It’s a summer tradition in Vancouver — millions of people packing around English Bay for the Honda Celebration of Light — but the annual fireworks festival has now been indefinitely cancelled.
Organizers announced Wednesday that the city’s largest public event has been cut due to escalating costs and dwindling funding.
Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society (VFFS), the non-profit that runs the event, says it can no longer continue to “go cap in hand,” seeking federal funding, provincial support, and private investments.
“Ending that tradition is incredibly painful, but we simply can’t continue,” said VFFS Co-chair Michael McKnight.
He tells 1130 NewsRadio that organizers have been struggling for years.
“We all know that inflation has had an impact on everything… and that includes the fireworks festival,” said McKnight.
“So costs have gone up, and all revenue has gone down. We used to get significant revenue from both the provincial government and the federal government. We had nothing from the federal government in 2025. Again, no commitment 2026 in our provincial grant has gone down significantly at the same time.”
He says other public events are facing similar struggles, but the Celebration of Light is unique in being totally free to all attendees.
“I’ve talked to many families over the years who tell me about the tradition of their family coming down each and every year to the same spot in English Bay to enjoy something that is free. And in a time of an affordability crisis, this is one ray of sunshine every summer for many families in the Lower Mainland. So it’s a sad day to have to announce this.”
The event’s executive producer, Paul Runnals says it’s personal for the volunteers, partners and everyone who has poured their time and energy into the event every year.
“To say it hurts to make this decision is an understatement,” said Runnals.
Wednesday’s announcement is not the first time organizers have indicated the event was in jeopardy without more stable funding.
The most recent warning came last summer as Scotiabank and Seaspan ended their support for the celebration.
Runnals says VFFS and partners have exhausted every option to keep the event going.
“Our hope is that by being transparent about the financial realities, that governments and partners might step up to create a long-term solution that allows the Honda Celebration of Light to return stronger and more sustainable at some point in the future.”
McKnight says the five-person board of organizers is waiting to hear back from the federal government on a request it made months ago for a long-term funding commitment.
“I think that’s a clear signal the federal government won’t be involved.”
He says it’s always possible that another private partner could help revive the event, but understands it’s a challenging economic environment.
“We’re about $1 million short this year, and that’s just not something that a small group of volunteers and our wonderful event partner BrandLife can afford.”
source & photo: CityNews
