One of Vancouver's most iconic summer traditions, the Celebration of Light fireworks competition, has been permanently extinguished after more than three decades due to an insurmountable funding crisis.
The Final Curtain Call
The executive producer of the event, Paul Runnals, confirmed the difficult decision, stating plainly that "the numbers don't add up anymore." The spectacular displays over English Bay, which began in 1992 as the Symphony of Fire, will not return after their final performance in the summer of 2025.
Runnals described a "perfect storm" of financial pressures that made the continuation of the $3 million event impossible. Organizers had been sounding the alarm throughout the previous summer, warning that the event's future was in serious jeopardy without a more stable financial foundation.
Crunching the Numbers: A Budget in Crisis
A detailed look at the financial breakdown reveals the severity of the situation. Critical government funding has been dramatically reduced or eliminated entirely:
- Federal funding dropped from $450,000 in 2023 to $250,000 in 2024, and was cut completely for 2025 and 2026.
- Provincial funding remained stagnant at $250,000 for the past 15 years, a figure severely eroded by inflation, and was scheduled to be slashed to just $100,000 next year.
Simultaneously, the event's operational costs have skyrocketed. The annual budget has increased by approximately $700,000 over the last four years, representing a staggering 35-per-cent increase from pre-pandemic levels. Every line item, from labour and supplies to insurance, has become more expensive.
The Sponsorship Drought and an Uncertain Future
The financial strain was compounded by a retreat from the private sector. Economic uncertainty, inflation, and higher borrowing costs have made companies hesitant to commit to major sponsorships. The festival recently lost two key sponsors: Scotiabank and Seaspan.
Runnals explained that while the event typically operated on a thin margin, the organization could no longer absorb repeated financial losses. "We were able to go forward, but at the end of the day, we lost money," he said. "We can take a little hit here and there, but we can't do that repeatedly."
After exhausting all possible avenues for funding, the non-profit Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society and its producer, BrandLive, were forced to make the heartbreaking call. The cancellation marks the end of an era for a event that drew enormous crowds to Vancouver's waterfront each summer, creating cherished memories for residents and visitors alike.
