Every April, millions of Sikhs world-wide celebrate Vaisakhi Day, a day that marks the New Year. Considered one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar, parades celebrating the event are held in Sikh communities around the world. The largest Vaisakhi Parade in the world occurs in Surrey, where approximately 500,000 people attend the annual Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade.
This year the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The parade will begin at approximately 9:30am at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, and will conclude there at approximately 4pm. To facilitate parade activities, area residents and businesses should be aware of: Road Closures, Traffic Disruptions, Restrictions to Access, Temporary Parking Restrictions.
The City of Surrey announced that traffic controls will start at 7:30am and last until approximately 5pm.
Access to 128 Street and road sections along the parade route will be impacted most significantly. Increased delays may be expected for travel through and within the area between 72 Avenue to 88 Avenue, and Scott Road to King George Boulevard. Please plan your routes accordingly.
Residents do not need a permit to pass through the closed area. In order to streamline the process and eliminate extra work for residents, residents in the affected area will need to show their BC Driver’s License and the officials at the checkpoints (at intersections) will let them through as long as the address on their BC Driver’s License is in the affected area.
Please update your address with ICBC if you have recently moved.
Business access letters and parking passes are only available to businesses affected by the parade route. Apply at RCMP’s District 3 Office at 7235 137 Street Surrey, Monday – Friday (not including stat holidays) from 9am to 5pm.
To request a business parking pass you must provide the following:
business name and location
proof of employment (like a badge, employee ID, or letter of employment)
BC ID
“If you plan to have a performance stage or provide food service, these activities must be on your property. The use of City road and/or sidewalks is not permitted. The property owner must accept all responsibility and liability for the stage and food services operation, ensuring that the activities are operated in a safe manner, and have all necessary permits and approvals,” said the city.
The City is also reminding residents and visitors that the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade is a No Drone Zone. Transport Canada safety rules prohibit flying drones close to people, buildings, and areas where aircraft take off and land (airport, heliports, aerodromes). If you are a recreational drone operator and do not follow the rules, you could face fines of up to $3,000. All non-recreational drone operators need permission to fly.
