Coquitlam hosts the biggest day of this year’s Celebrate BC festival. Town Centre Park’s expanded lineup on Monday, August 3, is the showcase event of a two day, two city celebration of the people, cultures and communities that make British Columbia unique.

It’s designed as an affordable, family friendly festival, and this year’s Coquitlam day leans into that with its biggest food draw yet: BC’s largest wild salmon barbecue, alongside a full slate of entertainment, contests and activities for every age.

“Celebrate BC is about bringing people together to celebrate everything that makes British Columbia such an incredible place to call home. We are excited to welcome families from across the Lower Mainland and beyond for two days that showcase our province’s diversity, cultures and remarkable sense of community.”
Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

A Message from the Province

Trouble playing the video? Watch it directly here.

The Honourable Anne Kang, BC’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, has also shared a video message ahead of this year’s festival, available at celebratebc.ca/media.

Coquitlam: Monday, August 3, 2026

Where: Town Centre Park, Coquitlam

When: 11 am to 7 pm

Cost: Free to attend, with affordable food options throughout the day

A cook grilling salmon fillets for the Celebrate BC wild salmon barbecue, Photography Credit Tina-Louise Harris

BC’s Largest Wild Salmon Barbecue

The centrepiece of Monday’s program is BC’s largest wild salmon barbecue, grilled up fresh throughout the day. Beyond the barbecue, Coquitlam’s expanded lineup includes:

The Fast and Furriest Corgi and Wiener Dog Races, one of the festival’s most popular draws
Live music and cultural performances
Interactive activities for all ages
A full lineup of local food vendors
The return of the Beautiful BC Photo Contest, presented by Sony

Dog owners hoping to enter this year’s races can find registration details at celebratebc.ca/bc-fast-and-furriest, and anyone with a great BC photo can enter the Beautiful BC Photo Contest online at celebratebc.ca/photo-contest.

Attendees at a past Celebrate BC event with mountains in the background, Photographer Credit Kevin Printz

Part of a Two Day Celebration

Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park day caps off a festival that begins two days earlier in Port Moody. Rocky Point Park hosts the opening day on Saturday, August 1, with a blueberry pancake breakfast, canoe paddle adventures and an Indigenous artisan market, giving Lower Mainland families the option to take in both cities across the long weekend.

Recognizing that affordability remains a priority for many households, every food vendor will once again offer at least one ten dollar menu item, so families can enjoy a full day of activities and meals at an accessible price point.

Now in its second year, Celebrate BC is a province-wide celebration of British Columbia’s history, cultures and people, bringing together Indigenous communities, newcomers and long-time British Columbians in a shared celebration of the province’s diverse heritage. The two-city format reflects that same spirit, giving the festival room to grow while keeping each day’s program rooted in its host community.

More to Do in Coquitlam This August

Town Centre Park is a good jumping off point for the rest of what Coquitlam has going on this summer. Mundy Park and Como Lake Park are both close by for a walk once the festival wraps up, the city’s craft breweries and taprooms make a natural stop afterward, and Coquitlam’s sunny-day patios are worth booking ahead for the rest of the long weekend. For a cooler day out, White Pine Beach is a short drive away.

Questions Often Asked

When and where is Celebrate BC in Coquitlam?

Monday, August 3, from 11 am to 7 pm at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam. It follows the festival’s opening day in Port Moody on August 1.

How do I register for the Fast and Furriest Corgi and Wiener Dog Races?

Registration details are posted at celebratebc.ca/bc-fast-and-furriest.

How do I enter the Beautiful BC Photo Contest?

Entries can be submitted online at celebratebc.ca/photo-contest. The contest is presented by Sony.

How much does it cost to attend?

Admission is free. Every food vendor, including the wild salmon barbecue, offers at least one ten dollar menu item.

Who supports Celebrate BC?

The festival is presented with support from the Kwikwetlem First Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the Cities of Coquitlam and Port Moody, and sponsors including Century Group, Wesbild, Beedie, BCLC and Heritage Canada, along with a number of in-kind and media partners. Performers this year include George Leach, Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, Hidden GEM, Dani Black and Venus and Mars.

For the latest festival information, visit celebratebc.ca and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.