There is a particular kind of Christmas outing that works best with small children: it is short, it involves a vehicle, and Santa is on it. In Surrey, that outing is the Christmas Train at Bear Creek Park. By day it is a cheerful ride with Santa, a craft and a treat. After dark it turns into a lights-and-Grinch ride through the park.
The park’s miniature train has been running seasonal rides for years, and the Christmas Train has become a December regular for families across Metro Vancouver. The 2026 season has not been announced, so this guide covers how the 2025 Christmas Train worked and where to look for the new details.
Bear Creek Christmas Train: Quick Facts
| What it is | Two holiday train rides: a Day Train with Santa and a Night Train with the Grinch |
| Where | Bear Creek Park Train & Mini-Golf, 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey |
| 2025 Day Train | December 1 to 31, daily, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last train 4:45 PM), closed December 25 |
| 2025 Night Train | December 3 to 28, Wednesday to Sunday, 6:00 to 9:00 PM (last train 8:45 PM) |
| 2025 price | $12.50 per person for ages 2 and up, free for children under 2 |
| 2026 dates and prices | Not announced yet |
| Parking | Free on-site parking (2025) |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible, Access 2 cards accepted (2025) |
| Official site | bctrains.com |
What Is the Bear Creek Park Christmas Train?
The Christmas Train is a seasonal event at Bear Creek Park Train & Mini-Golf, a miniature train attraction in Surrey’s Bear Creek Park. In December 2025 it offered two separate rides:
- A Day Train for young families, with Santa, a craft station and a treat for each child.
- A Night Train through illuminated holiday scenes, with light tunnels, seasonal displays and a meet-and-greet with the Grinch.
The two rides have different schedules and different ticketing rules, which matters when you plan a visit. They are described separately below.
When Is the Christmas Train in 2026?
As of mid-October 2026, the Christmas Train schedule has not been posted. The park’s official site currently lists its Halloween events, and the park’s contact details are on the site for Christmas questions. For reference, here is how the 2025 season worked:
- Day Train: December 1 to 31, 2025, seven days a week.
- Night Train: December 3 to 28, 2025, Wednesday through Sunday.
- Closures: December 25 was closed all day. The Night Train was closed on December 24 and December 31.
Weekdays shift from year to year. December 1, 2026 is a Tuesday, so a Wednesday-to-Sunday Night Train pattern would start on a different date than it did last year. Confirm every date before you plan.
Day Train: Santa, Crafts and a Treat
The Day Train was the gentler option, aimed at young families.
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last train leaving at 4:45 PM.
- Schedule: open seven days a week from December 1 to 31, 2025.
- What is included: a Christmas-themed train ride through a decorated section of the park, a visit with Santa, a holiday craft station and a festive treat for each child.
- Tickets: in person only. There was no online booking for the Day Train.
- December 24: open until Santa leaves on the last train at 4:45 PM.
- December 25: closed.
- December 31: the Day Train was open, and the Night Train was closed.
Because Day Train tickets are sold in person, arrive early on busy days, especially weekends and the week before Christmas.
Night Train: Lights and the Grinch
The Night Train ran after dark, when the park’s lights were on.
- Dates: December 3 to 28, 2025, Wednesday through Sunday.
- Hours: 6:00 to 9:00 PM, with the last train leaving at 8:45 PM.
- What you get: an evening ride through illuminated holiday scenes, decorative light tunnels, seasonal displays and a meet-and-greet with the Grinch.
- Tickets: online tickets with priority entry were available. Walk-up tickets might be available if the evening was not sold out.
- Closures: December 24 evening, all day December 25, and December 31.
If you want the Night Train, book online as soon as tickets are released, since walk-up availability depends on capacity.
Prices and Ticket Rules
- 2025 price: $12.50 per person for ages 2 and up.
- Under 2: free.
- Refunds: all tickets were non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Prices for 2026 are not yet published. Check the official site for the current rate before you go, and note that the park’s Halloween Night Train is priced differently from the Christmas one.
Weather: What Could Cancel a Ride
The Christmas Train is weather dependent. Warm temperatures, heavy rain or other unexpected conditions can cause cancellations. Before you leave home, check the event page or email the park to confirm your ride is running. This matters most for the Night Train if you have booked a time slot.
Accessibility and Parking
- Accessibility: the 2025 listing said the attraction was wheelchair accessible and accepted Access 2 cards.
- Parking: free on-site parking was available in 2025.
Confirm both when the 2026 information is released, since they can change from year to year.
Tips for Visiting
- Pick the right train for your kids. The Day Train is the easier choice for toddlers and preschoolers. The Night Train is the one for lights and the Grinch.
- Arrive early for the Day Train. Tickets are in person only, so busy days can fill up.
- Book the Night Train online. Priority entry is worth it, especially on weekends.
- Dress for a damp forest. December in Surrey is cold and wet, and the park is a forest setting, so waterproof shoes help.
- Check before you drive. Heavy rain and unusually warm weather can cancel rides.
- Plan the rest of the day. Check what else is open at Bear Creek Park on your date, and confirm the length of the ride with the park.
How to Get Updates for 2026
The Christmas Train details have not been published yet. The park’s website, bctrains.com, is the best place to check, and you can contact Bear Creek Park Train & Mini-Golf at contact@bctrains.com or 604-501-1232 with questions.
More Christmas in Surrey
Bear Creek Park is home to more than the train. In November, the park lights up for the free Bear Creek Lights walk (November 6 to 20). Elsewhere in Surrey:
- Noël Surrey with Bright Nights in Cloverdale, from November 27.
- The Surrey Tree Lighting Festival, November 21 and 22, with free Santa photos.
- Victorian Christmas Evening at Historic Stewart Farm, December 5.
For a full-size train with Santa aboard, see the North Pole Express in Squamish. Every Santa visit this season is in where to see Santa in Vancouver.
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026 › Where to See Santa in Vancouver 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Bear Creek Christmas Train start in 2026?
The 2026 Christmas Train dates have not been announced. In 2025 the Day Train ran from December 1 to 31 and the Night Train from December 3 to 28.
How much are tickets?
In 2025, tickets were $12.50 per person for ages 2 and up, and children under 2 were free. The 2026 price has not been published.
Can I buy tickets online?
In 2025, Night Train tickets could be bought online with priority entry, and Day Train tickets were sold in person only.
Is the Night Train suitable for young kids?
The 2025 Night Train was described as a family-friendly evening experience with light displays and a Grinch meet-and-greet. Check with the park if you have a specific concern about very young children.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
The 2025 listing said it was wheelchair accessible and accepted Access 2 cards.
Is there parking?
Free on-site parking was available in 2025.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The train is weather dependent, and warm temperatures, heavy rain or other conditions may cause cancellations. Check the event page or email the park before you go.
Can I get a refund?
In 2025, all tickets were non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Where is it?
Bear Creek Park Train & Mini-Golf, 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey.
Sources: Bear Creek Park Train & Mini-Golf.
