Canada Day on Granville Island

Canada Day, July 1st, is one of the busiest (and most fun!) days of the year on Granville Island! It falls on Monday this year.  Many of our tenants host a variety of celebrations, promotions and family-friendly activities, a full summary of all events happening listed below.  

Ferry Ballet – False Creek Ferries | 8am-9:30am

False Creek – watch from behind the Public Market

Watch as these graceful boats glide through the waters of False Creek where they perform the traditional False Creek Ferry Ballet! Starting at the East End of False Creek at 8am, they will arrive at the Granville Island aquatic “stage” by 9am. The dance will go on until the grand finale at 9:30am, but don’t worry; even though the dance shoes (flippers..?) come off, they’ll still be on the water, hustling passengers around the Creek all day long!

Opus Art Supplies Plein Air Painting Adventure & Creative Block Party |12pm- 5pm     

Artisan District: from Old Bridge Street to Cartwright and Johnston 

Join the Creative Block Party on Granville Island for a fun day filled with creativity and community! Opus Art Supplies, the Federation of Canadian Artists, artisans from Railspur Alley, Bon Macaron and more will be coming together to celebrate art and colour with a block party creatives are sure to enjoy. Participate in the Opus Plein Air Painting Challenge from 10am to 4pm located in the greenspace between the back of Opus Art Supplies and the Federation Gallery – bring your outdoor painting art supplies and your creative spirit, and prepare for an amazing day! Peruse the artwork at the Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery and bid on fantastic original pieces during their auction, visit open artist studios, and more! To participate in the Block Print Scavenger Hunt, explore Off the Tracks Cafe & Bistro, Upstart & Crow, the Federation of Canadian Artists, Opus Art Supplies, and Studio 13 Gallery, where you can enjoy sweet treats and local brews, win prizes, and so much more! 

Summer Kick Off at the False Creek Community Centre | 10:30am-12:30pm 

1318 Cartwright Street 

Event description: Kick off the first long weekend of the summer and join us for carnival games, bouncy castle, children’s entertainment, and our popular Youth Leadership Team concession inside the Community Centre from 10:30am-12:30pm! Enjoy the Water Park after the indoor festivities from 10am – 6pm. FREE fun for all ages! No registration required. 

Kids Market Canada Day Celebrations | 11am-5pm

Park Behind the Kids Market 

Transform yourself into your favourite fantastic creature – superheros included! – with the magic of facepainting, enjoy sand art and balloon twisting, and fill hungry tummies at the Beanstalk Bistro or at Ribbit’s Corner’s popcorn stand (fees may apply)! Free activities for kids include arts and crafts by Kaboodles. 

Outdoor Vendor Village at Triangle Square | 10am-6pm (while quantities last)
1680 Johnston Street 

Visit the breezy Vendor Village in Triangle Square, where some Public Market tenants will be set up to provide additional access to tasty treats, including hand-crafted eats made by Market Artisans. 

Lee’s Donuts Pop-up 

Enjoy Lee’s signature handmade, classic donuts and specially curated pre-packaged assortments and exclusive discounts on merchandise. Learn about their rich history and savour the delicious flavours that have made them a Vancouver favourite since 1979! 

Maple Sugar Shack 

Pancake breakfast in the morning and maple syrup on snow all day long? Yes please! Start out the day with the true taste of Canada! 

The Great Canadian Nanaimo Bar Giveaway – Northern Bars 

Sweeten your Canada Day with the first ever Great Canadian Nanaimo Bar Giveaway, brought to you by Northern Bars at the historic Granville Island Public Market. Northern Bars will be giving out a single Classic Nanaimo Bar (packaged) to the first 1,000 attendees. 

A Bread Affair – Canada Day Cookie Decorating  

Duck under the cookie canopy and decorate your very own Canada Day cookie! Maple leaf-shaped cookies await your culinary creativity! Decorate your tasty canvas with yummy icings and colourful sprinkles – make them as sweet and sparkly as you like! Also joining will be Coconama and Dvorak Foods, offering a delicious assortment of snacks. 

Granville Island Water Park and Slide

Enjoy the Water Park for free during the summer months on Granville Island, next to the False Creek Community Centre. Come and join us at the children’s park and grass area to relax and enjoy the spray park and water slide!

May 25-June 30: Full Water Park open weekends only (weather dependent),  Spray Park open weekdays only 9am-6pm

July 1-September 2: Full Water Park open 7 days a week 9am-6pm

FREE Granville Island Bike Parking

All summer Granville Island offers free daily bike parking to safely store your bike, scooter, or cargo trailer. Valet attendants will park them at no charge, allowing you to enjoy your Granville Island experience on foot. No lock needed.

11 AM – 11 PM June 29^th (Last night of Jazz Fest)

11 AM – 7 PM June 30 -July 1