Arguably Vancouver's most popular event of the year, the Celebration of Lights, started this weekend with a massive fireworks show from Australia.
The July 22 display came from Howard and Sons, a family-run company that's been around for more than 100 years and has competed twice in Vancouver, at the 1992 and 2016 competitions.
Along with the display, there were performances by Red Bull pilots in the sky and the False Creek Ferries in, well, False Creek. Officials estimate hundreds of thousands of people watch the show from somewhere in Vancouver, with tens of thousands gathering along the city's beaches, shore, and bridges.
Here's how the first night of fiery explosions looked.
Just before the fireworks began, the little ferries did an aquatic ballet.
@emilyjbell_ celebration of light, vancouver 🎇🎆 #fyp #bc #vancouver #vancouverlife🇨🇦 #vancouverbc #vancity #fireworks #englishbay #vancouvertok #vancouvertiktok #canada ♬ stellar - .diedlonely & énouement
@erikajenks It was so fun hearing the west end cheering from their balconies, what a beautiful show ✨ #hondacelebrationoflight #vancouver #vancouverfireworks #fireworks2023 #englishbay #community #summer #weekendfun ♬ original sound - <3
Ok really good @CelebOfLight pic.twitter.com/qidVZa3a1G
— crystal_kwon (@crystal_kwon) July 23, 2023
People were able to watch from all over Vancouver, including some of the towers near downtown.
@melllllli.g Summer highlight forsure. #vancouverfireworks ♬ original sound - <3
One person even captured a romantic "movie-like" proposal under the twinkling fireworks.
@zuzannaelt ngl I actually teared up 🥺 wish them all the best 💓 #vancouver #vancouverbc #fireworks #fyp #canada ♬ Say Yes To Heaven - Sped Up - Lana Del Rey
Meanwhile, one lookout had an unfortunate sprinkler incident.
Sprinklers timer went off right at 10pm at Cypress lookout
by u/veggietofulover in vancouver
The display was so massive that it even showed up on DriveBC's highway cams.
#LionsGateBridge & #CelebOfLight fireworks. #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/7vD7SV5NwI
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 23, 2023
Post-show thousands of people had to migrate out of the West End like a great herd.
This photo of English Bay beach was taken at around 11:10 p.m. Most people have safely made their way to local transit. @VPDHorses are now in the process of closing the beach, while double checking everyone there is okay, and able to move along. pic.twitter.com/M31wdg0yQn
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) July 23, 2023
#englishbay #Vancouver #fireworks #westend pic.twitter.com/Gq6V5rZCat
— Sergio (@CityTheSpring) July 23, 2023
There's going to be two more nights of fireworks, on July 26 and 29.
Coming down to the fireworks?
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) July 23, 2023
Every year we respond to several instances of children briefly getting separated from their groups. Before you arrive, take a photo of how your child looks today, put your number in their pocket, and remind them #VPD are friendly and here to help! pic.twitter.com/vBZXbgpLeL
