. – Canada Day parade down 5th Street. Enjoy this high-energy, fun, community parade! (view the parade map)

Lewis Park, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
View the event map

Enjoy entertainment, vendors, food trucks, information booths, activity booths and the 40 Knots Beverage Garden in the park. The MC is local entertainment legend Kenny Shaw.

  • 11 a.m. – Kids' zone opens: Three-story inflatable slide, bouncers, face painting, bubbles and wacky activities.
  • 11 to 11:45 a.m. – Nathan Senner, local singer-songwriter known for his acoustic style and heartfelt lyrics.
  • Noon – Welcoming ceremony and singing of O Canada.
  • 12:30 p.m. – Canada Day birthday cake provided by Costco.
  • 1 to 2:30 p.m. – The Big Easy Funk Ensemble brings high-energy New Orleans-style funk, jazz and soul to the stage.
  • 3 p.m. – Kids' bike draw – Lewis Park Stage. Get tickets for the bike draw at the special events tent beside the Lewis Park Stage. For kids aged 5-12.

 More great events on July 1

  • Courtenay Legion, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Breakfast $10 (scrambled egg, sausage, pancake) from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
    • Lunch $7 - $10 (burger/hot dogs) from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    • Live music from 1 to 4 p.m. (with prize draws)
  • Courtenay and District Museum open house, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free
    • Live music by Alan Jossul
    • Kids' crafts, prizes and a one-day book sale (50 per cent off Step into the Wilderness – limit three per person).
  • Courtenay Outdoor Pool in Lewis Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
    • Free public swims on Canada Day and all summer long
    • Family swim: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Open swim: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Note: Children under 7 must be within arm's reach of a responsible guardian (16+) at all times. One guardian can supervise up to three children.

  • Evergreen Tea Dance, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Native Sons Hall, free
    • Live music by the Georgia Strait Big Bad
    • Drop-in event with music, refreshments and cake

Note: Schedule subject to change

 

Media releases

Canada Day celebrations bring the community together [PDF - 117 KB]
Jeff Plankenhorn and the Big Easy Funk Ensemble headline Canada Day celebrations [PDF - 117 KB]

Questions?

Contact the Lewis Centre at 250-338-5371 or Filberg Centre at 250-338-1000.