Some of my favourite memories from Christmas time when I was a little kid involved packing into the car, all bundled in our warmest winter clothing, and driving to Stanley Park so that we could ride the Christmas train. I loved it. All of the twinkling lights everywhere, my mom had hot chocolate in a thermos for us to help keep us warm, and of course the whistle sounding from the train. Going to Bright Nights in Stanley Park is an annual tradition for many.
We are now entering our third Christmas with our own children, and the tradition is continuing. We will be heading out to Bright Nights in Stanley Park to see all the lights again this year. I cannot wait, it will be our youngest first Christmas, and first time going to this. I’m certain the lights are going to be getting her attention. It is the 18th year of Bright Nights. What I cannot believe is that they just had the Halloween train end a few weeks ago, and they are going to be ready at the end of this month with over 3 million lights all set and ready to go. It takes a lot of help to set everything up, but oh does it ever look incredible. Each year the train has a different theme, I’ve seen everything from Charlier Brown to Frosty and Friends. I cannot wait to discover what the theme is for this year.
If this is something you are wanting to check out here are the event details:
Event Dates:
November 26, 2015 – January 2, 2016
Event Times:
Nov 26 – Dec 17: Mon-Thurs: 3pm – 10pm / Fri-Sun: 10am – 11pm
Dec 18 – Dec 27: Everyday: 10am – 11pm
Dec 28 – Jan 2: Everyday: 10am – 10pm
Matinee Trains run 10am – 2:30pm Fri-Sun and daily from Dec 18-27. Closed Christmas Day, December 25, 2015 Free Parking! Donations accepted at the front gate benefit the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Suggested donation is $4 per person.
Ticket Prices:
Adult (18 – 64 years) $11
Child and youth (3 – 17 years) $8
Small child (2 years and under) Free
Senior (65 years and over) $8
Matinee (All ages) $6
We have been provided with tickets for a group of 4 individuals to get to go ride the Bright Nights train. If you would like to attend this annual tradition, enter through the rafflecopter giveaway below.
I’ve never been!! Our tradition is walking the neighbourhood after dinner and checking out all of the lights and coming home to hot chocolate!
What? No way? Oh Louise, you’d love it. So many lights, so many great photo opportunities. I am so looking forward to walking the neighbourhood this year with the girls.
I’ve been to Bright Nights once many years ago. My favourite Christmas tradition would be decorating the house and Christmas morning!
Definitely time to head back Laura! I love Christmas morning. I also love Christmas evening, just sitting back with a cup of tea and taking it all in.
Would love to win this! It’s one of our traditions!
It’s a great tradition to have.
I go every year with my daughter and it is my favorite tradition!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who has this as a yearly tradition!
Never been to Bright Nights, but would love to go:)
Oh Laura, you definitely need to go. You would love it.
We went last year with our daughter and she wasn’t too sure about it (especially the part through the tunnel!). She was only 11 months then. This year I’m sure she will be more of a fan! Love bright nights 🙂
I can remember the first time we took Evie, her eyes totally bugged out of her head. It’s so much better as they get older.
We haven’t been to the Bright Nights in Stanley park yet, but as for traditions we like to buy a new ornament with the year on it as a keepsake.
Oh I love that ornament idea, I may need to start doing that.
THIS is totally my favorite Christmas tradition!! We have been going ever since I was teeny and now I love that I bring my little ones. Its just so magical. Thank you for this opportunity! (And I too love discovering the theme each year:)
I’ve been going since I was little too… random thought, we must be about the same age?! You are very welcome for this opportunity. Best of luck to you.
Yes I have been.
I enjoy reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning
I haven’t been since I was a little kid but would love to start the tradition with my 2 year old. So far, our only “holiday tradition” is seeing Santa so I look forward to developing more as our family grows 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
We go to Bright Nights every year with the grandparents. We also love to go look at the light around the city and have popcorn and hot chocolate along the way
Last year we tried as many Christmas activities as possible since it was our first Christmas in Vancouver. This year Canyon Lights, Christmas at Hycroft and Bright Nights are tips on our list of activities to continue this year! We are so lucky in this city to have so many wonderful opportunities to enjoy the holidays with our families.
I have never been to bright lights! I was really hoping to make this our first year with our new little munchkin!
we would love this!
We go every year! My daughter loves it – probably her favorite Christmas activity
We have never been to Bright Nights before but now we have two little train fanatics who will love it! We just move out here last year from Manitoba and did not make it last Christmas but will definitely be going this year. We have also started the tradition (last year) of a Christmas Day hike since we can actually do that here! It helps justify eating all the yummy food!
My little guy would love bright nights!
Bright nights is such an amazing holiday tradition in Vancouver. I can just imagine you and your sister excitement on going. I miss you guys!
been to Bright Lights one time during a matinee which happens to be hubby’s 40th bday. really enjoyed the train ride and the barn..
We loved going last year and our new tradition is cutting down the tree out near Ft. Langley ☺️
My boys and I go every year too – a fun tradition!
I went to Bright Lights with DD when she as a year and a half. Now she is 6 1/2 and I would love to take her again. We love going out in the neighbourhood looking for the light displays, it’s one of our favourite parts of the season.
We have actually never been to Bright Nights before but I’m sure my 2 toddler boys would love it as they love trains! I guess one of our traditions is opening presents on Christmas morning in our pjs and taking family photos and videos of the kids opening their presents. So precious to see the excitement and joy in their eyes about the whole process 😉
We haven’t been but would love to. We love to drive around to see houses with lots of lights.