Surrey Tree Lighting Festival returns for its 14th year
The festival includes a lineup of community events on Nov. 23 and 24
The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:30 pm on Nov. 23. (Submitted)
The Surrey Tree Lighting Festival is coming back for its 14th year to light up Surrey Civic Plaza this weekend from noon to 8:00 pm.
The free, family-friendly festival will feature a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree as its centrepiece, which will be illuminated during a tree-lighting ceremony at 6:30 pm this Saturday to mark the official start of the holiday season.
The weekend will also feature a variety of entertainment and surprises such as live performances by over 50 artists, a holiday market with more than 35 local small businesses and artisans, free amusement rides, light displays, and photo opportunities with Santa.
This year’s festival will also have some new additions including a “Cheerful Little-Who [who] will be helping protect Surrey’s iconic 60-foot Christmas tree from a mischievous green and grumpy guest on the Snowflake Stage,” Amy Kim, senior special events marketing coordinator for the City of Surrey, wrote in an email statement to The Runner.
This performance will be followed by a fire show called “Ember’s Awakening” and a dance party with DJ Flipout.
Adding to the lineup of events, attendees will have a chance to witness Canadian breakdancer and Olympic gold medalist Phil (Wizard) Kim perform at the festival’s Candy Cane Dance Tent.
Concord Pacific, one of the sponsors for the event, will be holding a toy drive with the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society at the event. Toys will be donated to the Surrey Christmas Bureau to help ensure children in need have a joyful Christmas morning, Kim wrote.
The Surrey Tree Lighting Festival is the city’s longest-running holiday event and helps create “a sense of community and positive memories, and increases civic pride,” she wrote.
“Festivals of this size contribute a positive economic impact to businesses surrounding the event site and provide attendees the opportunity to celebrate and live in the moment with family and friends,” Kim added.
“The goal of the event is for attendees to celebrate the holiday season and create long-lasting memories with their family and friends.”
In addition to entertainment, the event also highlights Surrey’s diverse and vibrant local businesses and corporate exhibitors, offering visitors a chance to shop local during the holiday season.
“We hope everyone comes out to enjoy the festivities!” Kim wrote.
For more details about the festival and to view the full schedule of activities, visit www.surreytreelighting.ca.
