Guess what, Vancouver? The wildly popular (and mesmerizing) holiday train ride through Stanley Park is back this season, and tickets to the magical experience go on sale this week. So mark your calendars and set your alarms, because you don’t want to miss out on one of the city’s most iconic holiday attractions of the year – AKA the Bright Nights Train!

Festive train ride & light displays

According to the Vancouver Park Board, over 1,200 off-duty firefighters will help transform the Stanley Park Railway plaza into a magical forest illuminated by nearly three million Christmas lights.

In addition to its beloved train ride, there will be a handful of festive activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy, including photos with Santa, a mesmerizing tunnel of lights, and live entertainment.

In terms of food & drink, there will be plenty of churros, pretzels, chimney cakes, popcorn, and hot chocolate to enjoy!

bright nights train vancouver 2024
Photo via Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

Dates & info

Bright Nights will take place from Friday, November 29th to January 4th, with the holiday train operating daily from 4 pm to 10 pm.

Note that the train will be closed on December 25th.

When do tickets go on sale?

Tickets will be available via an online ticketing system through the Vancouver Park Board, with an online queue that opens at 11:30 am on Friday, November 8th. Those who want to snag their spots on the holiday train will definitely want to enter the queue as early as they can, as this event sells out quickly every year.

Once ticket sales open at noon on Friday, November 8th, individuals in the “waiting room” will be randomly assigned a spot in the purchasing queue, according to the Vancouver Park Board.

Those joining after this point will be able to purchase their spot on a first-come, first-served basis, with a priority to those already in the waiting room.

Tickets are priced at $16 per person (aged 13 and up), $12 per child aged three to 12, and free for those aged two and under.

Parking info

Parking will be limited as per construction on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel, but there will be two-hour pay parking in effect at the main railway lot ($7.50 for two hours).

There will also be free event parking available at the Stanley Park information booth, Vancouver Aquarium, and Lumberman’s Arch.

So there you have it, Vancouver! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more holiday info as it comes!

Bright Nights Train 2024 

When: Friday, November 29th to January 4th (closed on December 25th)
Where: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park
Cost: $12 to $16 per person

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

Read articles