Celebration of Light

The Honda Celebration of Light (formerly known as the Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire and the HSBC Celebration of Light) is an annual musical fireworks competition in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The celebration is one of Vancouver's largest and most well-known festivals, and is recognized as the longest-running offshore fireworks competition in the world.

The event was postponed until July 23, 27, and 30 in 2022 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia.

[6] The competitor for Japan, Akariya, previously won the 2014 Honda Celebration of Light.

Royal Pyrotechnie, recognized as the most decorated fireworks firm in Canada, is the only group to win three Gold Jupiter awards during the annual L'International des Feux Loto-Québec competition.

[7] The songs were voted by the public on Honda's Celebration of Light Facebook page;[8] the three chosen were "Ahead by a Century" by The Tragically Hip, "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, and "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams.

[14] The Walt Disney Company, the world's largest consumer of fireworks,[15] was the competitor for the United States, while Australia was represented by Howard & Sons, whose displays have included the opening and closing ceremonies for 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney[16] and opening and closing ceremonies for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

[18] Vancouver Police had to shut down English Bay Beach for the Team USA show, due to capacity concerns.

For the 25th anniversary of the event, three returning competitors from China, Brazil, and Canada participated.

[30] The 2009 HSBC Celebration of Light winner was China (Red Eagle Industrial and Trade Co.

[31] The 2008 HSBC Celebration of Light winner was Canada, making back-to-back wins for Archangel Fireworks Inc.

The 2012 Brazil show
Fireworks by China on July 31, 2010.
Fireworks from China's 2008 show, from Kitsilano Beach
A portion of China's 2006 Show
Fireworks display by Italy in 2006