The Bright Walk in White Rock takes place along the White Rock waterfront. It features Christmas trees and thousands of festive lights and illuminations.
The event usually runs from around the beginning of December until early January. On the first day of the season, there is a launch party with family-friendly activities and live entertainment.
Bright Walk in White Rock
The White Rock Festival of Lights started up in 2019. Then, over 40,000 people visited and supported the event. The festival happened again in 2020. Folks were treated to an impressive display of festive Christmas lights set against a natural backdrop of the beautiful coastline.
The event was originally created by members of the local White Rock community, but with the help and support of various partners and organizations.
As of 2021, the event is now organized by the City of White Rock. The festival has a new name as well. Bright Walk in White Rock took place for the first time from early December in 2021 until mid-February in 2022.
Bright Walk in White Rock returned for the 2023/2024 season from December 2nd until January 7th.
What to Expect
Bright Walk in White Rock begins with a launch event. In 2023, on December 2nd, the opening day festivities ran from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Memorial Park. At the event there’s usually a tree lighting ceremony with the mayor and council members at 4:30 pm.
Family-friendly activities at the launch event include live entertainment, games, cookie decorating and a Christmas market with over 30 vendors. There’s also free hot chocolate, and Santa Claus is on site for family photos. During the festivities on opening day, illuminated sailboats from the International Yacht Club of BC’s annual Sail Past dot the waters around the waterfront, adding to the magic of the Christmas season.
The main display of thousands of lights is right along the White Rock waterfront, and this runs until the end of the season. There is a large Christmas tree almost 40 feet tall in Memorial Park. In previous years there was also a section of lights called The Magical Meadow which was full of lanterns painted by students from the area. A couple of years ago there were also new light structures to admire, including a tunnel of lights and other beautiful installations.
The Christmas illuminations remained up this past season until January 7th, 2024. During the extended winter holiday season, Christmas lights and decorations can be seen around the White Rock Beach waterfront along Marine Drive and at the pier.
Other Information
For additional information about the Christmas attraction, visit the White Rock City website.
Other communities with especially pretty displays of Christmas lights that are free to enjoy most (but not all) years include the following (as well as many other places):
- Vancouver at Granville Island, Stanley Park and Canada Place
- Maple Ridge at the Memorial Peace Park
- West Vancouver at Dundarave Beach
- North Vancouver at the Shipyards and Gardens at Park & Tilford
- Burnaby at the Burnaby Village Museum
- Coquitlam at Lafarge Lake
- Harrison Hot Springs at the Waterfront
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