British Columbia

Canada Day: 3 free music events in the Lower Mainland

Lots of great Canadian music from lots of genres — and an '80s legend to boot — will be free to hear on July 1.

Country to orchestral, indie to jazz: you'll have lots of options come July 1

If you're in Surrey, Tom Cochrane will be playing a free show with Red Rider at the Cloverdale Amphitheater on Canada Day. (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)

If you want to make music a part of your Canada Day celebrations this year, On The Coast music columnist Andrea Warner says you've got options.

Country stars, Canadian rock legends, electronic indie upstarts, jazz luminaries, an entire symphony will be available at some point on July 1.

Here are some of Warner's highlights for Canada Day.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

"They have a huge lineup at Granville Island. The shows start at noon at four different stages and the programming at Performance Works goes all the way until 9:30 p.m. PT when Laila Biali performs."

Sheena Easton at Canada Place

"Canada Place's celebration is '80s themed in honour of Expo 86's 30th anniversary.

Sheena was actually so huge in the '80s, but our memories are kind of short. She'll also be joined by Barney Bentall and country musician Aaron Pritchett and Halifax's Mo Kenney, who is the best."

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in Whistler

"The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will be performing two concerts, totally different programs in the afternoon and evening. I think it would be pretty amazing to see a symphony play outdoors under the looming mountains. It's a pretty unique Canadian experience."

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast