Bright Nights Returns to Surrey: 9 Things to Know for 2026
Updated: 3 hours ago
Good news for anyone who grew up with Bright Nights: the lights are staying in Surrey. After a successful first year together in 2025, Noël Surrey and the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund have signed a new multi-year partnership. That makes Bright Nights a permanent part of Surrey's largest holiday festival for years to come.
Nearly three million lights return to the Cloverdale Fairgrounds from November 27 to December 29, 2026. Whether you've been coming since the '80s or this is your first visit, here are 9 things to know before you go.
9 things to know about Bright Nights at Noël Surrey
1. It started on a Surrey front lawn
Bright Nights began in the mid-1980s with Surrey residents Bob Wingfield and Marg Barrett. Their spectacular home light display drew crowds and raised money for burn survivors. The display later moved to Stanley Park, where it became a Vancouver holiday staple for years. Now it's back in the city where it all started.
2. It's here for 2026 and beyond
Noël Surrey and the Burn Fund have announced a new multi-year partnership. Bright Nights isn't a one-off visit anymore. It's an anchor of the festival for years to
come, so you can make it part of your family's holiday tradition.
3. Your ticket helps burn survivors
Bright Nights is the Burn Fund's largest annual fundraiser, and a portion of every Noël Surrey ticket goes directly to the Burn Fund. That money supports survivor programs and retreats, accommodations for survivors and their families, and better care at BC's trauma hospitals.
The giving goes further, too. Noël Surrey works with local school districts to provide tickets to low-income families, so more kids get to see the lights.
4. Firefighters build it by hand
Nearly three million lights, put up with thousands of volunteer hours by more than 1,100 local firefighters. The display wraps around the pond at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, creating a light walk you can wander at your own pace. Look out for fan favourites like the vintage fire truck and the tunnel of lights, and bring your camera for both.
5. You'll meet them every night
Firefighters volunteer at Bright Nights every night of the festival. They welcome families, hand out candy canes and accept donations that go straight to Burn Fund programs. Kids love it, and it's a great chance to say thanks.
6. It's more accessible than ever
The Bright Nights Light Walk now has an accessible path for guests with mobility needs. New sensory-friendly nights on Tuesday, December 1 and Tuesday, December 8 offer reduced noise and a calmer environment. The whole site is wheelchair accessible, and Access2 Cards are accepted.
7. There's a 30,000 sq-ft heated village
When you need to warm up, head inside the Noël Village. It's a heated, 30,000 sq-ft indoor venue with kids' activities, the Winter Spice Kitchen, the Candy Cane Slide and live entertainment. Local food trucks and fully licensed bars serving holiday drinks round out the night.
8. Santa has a brand-new barn
New for 2026, Santa's Snow Barn adds 9,000 sq-ft of heated indoor space. It's home to photos with Santa and an expanded Christmas Market with more than 20 local vendors. Get a head start on your holiday shopping while you warm up.
9. One ticket covers everything
No add-ons, no upsells. Your ticket includes:
Bright Nights and all festival attractions
Photos with Santa
Meet and greets and photos with holiday characters
Crafts, face painting and balloon art
Live music and entertainment
Unlimited rides on the 50-ft Ferris wheel and the Candy Cane Slide
Parking
Kids 6 and under? Totally free.
Plan your visit
Dates: November 27 to December 29, 2026
Closed: November 30, December 7, December 24 and December 25
Hours: 3 pm to 9:30 pm, with timed entry every 30 minutes
Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey, BC
Tickets: Youth and seniors from $18, adults from $24 (prices vary by date)
Kids 6 and under: Free
Groups of 20+: 10% off automatically at checkout
Most weekends sold out last year. To get your ideal date and timeslot, book early.
Be part of the magic of Bright Nights this year, and help keep a Surrey tradition shining for burn survivors across BC.
