On December 31, 2016, Victoria will be one of 19 cities across the country marking the countdown to the New Year, as part of the launch of celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Spirit of 150 Victoria – First Night will take place on Saturday, December 31, 2016 from 5–9pm at Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
The celebration will open with a First Nations welcoming ceremony. Event planning is currently underway, but is expected to include free, family-friendly activities such as the singing of “O Canada,” a citizenship pledge, cultural performances, and a main stage featuring well-known Canadian, local, Francophone, Indigenous and ethnocultural artists.
The night will culminate with a fireworks display at 9pm PST to align with the midnight countdown in Ottawa. Fireworks will be timed across the country, with large screens simulcasting the festivities.
The Greater Victoria Spirit Committee, in partnership with the City of Victoria, received a federal contribution of $224,000 from the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canada 150 Fund to host the celebration.
The event line-up will be shared with the community in late November.
