Read about International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2021

In 2005, the U.N. General Assembly designated January 27 – the anniversary of the liberation of the largest Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau where over 6,000,000 innocents were systematically murdered – as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD). January 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of liberation in 1945.

The U.N. resolution that created IHRD rejects denial of the Holocaust and condemns discrimination and violence based on religion or ethnicity. IHRD is officially observed by the United Nations countries including Canada, Italy, and Germany, as well as many cities such as Calgary, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Canada offers refuge and new hope to immigrants, refugees, and survivors, some of whom have escaped more recent genocides – and it is a place where people can learn from each other and share cultures.

Antisemitism is on the rise around the world, in Canada, and in Vancouver. Hatred has flourished in the digital age. It is more important than ever that the lessons learned and horrors of the Holocaust remain present in the public consciousness so they are never repeated.

As we reflect upon that dark period in history and remember the atrocities perpetrated during the Holocaust, Vancouver has the opportunity to join with the Jewish community and all of our citizens, and Canadians from all walks of life in demonstrating our commitment to stand against antisemitism, hate, and genocide.

To commemorate this day and to create greater public understanding and awareness of this horrific period in history between 1933-1945, the City of Vancouver proclaims January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Read about Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia 2021

On January 29, 2017, a white gunman entered the Islamic Cultural Centre mosque in Quebec City and opened fire on dozens of Muslim worshippers. By the time the shooting had ended, six people had been tragically killed and 19 more were injured.

Muslim communities across Canada were, and continue to be, affected by this and other acts of hate, racism, white supremacy, and islamophobia - including the anti-Islam rally planned for August 19, 2017, outside Vancouver City Hall.

To commemorate this day, the City of Vancouver, and the cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Hamilton, and Windsor have all designated January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. Many municipalities across Canada also commemorate the events of January 29 with their Muslim community partners, and there is a nation-wide campaign External website, opens in new tab for the federal government to recognize the day nationally.

Lunar New Year is a traditional holiday celebrated by the Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean communities.

The holiday runs from the last day of the last month of the lunar calendar, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month, making it the longest holiday in the lunar calendar. Windows and doors of homes and offices are often decorated with red color paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of "good fortune" or "happiness," "wealth," and "longevity."

Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.

View the Lunar New Year proclamation PDF file (258 KB)

 Check out Black History Month events taking place around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Black History Month is an opportunity to share the history, contributions, and culture of Black Canadians.

Here in British Columbia, there is a significant Black history going back to Canada’s colonial origins. In 1858, nearly 800 free Black people left the oppressive racial conditions of San Francisco for a new life on Vancouver Island.

Black History Month community celebration

On January 31, 2020, Vancouver City Council hosted a community celebration for Black History Month at City Hall.

Watch the Community Celebration of Black History Month.

Hogan's Alley

On February 1, 2019, we announced that a new temporary modular housing development at 258 Union St will be named after Nora Hendrix who was a key member of the Hogan's Alley community.

Around 1900, the Black community from Vancouver Island moved to the Lower Mainland and settled in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood, also known as Hogan's Alley.

Hogan's Alley ran between Union and Prior streets from the alley east of Main Street to Jackson Street.

Hogan's Alley pioneers

Though still faced with intense discrimination, these pioneers enriched the political, religious, and economic life of the colony. Many from that initial group have contributed notably to BC life:

• Mifflin Gibbs became a prominent politician.
• Charles and Nancy Alexander initiated the Shady Creek Methodist Church.
• John Deas established a salmon cannery on land in Delta that is now Deas Island.
• Barbara Howard, aged 17, was the first black female athlete to represent Canada in international competition at the British Empire Games in Australia. She was the first visible minority hired by the Vancouver School Board and taught physical education at Strathcona School.
• Jimi Hendrix lived with his grandmother Nora Hendrix in Vancouver after being discharged from the US army. In 1968, Jimi Hendrix played at the Pacific Coliseum.

In late 2011, Council passed a motion designating Black History Month as a civic special event with funding.

View the celebration's events

By City of Vancouver

The Council Chamber is full of guests keen to take part in the Black History Month celebration.

• Commemorative Black History Month stamp

  By City of Vancouver

  Councilor Pete Fry, Councilor Christine Boyle, Donalda Simon (niece of Canadian civil rights hero Viola Desmond), and Maurice Earle from Canada Post with this year's commemorative Black History Month stamp and the $10 bill which features Viola Desmond.

• Reading the proclamation

  By City of Vancouver

  Deputy Mayor Christine Boyle reading the proclamation before presenting it to the members of the Black History Month Planning Committee.

• Home, Homelessness, and Belonging in Vancouver

  By City of Vancouver

  Emcee Melissa Crump, panelists Felix Marie Badeau, Anika Gibson, Mebrat Beyene, and Warren Williams share their thoughts on this year's theme 'Home, Homelessness, and Belonging in Vancouver'.

• First Nations Welcome

  By City of Vancouver

  Squamish Councilor Orene Askew delivers a beautiful First Nations Welcome and shares why this celebration is so meaningful to her.

Every year on March 8, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements.  A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world, ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities, and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

The City celebrates this day by highlighting issues of importance to local women, and by highlighting the important roles women in our communities play. See how we're recognizing International Women's Day this year.

In 2019, Mayor and Council passed a motion to add Nowruz to our list of official celebrations and observances.

View the Nowruz proclamation PDF file (129 KB)

Nowruz means the “New Day” in Farsi and marks the beginning of Spring and the arrival of the new year. Originating in the Iranian Plateau, it is a holiday celebrated by people in more than 15 countries from Kashgar in China, to Albania, from Uzbekistan to Zanzibar and marks the new year in Iran and Afghanistan. Additionally, it is celebrated by Kurdish people, Parsis of India, and people of Islamic, Bahai, Zoroastrian, and other faiths and is included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

At the exact moment of the spring equinox (March 19, 20, or 21), families gather around the “Haft Sin”, “Haft Seen” or “Haft Mewa” table in anticipation of starting the new year.

Nowruz promotes the values of peace and solidarity, reconciliation and neighborliness, diversity, and friendship among people. Nowruz is a time of transformation, and a reminder that every new day is a chance for a fresh start.

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In 1966, the United Nations declared March 21 “International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.”

This day marks when 69 anti-apartheid protesters were killed by police in Sharpeville, South Africa, on March 21, 1960.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed in cities around the world, including Vancouver, which is home to Indigenous, Black, Asian, and other racialized communities.

Read the proclamation PDF file (143 KB)

Learn what we're doing to address anti-racism and cultural redress

On May 23, 1914, 376 British Subjects from India of Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu origin arrived in Vancouver Harbour aboard the Komagata Maru seeking to enter Canada. On July 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru was forced to leave as a result of a discriminatory act by the Government of Canada, excluding immigrants from India, without allowing the passengers to disembark. Upon their return to India, they were met with a deadly encounter with police and troops near Kolkata. 20 passengers were killed, some escaped, and many were imprisoned. 

On June 9, 2020, Vancouver City Council passed the "Komagata Maru Apology and Remembrance Day Proclamation" motion to formally apologize for the previous Council's injustices and their cruel effects on individuals and families impacted by the Komagata Maru incident. It was also declared that May 23 shall be known as "Komagata Maru Remembrance Day" in Vancouver.

Learn more about the Komagata Maru incident 

Italian Heritage Month is an opportunity to honour the history, culture, and contributions of Italian-Canadians to the city of Vancouver. It involves a month long series of events presented by various partners, including Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver, and the Italian Day Festival Society, showcasing performances, exhibitions, language and cultural initiatives, community festivals, and other events.

Traditionally, the signature and largest event of Italian Heritage Month has been Italian Day on The Drive, a vibrant cultural street festival, organized by the Italian Day Festival Society, which takes place on the second Sunday in June. COVID-19 has prevented the realization of this and other public events celebrating Italian Heritage Month; however, the spirit will prevail as community and culture come together with virtual presentations throughout the month at Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, as well as the Italian Day Festival society’s launch of the LOVE – AMA theme and music series of ‘feel good’ summer experiences in collaboration with the Commercial Drive Business Society and other partners. 

In addition to the celebrations, Italian Heritage Month is also a time to remember the hardships faced by Italian-Canadians who struggled to immigrate to Vancouver, build their lives and businesses, and contribute to our city. Among these hardships was the internment of 44 Italians who lived in Vancouver and were taken from their families and sent to camps in the early 1940s.

In 2018, Council passed a motion designating Italian Heritage Month to be recognized in the list of official celebrations and observances.

This year’s launch, which was scheduled for Italy’s 75th Independence Day on June 2, was postponed to June 18 out of respect to the members of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, upon the discovery of 215 children found buried on the site of the former Kamloops residential school. As a show of unity, the Italian community insisted that postponing the launch of Italian Heritage Month was the right and respectful thing to do.

True to their Italian spirit, the community’s ‘Love-in-action’ response to postpone their celebration, epitomizes their culture and embodies this year’s theme of “LOVE-AMA” in every respect.

View the Mayor and Council's video message on Italian Heritage Month Video file

View the Italian Day Festival society's launch of LOVE – AMA music Video file

World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on June 20 to honour the courage, strength, and determination of refugees worldwide. It is a day to recognize the contributions of refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented persons in our local communities.

This year’s virtual event is hosted by the local organization, Multi-Agency Partnership BC (MAP BC), with an online event between June 17 to 20 featuring the Mayor’s Proclamation PDF file (464 KB), storytelling, workshops, and concerts to celebrate World Refugee Day on Saturday June 20, 2021.

Learn more about World Refugee Day celebrations External website, opens in new tab and register for The power of stories: a conversation on refugees and literature event presented in partnership with MAP BC External website, opens in new tab and Vancouver Public Library External website, opens in new tab. 

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. The Governor General of Canada proclaimed June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day in 1996 as a celebratory occasion where Indigenous peoples could share their rich, diverse cultures, stories, songs, traditional games, dances, and spirit with all Canadians. This is a time for Canadians to come together, reflect on, and celebrate the unique heritage, traditions, and knowledge of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples.

Credit: This artwork was created by Skundaal, a Haida artist and master carver who also goes by Bernie Williams (Gul-Giit-Jaad; Golden Spruce Woman). She is of St’langng Jaanas/Laanas clan in Haida Gwaii. As a long time Downtown Eastside resident she is a passionate advocate against the discrimination, abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and exploitation against Aboriginal and 2SLGBTQ+ women and girls.

Each year in late July/early August, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirited, and queer communities (LGBTQ2+) – and their friends and allies – join together to celebrate their lives, families, and progress in the areas of equality and tolerance.

Each year, the Mayor proclaims this week "Pride Week" during an event for the community at City Hall. Council also has a significant presence in the annual Pride parade, an event that attracts over 600,000 people.

Eid-al-Adha is a Muslim celebration with links to Islamic history with the history of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity through their common Abrahamic heritage. The festival marks the completion of the Hajj, which is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. 

Over 1.4 billion Muslims around the world, including 7 million in North America and 100,000 in British Columbia celebrate the festival of Eid-al-Adha.

Vancouver is home to the second-largest South Asian community in Canada, and Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is a unifying event in many communities across South Asia.

For all, it is a time of renewed spirit, celebrated with family and the community through joyous music, dance, crafts, stories, and delectable sweets.

To express their happiness during Diwali, people:

• Light clay lamps called diyas, and set off firecrackers 
• Display colourful floor mosaics or rangoli
• Decorate their homes, and partake in sumptuous feasts 

The Remembrance Day Service at Victory Square is the oldest continuing annual ceremony in Vancouver.

The ceremony began in 1924 and reflects respect and remembrance of sacrifices in the service of our country – past and present. 

The service is organized by the Vancouver Remembrance Day Committee, a civic volunteer group with a mandate to organize and conduct the November 11 ceremony on behalf of our citizens. Vancouver is the only city in Canada with a civic volunteer committee supported by the City. The committee has developed a proud tradition of consultation and input from veterans and related groups, numerous service and civic organizations, including city departments, the military and RCMP. 

The ceremony attracts Vancouver citizens to Victory Square, rain or shine, and also attracts hundreds of thousands of television viewers across the country.  This solemn ceremony includes the "Last Post", the "Lament", the fly-past, the change of the guard, the wreath-laying, the parade of veterans, military units, cadets, police, brass bands, and pipes and drums, and is befitting for the many tearful private moments of remembrance.

Every year over 15,000 participants and citizens attend the ceremony.

Learn more about VE Day in Vancouver

Historic Canada: Heritage minutes – Liberation of the Netherlands, May 5, 1945 External website, opens in new tab

Each year on December 3, Vancouver joins cities around the world to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes an understanding of disability issues, increases awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities, and supports their inclusion in every aspect of life.

Since its launch by the United Nations in 1992, this celebration continues to promote the positive impact that integrating people with disabilities has in all spheres of society – including political, social, economic, and cultural life.

In 2006, Council approved International Day of Persons with Disabilities as an official annual event in the City of Vancouver.

The official celebration and observance of Christmas is one of the City’s earliest recognized occasions. The observance of Christmas around the world varies by country. The day of Christmas, and in some cases the day before (Christmas Eve) and the day after (Boxing Day), are recognized by many national governments and cultures worldwide, including in areas where Christianity is a minority religion.

In some non-Christian areas, periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration (example: Hong Kong); in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday.

Christmas celebrations around the world can vary markedly in form, reflecting differing cultural and national traditions. Among countries with a strong Christian tradition, a variety of Christmas celebrations have developed that incorporate regional and local cultures.