Canada Day at Castle Park: A Celebration to Remember in Port Coquitlam

POCO LIVING
Jul 1
3 min read

On July 1, 2025, Castle Park became the heart of Port Coquitlam as thousands gathered under sunny skies to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday. With Canadian flags waving, music echoing through the trees, and an unmistakable sense of community pride, this year’s Canada Day was truly one to remember.

Crowd at a Canada Day festival, with a band playing on stage. Red and white decorations, banners reading "Celebrate. Connect. Community."

A Morning Full of Local Tradition

The day kicked off with the ever-popular Fishing Derby at Lions Park from 8 AM to 11 AM. Young anglers under 10 years old dropped their lines with hopes of catching “the big one,” and families lined the banks, sharing laughs and cheering every catch.

Just a short walk away, the Port Coquitlam Community Centre hosted a pancake breakfast and free drop-in basketball and lacrosse. The air inside Mabbett Hall smelled of syrup and sizzling batter, while the sports courts buzzed with activity. It was the perfect way to start the day, gathering over food, fun, and local connection.

Castle Park Comes Alive for Canada Day

By early afternoon, the celebration shifted to Castle Park, and it didn’t take long for the energy to build. The park filled quickly with picnic blankets, red-and-white outfits, face-painted maple leaves, and the buzz of excitement.

People in red clothing gather in a park under sunny skies with a Canadian flag in the background, surrounded by trees and picnic setups.

Families explored a local vendor village filled with handcrafted goods, services, and community organizations. Food trucks like Reel Mac & Cheese, Whistler Pizza, and Kona Ice served up festival favourites, while the beverage garden offered refreshing pours from local names like Taylight Brewing, Tinhouse, and Patina.

On the main stage, live music kept the momentum going.

🎤 The Matinee delivered two energetic sets

🎸 Whiskey Blind followed with a blend of rock and blues

🎶 And the day only got bigger from there.

At 3:30 PM, the Opening Ceremony brought the crowd together as city officials welcomed everyone and members of Kwikwetlem First Nation shared a land acknowledgement, a meaningful and grounding moment in the day’s celebration.

A Night to Remember

As evening fell, thousands gathered near the stage for the night’s big headliners.

Country star Aaron Pritchett hit the stage at 7:10 PM, drawing cheers and sing-alongs from fans of all ages.
Legendary Canadian rock band Trooper followed at 8:50 PM, igniting Castle Park with anthem after anthem. Songs like “Raise a Little Hell” and “We’re Here for a Good Time” had the crowd dancing and waving flags high.

Red fireworks burst in the night sky, creating bright patterns and trails against a dark background, evoking a celebratory mood.

Then, at exactly 10:20 PM, the anticipation peaked as the night sky erupted in a breathtaking symphony of colour and light. The fireworks finale lit up Castle Park with a dazzling, high-energy display that could be seen and heard across much of Port Coquitlam. Families, friends, and neighbours looked up in awe, with many capturing the moment on their phones while others simply stood still, soaking it all in. Bursts of red, white, and gold filled the sky, echoing the pride and unity felt throughout the day

Getting Everyone There and Back Home

People gathering near a yellow school bus on a sunny street with trees. Kids boarding, cyclists passing. Festive, lively atmosphere.

To make the event as accessible as possible, the city provided free shuttle buses all day, connecting residents from across Port Coquitlam directly to Castle Park and back. This service made a huge difference, allowing families, seniors, and individuals without transportation to join the celebration stress-free.

The event was also thoughtfully designed with accessibility in mind, from ASL interpreters and accessible viewing areas to a sensory-friendly zone hosted by the Canucks Autism Network, offering a quieter space for anyone who needed it.

A Celebration of Community

Canada Day at Castle Park 2025 was more than an event; it was a powerful reminder of what makes Port Coquitlam so special. Neighbours became friends, kids made new memories, and our city came together to celebrate not just Canada, but each other.

A large crowd sitting on chairs at an outdoor event with red clothing and Canadian flags. Trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this day a success, from city staff and volunteers to performers, vendors, and most of all, the community that showed up in full force.

We’ll see you again next year, PoCo. Until then, stay proud, stay connected, and keep celebrating the little things that make this city feel like home.