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 1st, 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.

Parade and event maps
Canada Day road closures

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)

Come and 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.