Burnaby Fireworks

Central Spark is a Halloween-themed event at Central Park in Burnaby. It features free entertainment, games, activities, fireworks and more.

Numerous Halloween events happen in the Lower Mainland including a number of Haunted House attractions and Halloween Activities for Children.

To learn about other things happening around this time of year, see our October Calendar of Events. To learn more about the Central Spark event, continue reading.

Central Spark Halloween Fun in Burnaby

A brand new Halloween event was in Metro Vancouver in October of 2023. Hosted by the City of Burnaby, Central Spark was a family-friendly celebration of the spooky season. The one-day event was open to the public and free to attend. It took place in Central Park and included all sorts of fun activities, including carnival games, food trucks and a fireworks finale.

We expect Central Spark to be back in 2024. Exact details, however, are to be confirmed.

When and Where?

The inaugural Central Spark event took place in 2023 on Friday, October 27th. It ran from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm.

The event is held in and around Central Park in Burnaby. Most of the things to see and do are along Paterson Avenue between Kingsway and Central Boulevard. There are also activities in the park at the corner of Kingsway and Paterson. In other words, the event is primarily in the northeast corner of the park.

Central Park is in a convenient location. There are parking lots within the park, but street parking is limited during the event. It’s best to use public transit if you can, especially since the event happens just outside Patterson SkyTrain Station.

What to Expect

At the first ever Central Spark event, there were families and people of all ages walking around. Lots of people were wearing their Halloween costumes (but far from everyone).

The event features carnival games, a photo booth and various arts and crafts activities. There’s also an outdoor maze that people can try to navigate through. Roving entertainers put on small shows throughout the evening as well.

Food and drinks are available for purchase. There are several food trucks on site serving everything from popcorn and coffee to grilled cheese and barbequed items. Vendors include Tornado Potato, Juicy Green Express, Candy Curio, Reel Mac & Cheese, and others.

Central Spark concludes with fireworks which blast off in Central Park at 8:15 pm.

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips on how to make the most out of your experience at Central Spark.

TIP #1: Costumes are encouraged. The event is a good opportunity to get into the Halloween spirit and wear your costume before October 31st.

TIP #2: Central Spark happens rain or shine. If you’re worried about the weather, there are tents and heaters on site.

TIP #3: Dogs are usually welcome in the park, provided they are leashed. However, organizers recommend leaving pets at home during the event. It will be a busy celebration and the fireworks can be scary for animals.

TIP #4: After the fireworks finale, there’s another Halloween-themed event in Central Park and Swangard Stadium to check out.

TIP #5: A similar event at a different time of year is the Canada Day event at Central Park on July 1st. It too involves food trucks, free family-friendly activities and fireworks at night.