VANCOUVER: Canada Place

Get your flags and face tattoos ready.

The biggest party this side of the Fraser kicks off on a patriotic and poignant note: Watch dozen of new Canadians swear allegiance to Queen and country in the shadow of the Olympic cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza at 10 a.m. Afterwards, wander along the waterfront. There’ll be street shinny, a logger show, and the docked HMCS Vancouver. Crowds thicken for the parade, which starts at Broughton and Georgia at 7 p.m., and the spectacular fireworks over Burrard Inlet at 10:30 p.m.

VANCOUVER: Granville Island

For a more laid-back celebration, head south — but just past the bridge. Granville Island throws a rollicking birthday party, with an artsy flair. Shake your booty at an old-school disco party in Railspur Alley, learn to decorate your bike, or catch a water ballet show by the False Creek Ferries. Jazz lovers shouldn’t miss the free concerts put on by the TD International Jazz Fest. But first, fortify yourself for the day’s festivities with grub from the Truly Canadian Pancake Breakfast starting at 7 a.m., for $8. Best part: Canadian bacon.

VANCOUVER: The Waldorf Hotel

The Waldorf’s first block party will be where all the cool kids come to play. On the playbill: Eclectic music — reggae, ’60s soul, even an electric cellist — programmed by After Dinner Mint’s Joy Mullen and a parade of some of the city’s most beloved food carts. The free event unrolls at noon in the Waldorf’s parking lot. Ice-cold brews await at the historic hotel’s new beer garden.

SURREY

More than 100,000 people will descend on the Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre grounds to celebrate what is being billed as the largest Canada Day party in Western Canada. Face-painting, tasty treats, a fun-packed kid-zone, and various musical acts entertain during the day, while headliners Sam Roberts Band and Hannah Georgas take to the stage at night. Fireworks at 10:15 p.m.

LANGLEY

Fire up that patriotic spirit, and help put Canada in the Guinness Book of World Records. Langley resident Linda Bellamy hopes to amass 25,000 proud Canucks at the McLeod Athletic Park oval to hold up red and white poster boards to form the world’s largest living flag. Be on the field by 11 a.m.; flag goes up at 2:15 p.m.

ABBOTSFORD

Sure, there’s the usual pancake breakfast and parade, but Abbotsford adds Fraser Valley flavour to its Canada Day festivities with community displays, hayrides, mini-golf and a provincial heritage fair. This year’s theme is Circus Circus; roving circus performers will be on hand.

WHISTLER

Out of the myriad activities to choose from — Farmer’s market! Art walk! Parade! Cake! — why are we most excited about the dunking of prominent Whistler folks at the Olympic Plaza? At 8:30 p.m., blues musician Jim Byrnes and The Sojourners take to the stage. Fireworks finale at 10:15 p.m.