For nearly three decades, families across Metro Vancouver made Bright Nights in Stanley Park a cherished part of their holiday celebrations. With twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the famous miniature train ride, the annual event brought joy to children and adults alike.
But this year, after 27 years in Vancouver, the long-standing tradition is taking a new turn. Bright Nights is leaving its original home and moving to Surrey.
Organizers and city officials have confirmed that while Vancouver can no longer host the event, the holiday spirit is not fading away. Instead, a new tradition will begin in a fresh location.
The decision comes after ongoing issues with the Stanley Park Miniature Train, which has been out of service due to persistent safety and reliability concerns. The train was a major feature of Bright Nights, and without it, organizers faced challenges keeping the event alive in its original setting.
With the train indefinitely stalled, the B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund, which hosts the fundraiser, decided to seek a new home. The move ensures the charity’s biggest annual event can continue to raise money and bring joy during the holiday season.
Surrey’s mayor, Brenda Locke, has confirmed that the city will now host Bright Nights. The exact location will be announced at a press conference, but community discussions suggest Cloverdale Fairgrounds is the leading option.
Cloverdale has experience hosting large-scale holiday events, including the Noel Surrey Festival, making it a strong candidate. Another possibility is Bear Creek Park, which already has its own miniature train, echoing the experience Stanley Park once offered.
Wherever it lands, the excitement is building for Surrey to carry forward this much-loved tradition.
Beyond the lights and festive cheer, Bright Nights has always served a bigger purpose. It is the largest annual fundraiser for the B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund, an organization that helps burn survivors and supports fire prevention programs across the province.
For firefighters, Bright Nights isn’t just about holiday fun — it’s about community, compassion, and giving back. Over the years, the event has raised millions of dollars to support life-saving work.
The move to Surrey, organizers say, ensures that this important fundraising effort will continue.
For many families, Bright Nights has been more than just an outing — it’s been a holiday ritual. Parents who once rode the Stanley Park train as children now bring their own kids to experience the magic.
The shift to Surrey may bring some sadness to those who hold memories of Vancouver’s version, but it also opens up a new opportunity. Families in Surrey and nearby communities will now have easier access to the event, and new memories will be created in its new home.
As one parent put it, “It may not be Stanley Park anymore, but the magic of Bright Nights is the people, the lights, and the giving spirit. That can shine anywhere.”
The official details of the new location and setup will be revealed soon. What is clear, though, is that Bright Nights is not ending — it is evolving.
The organizers hope that the community will embrace the move and continue to support the Burn Fund, ensuring the holiday lights shine just as brightly in Surrey as they did in Vancouver.
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