Carillon Recital

The Netherlands Centennial Carillon was a gift from British Columbia’s Dutch community to honour Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967. It is housed at the top of the tower, which stands 27 metres (90 feet) tall. This carillon, the largest in Canada, has 62 bells. To play, a musician has to climb the 75 steps of the spiral staircase and then a 10-step ladder to sit at the clavier. There, the carilloneur depresses the clavier’s keys and pedals to sound the bells and play a song that rings out over the inner harbour.
Free recitals are usually held at 3:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer, and on Sundays during the rest of the year, weather permitting, by provincial carilloneur Rosemary Laing.