Langley parties for Queen\u2019s birthday<\/p>\n
Published 6:00 pm Monday, May 11, 2026<\/p>\n
The public can take part in a tradition that started back in 1922.<\/p>\n
Langley is one of the few communities that holds a sizable May Day celebration. May Day marks the birthday of Queen Victoria and occurs on the third Monday of May.<\/p>\n
The annual May Day festivities in Fort Langley are on May 18.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a service to the community,\u201d said Wendy Canessa, organizer with the Fort Langley Lions. \u201cWe\u2019re in our 104th iteration of it. And people expect it and look forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The free event brings together local musical talent, the public and vendors for a day of community. The event typically attracts 3,000 to 5,000 people.<\/p>\n
Organizers encourage people to take a few steps to make the day more comfortable, including bringing lawn chairs, blankets, and umbrellas (whether it\u2019s rain or shine) for both the parade and the Family Fun Festival in the park.<\/p>\n
The day starts with a good breakfast, cooked up by the Fort Langley Lions. It\u2019s $8 cash and available at the Lion Hall, Glover Road and 88 Avenue, between 8 and 10:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
Fueled up, people can then make their way to a prime viewing spot along the parade route. The parade, which feature a variety of groups including the volunteers of the B.C. Farm Museum on vintage tractors, tour several Fort Langley Streets. The route starts on Mary Avenue (not Mavis as in the past) and finishes at Fort Langley Park.<\/p>\n
Anyone involved in the parade is asked to check in with organizers near the Lions Hall between 8 and 10:30 a.m. so they are in position for the parade. They are then put in order on side streets. Canessa said people can still sign up for the parade.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will take people right up until the last minute,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
There will be road closures between 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to allow for the parade and other festivities.<\/p>\n
The parade starts at 11 a.m. and this year features about 50 entries so far, including more horses than in the past.<\/p>\n
After the parade, people can make their way to Fort Langley Park on Nash Street for an afternoon of activities. The festival includes live entertainment; kids activities; barbecue chicken, hotdogs and fries; food trucks, and vendors. Unique to Langley is the pageant that was recently held for the May Queen & Her Royal Party. They will be present that day.<\/p>\n
And people can see a heritage activity that takes place in few communities anymore \u2013 May Pole Dancing done by local elementary school children. May poles are a European tradition dating back centuries with the dancing done to celebrate spring, growth and the arrival of summer.<\/p>\n