Bright Nights’ Homecoming: Surrey’s Beloved Holiday Light Display Returns
“A sparkle restored — Bright Nights returns to its roots, marking a fresh chapter in Surrey’s festive traditions.”
Opening Summary
Surrey is gearing up for a festive revival. After more than 25 years at Stanley Park, the beloved Bright Nights light display is returning home. From November 28 to December 28, 2025, the show will be a central feature of the Noel Holiday Light Festival at Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Organizers expect nearly three million lights, tens of thousands of visitors, and renewed community energy — all while continuing to raise funds for burn survivors through the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund (City of Surrey).
Background & Context: Why This Matters
The tradition of Bright Nights began in the mid-1980s, when Surrey residents Bob Wingfield and Marg Barrett, together with local firefighters, built an elaborate Christmas light display at their home in Newton. It drew crowds annually and raised money for burn survivors at Vancouver General Hospital. In 1997, the pair donated their collection to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, and Bright Nights was relocated to Stanley Park, where it became a staple of Vancouver’s holiday season for over a quarter-century (BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund).
Moving back to Surrey has both symbolic and logistical implications. Symbolically, it’s a homecoming, restoring the display to its birthplace. Logistically, the Cloverdale Fairgrounds offer new possibilities for scale, visitor experience, and community access. Surrounded by local parks, more parking infrastructure, and the opportunity to integrate with Surrey’s broader Noel Holiday Light Festival, the move can amplify visibility and local impact.
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Behind the Scenes: Key Players, Challenges & Motivations
Unsung Heroes & Organisers
- Over 800 firefighters, whose thousands of volunteer hours help build, maintain, and operate the display.
- The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, which channels proceeds to burn survivors, including funding for Home Away at the Burn Fund Centre.
- Local government leaders like Mayor Brenda Locke, and figures such as Fire Captain Todd Schierling, who have pushed to restore this tradition in Surrey.
Motivations
- Reinforcing community identity: locals fondly remember the early home version of Bright Nights; the return taps into nostalgia and civic pride.
- Economic & cultural development: pairing Bright Nights with the Noel Festival positions Surrey as a winter destination for families and visitors.
- Philanthropy: every ticket supports the Burn Fund, with special programs ensuring access for low-income families.
Challenges
- Scale & logistics: Moving from Stanley Park to Cloverdale means rethinking crowd management, traffic flow, parking, and safety.
- Maintaining authenticity: Keeping beloved elements intact while expanding or changing location.
- Financial sustainability: Covering light installations, staffing, and utilities despite strong volunteerism.
Comparing Similar Events & Insights
| Event | Location | Scale | Purpose / Fundraising | Community Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bright Nights (Stanley Park) | Vancouver | >25 years duration, large tourist draw | Burn Fund support | Beloved regional tradition |
| Noel Holiday Light Festival + Bright Nights | Surrey (2025) | Nearly 3 million lights, indoor/outdoor | Same Burn Fund | Boost to Cloverdale, broader community access |
By comparison, several holiday light festivals in North America — from Toronto’s Cavalcade of Lights to New York’s Brooklyn Botanic Garden Lightscape — have shifted toward immersive, festival-style experiences. Surrey’s plan follows this trend, pairing dazzling displays with local markets and rides to create a multi-sensory destination.
Impacts: Short- and Long-Term
Short-Term
- Economic lift for local restaurants, vendors, hotels, and transit services.
- Community engagement through volunteerism and school partnerships.
- Tourism boost at a seasonally slow time.
Long-Term
- Reinforces Surrey’s identity as a cultural hub, encouraging future public art and event investment.
- Generates sustained support for burn survivors through consistent fundraising.
- Poses new challenges such as environmental impact and the need for ongoing innovation.
Public Sentiment & What’s Missing
Local residents express both excitement and curiosity: Will parking be enough? Will ticket prices stay accessible? While existing coverage celebrates the move, it often misses the behind-the-scenes infrastructure work and long-term economic planning that will define the event’s success.
Takeaway
Bright Nights coming home is more than a location change — it’s a reinvigoration of community, philanthropy, and place. Surrey now has a chance not just to resurrect a holiday tradition, but to redefine what a modern winter festival can be: inclusive, sustainably scaled, and rooted in local pride.
