Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada

2012 Calendar of Events

MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER

GeoFreakZ Launch

May 19: 11 am – 2 pm

The GeofreakZ Geotrails Program
The GeofreakZ Geotrails Program
© Parks Canada

On May 19 from 11 am to 2 pm, experienced geocachers will be on site to help you learn the ropes. This is a hobby you can do almost anywhere, and is a great way to get your family outdoors treasure-hunting. You can also enter a raffle to win a GPS unit during the kick off. We’ll be offering the GeofreakZ activity from May 19 to October 13. For more information, visit our activities page.


Summer Program Launch

May 19-20: 10 am – 5 pm

Join us for the kick off of our summer season. Visit a mini encampment featuring volunteers in period costume, the return of the cute farm animals, the opening of the Full Barrel Café, and more! We will feature these scheduled programs, offered on weekends from May 19 to June 30, and then daily in July and August:

  • 10:00 am: Guided Tour
  • 11:00 am: Samuel Robertson: from Sailor to Settler (fun skit for all ages) *NEW*
  • 12:00 pm: 12 o’clock Gun (weekends only)
  • 2:00 pm: Fur Trade Wedding
  • 3:00 pm: Heritage Garden Program *NEW*

Also, don’t miss all the on-going activities in the buildings such as blacksmithing, coopering, geocaching, Xplorers Program and more!


Victoria Day

May 21: 10 am – 5 pm

Catch our float in the May Day parade 
Catch our float in the May Day parade
© Parks Canada 

Watch for our float in the 90th annual Fort Langley May Day Parade (11 am), followed by a community fair. All day, explore the fort, feed the farm animals, and watch historic weapons demos. Free admission.

  • 10:15 am: Historic Weapons Demonstration
  • 11:00 am: Meet the Farm Animals
  • 11:00 am: 90th Annual May Day Parade (streets of Fort Langley)
  • 11:30 am: Barrel-making
  • 12:00 pm: Blacksmithing
  • 1:00 pm: Cannon firing
  • 2:00 pm: First Nations performance
  • 3:00 pm: Cannon firing
  • 4:00 pm: Fur Trade Wedding

Aboriginal Day at Fort Langley

June 23: 10 am – 5 pm

Fire-roasted salmon and traditional First Nation dancing 
Fire-roasted salmon and traditional First Nation dancing
© Parks Canada 

Taste salmon baked over the fire, enjoy Aboriginal dancing, drumming and storytelling, and discover the traditions of our land.


Canada Day

July 1: 9 am – 5 pm

Canada Day at the Fort  
Canada Day at the Fort
© Parks Canada 

Happy Birthday Canada! Watch the Citizenship ceremony and wish Canada a Happy 145th Birthday with multicultural music, cake, and family activities. Free admission


Parks Day

July 21: 9 am – 5 pm

Discover camping then and now at Parks Day 
Discover camping then and now at Parks Day
© Parks Canada 

Discover camping then and now. Learn how 19th century fur traders survived in the wilderness, and try some modern day camping skills. Try starting a fire with flint and steel, or roasting cranberry bannock over the campfire.


The 2012 Prospera Valley GranFondo

July 22

The 2012 Prospera Valley Gran Fondo 
The 2012 Prospera Valley Gran Fondo
© Parks Canada 

The largest mass-participation cycling event the Fraser Valley of BC has ever seen – make this your “must do” cycling event! Wouldn’t you love to cross the finish line at Fort Langley NHS and enjoy a First Nations feast and festivities after the race? For info or to register, visit www.ValleyGranFondo.com.


Ride into History

July 27-29

Ride into History
Ride into History
© Gateway of Hope

The Ride into History is a Celebration of Motorcycling and the History of BC at The Fort. The Rally will include a great ride, great food, and great times, all to support a great cause. 


Brigade Days

August 4-6: 9 am – 5 pm

Watch the arrival of the fur brigade 
Watch the arrival of the fur brigade
© Parks Canada 

Join HBC workers, Aboriginal traders, and trappers as they swap stories, play music, and show off traditional skills. The weekend features a large period encampment, and the “Arrival of the Fur Brigades” canoe re-enactment at 1 pm Monday. As part of Parks Canada’s 2012 Bicentennial of the War of 1812, hear the behind-the-scenes politics that led to Fort Langley’s establishment and led to the building of the Canadian nation.


Prospera Cinema Under the Stars

August 10: at dusk

Prospera Cinema Under the Stars 
Imagine watching an outdoor movie at Fort Langley National Historic Site. 
© Parks Canada

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs at dusk and enjoy an outdoor movie on the BIG SCREEN inside Fort Langley National Historic Site! The show is sponsored by Prospera and the proceeds will go toward the charity "Big Brothers Big Sisters." More details to follow.


Fab Forts Day

August 18: 9 am – 5 pm

Fire the cannon and shoot the muskets!  
Fire the cannon and shoot the muskets!
© Parks Canada 

Celebrate the building of a nation as Fort Langley blows off a cannon and fires historic weapons in memory of the War of 1812 two hundred years ago. Canadian forces and veterans receive complimentary entry for this event.


Fort Farm Fest

September 1-2: 9 am – 5 pm

Watch sheep shearing and feed the animals 
Watch sheep shearing and feed the animals
© Parks Canada 

Explore the heritage garden and feed the farm animals at this authentic Hudson’s Bay Company fort. Built in 1827, Fort Langley’s workers operated a 2000-acre farm. Watch our cooper make a barrel, the container of choice for exporting butter and potatoes. Compete in the farm relay and watch farm-related demos.


Cranberry Festival

October 6

Stock up on cranberries at the festival in Fort Langley
Stock up on cranberries at the festival in Fort Langley
© Parks Canada

Pick up some fresh cranberries for your Thanksgiving feast and browse over 100 vendors in the village of Fort Langley’s biggest event of the year! At Fort Langley National Historic Site, watch a barrel-making demonstration, try cranberry bannock, play the cranberry toss, and more.


Thanksgiving Dinner

October 8: 1 pm & 3 pm

Join us for a Thanksgiving Feast at the Full Barrel Café and leave the cooking up to us!


Grave Tales

October Weekends

Grave Tales are back, get your ticket in advance
Grave Tales are back, get your ticket in advance
© Parks Canada

Spine-chilling tales of love, mysterious burials and old-school amputations of Fort Langley’s past depicted at night by our expert storytellers, will leave you spell-bound as you weave through the village from the misty cemetery to the deserted Hudson’s Bay Company fort.

Advance tickets recommended for this popular event! Pass holders save 20%.


Halloween Event

Dates and details TBA


Douglas Day

November 17: 10 am – 5 pm

Steel drum band and re-enactment of the Proclamation of the Colony of British Columbia at Douglas Day.
Steel drum band and re-enactment of the Proclamation of the Colony of British Columbia at Douglas Day. 
© Parks Canada

Join the Fort Langley Legacy Foundation, Parks Canada, and the Guyanese Canadian Cultural Association of BC in celebrating the Guyanese roots of James Douglas, British Columbia’s first governor. Experience the warmth of the Caribbean. Taste delicious food, watch cultural dancing, hear a steel drum band perform and sign the giant copy of the proclamation at BC’s birthplace.


A Fort Langley Christmas Carol

December 8: 5 – 9 pm

Enjoy carolling around the bonfire
Enjoy carolling around the bonfire
© Parks Canada

A magical community event including caroling and Christmas tree lightings and Santa – watch for more details!


Heritage Holiday at Fort Langley

December 22, 2012 to January 6, 2013: 10 am – 5 pm (closed December 25 & 26, 2012 and January 1, 2013)

Bring out of town guests and enjoy the festive atmosphere
Bring out of town guests and enjoy the festive atmosphere
© Parks Canada

Relax with family or out-of-town guests at fascinating Fort Langley!