Bright Nights, VanDusen Festival of Lights are back
Posted October 25, 2021 11:46 am.
Last Updated October 25, 2021 11:47 am.
Two popular Vancouver holiday events are returning after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of in-person activities last year. The Bright Nights train will be up and running in Stanley Park and the VanDusen Festival of Lights will sparkle once again.
The family-friendly events went virtual in 2020/21, as did many local events, amid pandemic concerns and restrictions
Bright Nights
Tickets are now available online for this year’s Bright Nights event. Passengers must board the train during specified timeslots. The train will have plexiglass dividers between benches.
There won’t be a farmyard and the event won’t feature Santa sitting at his North Pole this year. However, there will be food and beverage trucks on site offering touchless payment.
The Vancouver Park Board says proof of vaccination is not required. Masks are recommended.
Bright Nights will run from Nov. 26, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022.
The event is also a fundraising event for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
Last month’s Stanley Park Ghost Train event was cancelled for the second straight year. The first cancellation was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 2021 event was called off due to a concerning number of coyote attacks happening at the park.
VanDusen Festival of Lights
VanDusen Botanical Garden is a favourite spot among Vancouverites for the perfect holiday photo. Sparkling displays will once again adorn the garden at the Festival of Lights, which was also held virtually in 2020/21.
One million lights will decorate the 15-acre garden. There will be limited activities, including Santa letter-writing for kids. However, there will be no pictures with the big guy in red and the carousel won’t be running.
Proof of full vaccination will be required to attend this event. Masks will be mandatory indoors at all times for everyone aged five and up, and recommended outdoors.
The event runs from Nov. 26, 2021 to Jan. 3, 2022.
Tickets go on sale Nov. 1.
Donations are being collected at the event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sales from glow star necklaces will also go to the charity.
