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All aboard! Stanley Park's Bright Nights Christmas train back on track for 2021

It's one of the most magical holiday mini-adventures in Vancouver, back after a two-year pandemic pause.
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The illuminated Bright Nights Christmas Train will roll once again for the holidays in Vancouver's Stanley Park

The jolliest train ride in Vancouver is back on track for the 2021 holiday season, as the 24th annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park gears up to open on Nov. 26.

The "Christmas Train" is resuming service for all merry-makers after a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the festive family-friendly train event will be rolling until Jan. 2, 2022.

It's one of the most magical holiday mini-adventures in Vancouver, as the Bright Nights Christmas Train chugs merrily around in Stanley Park; the train and plaza will be sparkling with millions of lights, offering an immersive illuminated experience like no other. 

The event doubles as a fundraiser for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Vancouver's park board has donated more than $1.5 million to the Burn Fund since the event partnership began in 1998.

Already, volunteers are getting to work on dreaming up this year's enchanting train ride and all the special displays.

“We are thrilled to return to Stanley Park to create a magical experience that families across the Lower Mainland can enjoy. Bright Nights is an event that our burn survivor and fire fighter community look forward to every year and we can’t wait to welcome the public back to the event,” says Ray Boucher, Vice President, BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, in a media release.

Tickets for Bright Nights in Stanley Park are now available for purchase online. Due to capacity restrictions, guests must show their train tickets to enter the park and will board the train in their specified time slot. Please note that all guests are required to purchase a ticket to access the site this year (children 2 and under are free). Tickets will be available online only; no onsite ticket sales will be offered this year.

Although proof of vaccination is not required at this time, masks are recommended. The train has been fitted with plexiglass dividers between the benches.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park

When: Nov. 26, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022

Where: Stanley Park Railway, Vancouver

Tickets: Must be purchased in advance online; no onsite ticket sales