Surrey’s favourite holiday tradition is back for another year, bringing festive cheer and an unforgettable tree-lighting ceremony for all. This November 21 and 22, the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival is illuminating Surrey Civic Plaza with free, family-friendly fun that will bring the whole community together for one amazing celebration.
Presented by Concord Pacific, embrace the magic of the season with free skating at Santa’s Workshop & Ice Rink tent at Civic Plaza, a Holiday Market inside the Surrey City Hall Atrium, delicious food and live entertainment– and the best part of all, the tree lighting ceremony! Gather around the magical 60-foot Christmas tree to marvel at the festival’s centrepiece as it lights up for the season.
Wondering what to expect at this year’s festival? We’ve got you covered with all the details, including what’s returning and what’s new.
Surrey Tree Lighting Festival 2026
Five Stages of Festive Fun
Attendees can expect a wide range of live performances under the spotlight, including the Good Noise Gospel Choir, The Mighty Chorus, Down ‘n Dirty on November 21; and then Big Bone Brass Band on November 22!
Not only that, but you’ll also be able to find dance battles, DJs, and more across all the stages. And to finish the weekend off, head to the Snowflake Stage on November 22 at 7:20pm for a mesmerizing fire show!
Whether you prefer pop, rock, or classical, each stage offers something different for music lovers of all kinds.
Perfect Photo-Ops
It isn’t a holiday celebration without some good pictures, and the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival has tons of opportunities for that. For sparkling photo-ops, check out the light tunnel for plenty of glittering light displays that are perfect for capturing family memories.
For the little ones, they can get pictures with Santa in Santa’s Workshop tent on the plaza. Just be sure to grab a reservation slot to guarantee your spot, as a limited number of walk-ups will be available only on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations open in early November, so get them while you can!
Skating, Shopping, and Rides
But that’s not all– the festival also offers tons of exciting things to do throughout Surrey Civic Plaza. For those of you getting some holiday shopping done, you won’t want to miss the Holiday Market, located in the Surrey City Hall Atrium. There, you can find treasure after treasure while also supporting local artisans.
You’ll also be able to slide into the holidays on the 4,000-square-foot Santa’s Workshop & Ice Rink tent at Civic Plaza! Skating is absolutely free, with complimentary skate and helmet rentals available for everyone.
And of course, the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival wouldn’t be complete with some exciting amusement rides. No tickets are necessary: all you need to do is hop on and enjoy the fun. Be sure to ride the Ferris Wheel so you can get a gorgeous view of the festival from above.
All that excitement will definitely work up an appetite, so when your stomach starts to growl, check out the festival’s huge food truck lineup. Whatever you’re craving, they’re sure to have it!
The Highlights
Looking to hit up all the highlights? Check below for all the major excitement happening around the festival so you don’t miss a single bit of festive fun:
- Tree lighting ceremony
- A massive Holiday Market
- Free amusement rides
- Free entertainment across five stages
- Free skating at the 4,000-square-foot Santa’s Workshop & Ice Rink tent at Civic Plaza
- Light tunnels and sparkling displays
- Photos with Santa at Santa’s Workshop tent at Civic Plaza
- A major food truck lineup
As one of Metro Vancouver’s best free holiday events, the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival is one celebration you won’t forget anytime soon. Just head to Surrey Civic Plaza from November 21 to 22 to enjoy everything the event has to offer!
Festival Schedule & Activity Times
Planning your visit? Here’s a breakdown of the key activities and times so you don’t miss out on any of the festive fun!
- Festival Hours: November 21 & 22, 12 pm – 8 pm daily
- Christmas Tree Lighting: Saturday, November 21 at 6:30 pm
- Fire Show: Sunday, November 22 at 7:20 pm on the Snowflake Stage
- Free Ice Skating: Both days, 12 pm – 7:40 pm at Santa’s Workshop & Ice Rink tent at Civic Plaza. Free skate and helmet rentals are available, with 40-minute sessions starting every hour from 12 pm to 7 pm. Wristbands are first-come, first-served.
- Free Photos With Santa: Both days, 12 pm – 8 pm at Santa’s Workshop tent on Civic Plaza. Online reservations open November 4 at 10 am, with limited walk-up spots available.
- Holiday Market: Both days inside the Surrey City Hall Atrium, featuring handmade gifts and local artisans.
- Free Amusement Rides: Both days, including the Ferris wheel.
- Live Entertainment: Throughout the weekend across five stages, featuring choirs, DJs, dance battles, and more.
Admission to the festival and the listed activities is completely FREE, making it the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends! Food, beverages and Holiday Market purchases cost extra.
EVENT DETAILS:
📅 Date: Saturday, November 21 – Sunday, November 22, 2026
📍 Location: Surrey Civic Plaza
🎟️ More Info: Surrey Tree Lighting Festival
