The time has come to take a day off and get together with your friends and family to celebrate being alive and being Canadian. On today’s JRFM segment I recommended my top 10 sweet Canadian ways to celebrate Canada Day this Friday, July 1, with a caesar and maybe some bacon in hand.

For the Kids (and the young at heart)

Granville Island is sometimes overlooked when locals are thinking about their July 1 celebrations, but it truly has something for everyone. Organizers say there will be “something to experience around every corner, with the street transformed into a sea of red, white, and fun.” Favourites include the bike decorating workshop and parade, kayak demos, selfie station and refreshing water park.

Canada Place 

Port of Vancouver turns 30 years old and this year’s Canada Day celebrations will be all about flashbacks to Expo 86 at Canada Place.

Highlights: Food carts, street hockey, Canada Day concert featuring Aaron Pritchett, Barney Bentall, Mo Kenney, Bear Mountain, Rococode, Twin Kennedy and Willa, and the traditional citizenship ceremony will welcome 60 new Canadians.

Where: Canada Place, Jack Poole Plaza and surrounding streets

When: 10am to 6pm

For the Family 

Once your done the celebrations at Canada Place, make your way over to Georgia Street and take in the free Canada Day parade. This year there is more than 50 entries that recognize diversity, multiculturalism and brings all Canadians together.

Where: Starts at Georgia and Broughton, runs east along Georgia, continuing north down Burrard Street and ending at West Pender

When: 7pm

Canada Day Fireworks

If you’re downtown Vancouver and looking to take in fireworks with the family, the city’s only two-barge, simultaneous fireworks show is set to light up the night sky in celebration of our nation’s birthday.

Where: Coal Harbour and Dundarave in West Vancouver

When: 10:30 pm

Cultus Lake Marina

Take a trip out to the beautiful Cultus Lake in Chilliwack, 1.5 hours east of Vancouver, Cultus Lake Marina provides some of the finest powerboats and personal watercraft available. Whether you’re looking for a leisure cruise or the adrenaline-spike of a jet ski, Cultus Lake Marina can make it happen! There’s nothing better on a hot day than getting out on the open glacier water. Enjoy one of the many private patio areas while firing up the BBQ for a lakeside feast this Canada Day. #cultuslakelife at #cultusmarina. 

For the Partygoer

The Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Surrey is getting bigger every year with a ton of activities including amusement rides, science world, food trucks, sports zone and games land. On the Main Stage this year you’ll find Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, Ankara with Vancity Bhangra, DJ Flipout, Jocelyn Petit and many more great acts. Plus this year, there’s also a Countdown Zone, where Canadian musicians will perform all day, ahead of Canada’s 150th birthday next year.

Where: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre – 17728 64 Avenue, Surrey

When: 10am – 10:30 pm

For the Sports Enthusiast

The Stanley Park Open is happening this weekend that runs for two and a half weeks with a seeding tournament for amateur and professionals. It’s the biggest of its kind Western Canada. Stanley Park Brewing is the official beer partner running a beer garden where you can catch all the action with happy hours and prizes every day Nx some big raffle prizes at the end.

Where: 8901 Stanley Park Drive

For the Yogi 

For the health enthusiasts check out the iconic Lolë White Tour that will take over the McArthurGlen Luxury Piazza with a mass yoga session to raise funds in support of the Canadian Red Cross’s Fort McMurray fire relief fund. With over 400 people expected to attend dressed head to toe in white, it’s sure to be a powerful experience for both participants and passersby. For anyone who would like to take part, tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/McArthurGlenxLole.

In addition to the Lolë White Tour, McArthurGlen will be holding one of the year’s biggest sales to celebrate it’s one-year anniversary in Vancouver and Canada Day. Discounts of up to 70% off the centre’s premium, luxury and lifestyle brands will be available to shoppers from Friday, July 1st, to Sunday, July 3rd.

Where: McArthurGlen Vancouver – 1000-7899 Templeton Station Rd Richmond.

Easily accessible via the Canada Line’s Templeton Station; just 3 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

When: 9 am – 11:15 am Lolë White Tour On the Road mass yoga session (session starts at 10 a.m.)

12 pm – 8:30 pm – Canada Day festivities

For the Traveller

If you’d like to experience, arguably the best patriotic party in Canada for the long weekend, try Ottawa our capital city. They throw the biggest annual Birthday Bash for all ages, right on the lawn of Parliament Hill.

Highlights: free activities, flyby by Canada’s Snowbirds aerobics team, Canadian musical performers and the biggest July 1st fireworks display in Canada! Make sure to get a good spot by 10pm, as that’s when the fireworks light up the sky!

Canada Day Giveaway – Call in to WIN!

Celebrate Canada Day with 400 Yogis at a mass yoga event!

Lole wants to give you 2 pairs (total 4 tickets) for the Lole White Tour and a $50 McActhurGlen gift card!! Call to WIN at 1245p on Thursday, June 30!!!

Experience lake life at Cultus Lake Marina! Enter on the JRFM Blog! 

Prize #1: Picnic Lunch and Water Adventure 

Seadoos for two for two hours on Cultus Lake and a picnic lunch from Hopcott‘s that includes sandwiches, salads, smokies, etc. Hopcott is a wellness-minded farm that sources grass-fed beef in Pitt Meadows and has a gorgeous bistro.

Prize #2: Picnic Lunch and Water Adventure 

Boating trip for two hours and a picnic lunch from Hopcott’s that includes sandwiches, salads, smokies, etc.

*terms: need a credit card for deposit and expires Sept 6th. Not to be combined with other discounts or promotional offers.