For a lot of Vancouverites, Christmas meant one particular thing: lining up in the cold in Stanley Park, climbing onto the little train and rolling through a forest full of lights while the Burn Fund’s firefighters collected donations at the gate. If you’re searching for the Bright Nights Train this year, here’s the straight answer and where to go instead.
Is the Bright Nights Train Running in 2026?
No. The train isn’t running in Stanley Park in 2026. It didn’t run in 2025 either, and its last season was 2024.
The good news is that neither the lights nor the forest have gone dark:
- The Bright Nights lights moved to Surrey. The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund now runs Bright Nights at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds as part of Noël Surrey, November 27 to December 29, 2026.
- The old train site has a new light walk. The historic Stanley Park Railway site at 690 Pipeline Road is now home to Astra Lumina, an illuminated night walk through the forest.
Where to Go Instead
Bright Nights at Noël Surrey (Cloverdale)
This is the direct successor. The Bright Nights light walk has millions of lights and light tunnels around a pond, and Noël adds a 50-foot Ferris wheel, the indoor Noël Village, a Christmas market and Santa. Kids 6 and under are free, youth and seniors are from $18 and adults from $24, and parking is included. Every ticket supports burn survivors across BC and the Yukon. See Bright Nights in Surrey and our full Noël Surrey 2026 guide.
Astra Lumina in Stanley Park
If what you miss is Stanley Park after dark, Astra Lumina is a timed-entry evening walk on the same forest site. It’s more of an art installation than a Christmas show, but it makes a good December night out. See Astra Lumina Vancouver.
Other Christmas Trains
Missing the train ride itself? The North Pole Express in Squamish is a full-size heritage train with Santa aboard, and the Bear Creek Park Christmas Train in Surrey runs Santa and Grinch rides on a miniature railway. The CPKC Holiday Train also rolls through the Lower Mainland with free concerts on December 19 and 20.
About the Bright Nights Tradition
Bright Nights goes back to the mid-1980s, when Surrey residents Bob Wingfield and Marg Barrett built a huge light display at their home and used it to raise money for burn survivors. Since 1997, thousands of professional firefighters have volunteered to put it on, and it remains the Burn Fund’s largest fundraiser of the year. For more than 25 years it ran in Stanley Park.
For every light display running this year, see Christmas lights in Vancouver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bright Nights Train running in 2026?
No. It isn’t running in Stanley Park in 2026.
When did it last run?
Its last season was 2024. It didn’t run in 2025.
Where is Bright Nights in 2026?
At the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey, November 27 to December 29, 2026, as part of Noël Surrey.
What’s at the old train site in Stanley Park?
Astra Lumina, an illuminated evening walk through the forest.
Is there another Christmas train near Vancouver?
Yes: the North Pole Express in Squamish and the Bear Creek Park Christmas Train in Surrey.
Will the Stanley Park train come back?
No return has been announced.
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026 › Christmas Lights in Vancouver 2026
