Burnaby Fireworks

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

There are plenty of Halloween events to check out in the Lower Mainland, including a number of good Haunted House attractions and Halloween Activities for Children.

Central Spark is also part of the Burnaby Halloween Festival! The city offers a wide variety of fun Halloween events each year, that run anywhere from early October to the beginning of November.

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

This article includes the following information about Central Spark:

When and Where? | What to Expect | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Central Spark Halloween Fun in Burnaby

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

Central Spark returns on Friday, October 25th in 2024.

When and Where?

The second annual Central Spark event takes place on Friday, October 25th, 2024. It runs from 6:00 to 8:00 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. In other words, the event is primarily in the northeast corner of the park.

Central Park is in a fairly 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 event, there are families and people of all ages walking around. People are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes (but not everyone did that last year).

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.

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 last year included Tornado Potato, Juicy Green Express, Candy Curio, Reel Mac & Cheese, and others.

Central Spark concludes with fireworks which blast off in Central Park at around 7:30 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 try on 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 called Pumpkins After Dark.

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.