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By Victor Kaisar

Canada Day Festivities

Fireworks to return as Kamloops releases details about Canada Day 2025 festivities

Jun 26, 2025 | 1:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops has released its schedule of events for this year’s Canada Day festivities, and its expected to feature a fireworks display.

After electing to move forward with a drone light show last year, City Councillors reversed course, and reverted back to the traditional fireworks display. According to the city, last year’s 18-minute drone show cost $42,000, while the 2023 fireworks display cost $20,000.

“We’ve talked about this for the last two years and it’s risky to try new things, but this was something that staff tried to put their best foot forward,” said Councillor Mike O’Reilly, said in October last year.

“I just don’t think the technology has caught up to where it will be, reliability-wise and cost-wise.”

The weather remains a factor for this year’s fireworks display, though conditions have been favourable over the past few weeks. While recent rain has caused the fire danger rating to drop, it is expected to increase again as Environment Canada is calling for a return of temperatures into the mid-30s by the middle of next week.

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Canada Day festivities at Riverside Park will get underway with the Lions Club pancake breakfast between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 am. Other festivities – like the multicultural flag parade – will get underway at 10:45 a.m., followed by Drum Canada at 11:00 a.m., and opening ceremonies from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“Spend the day wandering through the park, discovering local artisans, enjoying multicultural food, cooling off in the beer garden, and taking in a wide range of performances,” Janvi Desai, the City’s Community Events Coordinator, said in a statement.

Other events that will be held July 1 include Art in the Park at the west end of the park near the Rose Garden. At the east end of the park will be the Kids’ Fun Zone, as well as a number of community booths and food trucks.

There will also be music and dance performances on various stages throughout Riverside Park, and an online interactive map of all attractions can be found here.

As part of its zero waste pledge, the City says people should bring a reusable water bottle and a tote bag. They’re also asking people to stay away from the construction area as crews continue to work on the new outdoor skating rink at Riverside Park.

Attendees are encouraged to help reduce landfill waste by bringing a water bottle and a tote bag for collecting swag and purchases from community booths and Art in the Park vendors.

Buses will be free on July 1 and it will operate on Saturday-level service. There will also be a bike valet offered at the Riverside Park tennis courts.

“The City thanks the Kamloops Arts Council and the Kamloops Multicultural Society for organizing the Canada Day festivities and BCLC for sponsoring the main stage entertainment at this event,” Desai added.

“We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.”

For more details on Canada Day festivities in Kamloops, go here.