/EINPresswire.com/ -- VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - May 24, 2017) - Canada Place at the Port of Vancouver announced today that its year-long celebrations for Canada 150 will include a new event to recognize Multiculturalism Day. In addition, this year's Canada Day event will span across two days for the first time.

Canada Place, in partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Port of Vancouver, will present UNITE! on June 27 on the North Point. UNITE! will feature Juno and Latin Grammy award winner Alex Cuba, along with Canadian world music group, Delhi2Dublin, as co-headliners. To celebrate Canada's many communities and cultures, the stage will feature world-class dancers and drummers throughout the day, and attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and interactive experiences around the site.

Canada Place will also present a National Aboriginal celebration featuring Crystal Shawanda on June 17th, and Fête Francophone on June 24, honouring Francophone culture.

"We have an incredible line-up of free events to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of our country's Confederation," said Gillian Behnke, community relations and communications manager at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. "With our expanded Canada Day at Canada Place celebrations, we are thrilled to offer so many activities this year for our community to come together and recognize the sesquicentennial."

The Canada Day at Canada Place festivities will feature five performance stages on July 1 starring headliner and rock singer-songwriter Sam Roberts, alongside Fefe Dobson, Hey Ocean!, Dragonette, Emerson Drive, Madeline Merlo and The Matinee, among others. Free and family-friendly programming will include a citizenship ceremony welcoming 150 new Canadians, a Kids' Zone and a fireworks show on July 1, as well as a pancake breakfast and the Canada 150 Parade in Vancouver on July 2.

"As we mark Canada 150, this year's celebrations are going to be more exciting than ever," said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. "Canada Day and Canadian Multiculturalism Day in Vancouver will be excellent opportunities for Canadians to celebrate our country, our values and our diversity. I invite Vancouverites and visitors alike to join in the festivities and show the world everything that makes our country special during this once-in-a-lifetime anniversary."

"Canada 150 provides Canadians with a chance to celebrate important parts of our country's rich history and heritage, such as our diversity and our commitment to democracy, equality and mutual respect," said the Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament (Vancouver Centre). "It will be a year to remember, so let's join our friends and neighbours this June and July to celebrate everything that makes this country great!"

Following Canada Day, Canada Place will launch its summer series of free programming at the newly renovated North Point of the facility, including Monday evening Zumba® classes, Waterfront Cinema on Thursday nights and Picnics on the Point each Friday. The Canada150 at Canada Place events are presented by Port of Vancouver and made possible thanks to the generous support of partners including CIBC, Canadian Forces, Coast Capital Savings, Hong Kong Airlines, Safeway, TD, Air North, Vancouver Convention Centre, Westpark, Seaspan, City of Vancouver, West Vancouver, Parks Canada, Steam Whistle Brewing, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver 24 Hrs, Global BC, Rock 101, CKNW, CFOX, CTV, QMFM, Virgin, CBC/Radio-Canada, 937 JRfm, The Peak, OMNI and CHMB.

For additional information on the Canada 150 celebrations visit: www.canadaplace.ca.

About Canada Place Corporation

Canada Place at the Port of Vancouver is an internationally-recognized landmark and venue for world-class events and inspirationally Canadian experiences. For the last 31 years Canada Place has served as a hub for national celebrations, including National Aboriginal Day and Canada Day at Canada Place.

Canada Place is also homeport to the Vancouver-Alaska cruises, and houses Vancouver Convention Centre East, Pan Pacific Hotel, FlyOver Canada, World Trade Centre and WestPark. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority manages the Port of Vancouver and is the owner and operator of the Canada Place.