Expo 86 opened on May 2, 1986, and its impact on Vancouver's cityscape and culture remains highly visible. On the 40th anniversary of the fair that changed Vancouver forever, here's a collection of historic photos from the fair and the buildup to it.
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Canada Place Vancouver Canada Place was constructed to be the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86. Queen Elizabeth II attended a ceremonial concrete pour to start construction in 1983 and then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana helped cut the ribbon when the expo opened. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)
Canada Place Vancouver Canada Place was constructed to be the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86. Queen Elizabeth II attended a ceremonial concrete pour to start construction in 1983 and then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana helped cut the ribbon when the expo opened. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)
Canada Place Vancouver Canada Place was constructed to be the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86. Queen Elizabeth II attended a ceremonial concrete pour to start construction in 1983 and then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana helped cut the ribbon when the expo opened. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)
Canada Place Vancouver Canada Place was constructed to be the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86. Queen Elizabeth II attended a ceremonial concrete pour to start construction in 1983 and then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana helped cut the ribbon when the expo opened. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)
Canada Place Vancouver Canada Place was constructed to be the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86. Queen Elizabeth II attended a ceremonial concrete pour to start construction in 1983 and then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana helped cut the ribbon when the expo opened. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)
Canada Place Vancouver Canada Place was constructed to be the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86. Queen Elizabeth II attended a ceremonial concrete pour to start construction in 1983 and then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana helped cut the ribbon when the expo opened. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)
Science World Expo 86 Originally intended to be a temporary structure, Science World was known as the Expo Centre during Expo 86. It reopened as a science museum in 1989 after a $19-million renovation campaign. (Science World)
Science World Expo 86 Originally intended to be a temporary structure, Science World was known as the Expo Centre during Expo 86. It reopened as a science museum in 1989 after a $19-million renovation campaign. (Science World)
Science World Expo 86 Originally intended to be a temporary structure, Science World was known as the Expo Centre during Expo 86. It reopened as a science museum in 1989 after a $19-million renovation campaign. (Science World)
Science World Expo 86 Originally intended to be a temporary structure, Science World was known as the Expo Centre during Expo 86. It reopened as a science museum in 1989 after a $19-million renovation campaign. (Science World)
Science World Expo 86 Originally intended to be a temporary structure, Science World was known as the Expo Centre during Expo 86. It reopened as a science museum in 1989 after a $19-million renovation campaign. (Science World)
Science World Expo 86 Originally intended to be a temporary structure, Science World was known as the Expo Centre during Expo 86. It reopened as a science museum in 1989 after a $19-million renovation campaign. (Science World)
Vancouver SkyTrain Expo 86 Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit system was developed for Expo 86 and opened on Dec. 11, 1985, less than five months before the fair. (TransLink)
Vancouver SkyTrain Expo 86 Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit system was developed for Expo 86 and opened on Dec. 11, 1985, less than five months before the fair. (TransLink)
Vancouver SkyTrain Expo 86 Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit system was developed for Expo 86 and opened on Dec. 11, 1985, less than five months before the fair. (TransLink)
Vancouver SkyTrain Expo 86 Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit system was developed for Expo 86 and opened on Dec. 11, 1985, less than five months before the fair. (TransLink)
Expo 86 site map An official site map from Expo 86. (expomuseum.com / archive.org)
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
McBarge The Friendship 500, which housed a floating McDonald’s during Expo 86, seen in an image from the City of Vancouver archives.
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
Expo 86 May 2, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 86. Photos from the Vancouver Archives show the fair in progress. (Vancouver Archives)
