When it returns to the skies over Vancouver this summer, the Honda Celebration of Light will have a distinctly Canadian flavour.
Organizers have announced today the three competitors for the 33rd annual fireworks competition, which will take place in July over English Bay.
Hundreds of thousands of fireworks spectators will look up to the sky on Saturday, July 19, Wednesday, July 23, and Saturday, July 26, 2025, to see thrilling pyrotechnics from an all-Canadian lineup of competitors — one company representing one of Canada’s territories, and two companies each representing their home provinces.
This is a big departure for the world’s longest-running offshore fireworks showcase, which welcomed nation-based teams throughout the annual event’s history beginning in 1990.
However, organizers say the event will offer a chance to tap into the wave of national pride that has swept across Canada in recent months, amid the country’s increasingly unstable political and economic relationship with the United States.
Honda Celebration of Light
“The last several months have proven to be a challenging period for our great nation.
However, the circumstances have also contributed to a wave of nationalism that is
unprecedented,” said Michael McKnight, co-chair of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, in a release.
“It’s in that spirit that we are wrapping our 2025 event in the Canadian flag and
celebrating everything that is great about this country.”
The 2025 Honda Celebration of Light competitors include:
Yukon on Saturday, July 19, staged by Midnight Sun Fireworks
Quebec on Wednesday, July 23, staged by Royal Pyrotechnie
Nova Scotia on Saturday, July 26, staged by Fireworks FX
Returning to the Vancouver competition is Midnight Sun Fireworks, a volunteer group from the Yukon that won the 2022 Honda Celebration of Light in their memorable debut appearance. That year, they wowed audiences with a standout performance featuring a dramatic “pirate ship battle” — complete with two fiery ships atop the fireworks barge — and a playful fireworks sequence that spelled out “Y.M.C.A.” during the sequence with the iconic song.
Tonight’s Honda Celebration of Light by Team Canada 🇨🇦 even had a “Pirates of the Caribbean” ship battle! #CelebOfLight pic.twitter.com/xOz5vADMRa
— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) July 28, 2022
Also making a comeback this year is Royal Pyrotechnie, which first competed in the Honda Celebration of Light in 2017. Based near Montreal, the company traces its roots back to 1966, when its founder began selling small firecrackers in toy stores. Just a year later, they staged their first fireworks show at Montreal’s Expo ’67 World’s Fair.
Meanwhile, Fireworks FX — a Nova Scotia-based company founded in 1983 — will be making its debut at the Honda Celebration of Light this year.
New 10:15 p.m. fireworks start time
Previously, the fireworks show began promptly at 10 p.m. For 2025, the fireworks show for each of the three nights will be shifted 15 minutes later into the evening, starting at 10:15 p.m.
Each fireworks show is synchronized to a curated soundtrack by the respective pyrotechnic teams.
A drone show, sponsored by the BC Honda Dealers, will take flight at approximately 10 p.m. each evening, just before the fireworks. Canada’s Snowbirds, the Royal Canadian Air Force 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, will also take to the skies to wow the crowds on the final two nights.
Each night, the free event attracts up to 400,000 spectators to the beaches and parks in and around English Bay.
Honda Celebration of Light
Financial struggles for 2025 event
Organizers also shared that the iconic event faced significant financial challenges, including “the loss of two major sponsors and the absence of federal government support.”
“The Vancouver Fireworks Society is expressing its appreciation for the ongoing support of title sponsor Honda and major sponsors, including Concord Pacific, Tymac Launch Service, the Province of B.C., the City of Vancouver, and the Vancouver Parks Board. The Society wishes to provide special thanks to Destination Vancouver and other partners, including the West End BIA, for increasing their level of participation in 2025.”
This marks the first time in almost 20 years that organizers of the fireworks competition have publicly acknowledged financial challenges — dating back to when the event previously faced the threat of cancellation due to a shortage of sponsorship, when potential corporate partners diverted some of their resources to supporting the 2010 Winter Olympics.
In the early stages of the post-pandemic recovery, nearly all major public events in Metro Vancouver faced mounting challenges due to rapidly rising costs and a shrinking local sponsorship market — pressures that have only been exacerbated by this year’s worsening economic conditions. Many of the largest events enjoyed by the public since 2022 — when health restrictions on mass gatherings were first lifted — have only been sustained by temporary federal and provincial grants introduced during this recovery period.
In February 2025, organizers of the Honda Celebration of Light were among 24 event organizers of major events in British Columbia who urged the provincial government to renew vital grant programs, warning of a “looming crisis” for such events that bring communities together, foster civic pride, attract tourism, and boost the economy.
The Honda Celebration of Light — formerly known as the Symphony of Light — is not only one of Vancouver’s longest-standing traditions, but also the largest annual public event in B.C., drawing the biggest crowds of any gathering in the province. According to organizers, this annual Vancouver fireworks event has an economic spinoff impact of $265 million per year, supporting restaurants, retail, hotels, entertainment, services, and other businesses.
Today, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim added that he is excited for locals and visitors to experience everything that the city has to offer while attending this year’s fireworks spectacles.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone, from Vancouverites to visitors from across the country and around the world, to this incredible event,” said Sim in a statement.
Honda Celebration of Light
“The Honda Celebration of Light is a summer tradition that brings people together and highlights the energy, diversity, and spirit of our city. It’s a celebration of everything that makes Vancouver special and what it means to be Canadian,” continued Sim.
As per tradition, the fireworks will be launched from a barge in the middle of English Bay.
For a more optimal and comfortable experience, the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light will bring back two premium viewing areas at English Bay Beach — Inukshuk Point, and the expanded Concord Pacific Grandstand. Tickets for these viewing areas can be purchased online at the event’s website, with pre-sales starting today, Thursday, May 8, at 11 a.m., and general public sales beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 9.
The popular 50-50 raffle will also return this summer to help raise funds for the event’s continuation.
Schedule and provinces:
Saturday, July 19: Yukon – Team Midnight Sun
With pre-fireworks BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
Wednesday, July 23: Quebec – Team Royal Pyrotechnie
With pre-fireworks Snowbirds Air Show and BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
Saturday, July 26: Nova Scotia – Team Fireworks FX
With BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
Nightly schedule:
CF Snowbirds Air Show: Start time TBA (July 23 and 27)
BC Honda Dealers Drone Show: 10 p.m.
Fireworks: 10:15 p.m., rain or shine. Music simulcasts can be heard on radio station CFMI Rock 101.
Location: English Bay, Vancouver
Daily Hive is a proud media partner of the
2025 Honda Celebration of Light