The City of Kamloops is inviting residents and visitors to join in a full day of family-friendly fun this Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1, at Riverside Park, culminating in a much-anticipated return of the professional fireworks display at dusk — weather permitting.
The annual celebration, organized in partnership with Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, the Kamloops Arts Council, and the Kamloops Multicultural Society, promises to deliver the vibrant community spirit Kamloops is known for, with expanded programming, more entertainment, and a few key changes to improve the overall experience.
New Additions and Expanded Grounds
“We’ve expanded the celebrations from one end of Riverside Park to the other,” said Janvi Desai, the City’s Community Events Supervisor. “There’s something happening no matter where you are in the park — from near the Sandman Centre all the way to the west end.”
New for 2025, the east end of the park will feature an extra entertainment stage, additional bouncy castles, and a community photo booth. The area will also host food trucks and community booths, offering more variety and earlier entertainment starting at 11:00 am.
Full Day of Activities
The celebration kicks off at 7:00 am with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Lions Club, followed by a multicultural flag parade and opening ceremonies at the Rotary Bandshell. Cultural performances, artisan vendors, and the beloved Folkfest international food fair will continue throughout the day.
Live entertainment will span multiple stages, including performances from local bands like Shattered Blue and Lockdown, as well as drumming, Bollywood dancing, highland dancing, and more.
The Beer Garden will offer a licensed area for adults to enjoy refreshments. However, open alcohol is not permitted in the park during this event. “The responsible drinking provision only applies during Music in the Park, not during major events like Canada Day,” Desai clarified.
Click here for a full list of events.
Fireworks Return After Community Feedback
After experimenting with a drone show in 2024, the City is bringing back the traditional fireworks display in response to strong community feedback.
“The drones were an experiment, and the community clearly preferred the fireworks,” said Desai. “We listened and decided to bring them back.”
The professional fireworks will be launched from Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc reserve lands, with access restricted to authorized personnel. The City extends its thanks to Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc for their continued partnership in supporting this event.
Weather will be a deciding factor, and the fireworks could be canceled in the event of high winds or dry conditions. “We’re hopeful,” Desai said. “We’ve had some rain recently and are expecting more, so fingers crossed.”
Safety and Sustainability Reminders
Kamloops Fire Rescue reminds residents that consumer fireworks and open fires are strictly prohibited. Violators face fines of $250 for fireworks and up to $500 for illegal fires under the Fire Prevention Bylaw.
“We live in a desert-like climate where the risk of wildfire is always high,” said Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Cail. “Even one spark can cause catastrophic damage. Let us put on the show — safely and professionally.”
The City is also emphasizing sustainability efforts, asking attendees to bring refillable water bottles and use composting and recycling stations on site. “Our EcoSmart team and volunteers work hard to keep the event green,” Desai noted. “Please support their efforts.”
Getting There: Free Transit and Bike Valet
BC Transit will offer free service all day on a Saturday schedule, and a Bike Valet will be available at the west end of the park near the tennis courts. Attendees are asked not to park on surrounding roads and to consider alternative transportation. Designated parking is available near the Sandman Centre and along Lorne Street.
