all aboard!
By annemarie on December 13, 2010 | Filed Under faces & places
Last night we finally had a chance to hit up the Christmas Train in Stanley Park. Otherwise known as Bright Nights. We love this annual, brightly-lit extravaganza and this year it didn’t disappoint. With a Canadian theme – including Bob and Doug Mackenzie – we also saw polar bears, beavers, lots and lots of reindeer and Santas both real and animatronic.
Donations and partial proceeds benefit the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund so there are lots of firefighters on hand which is nice for kids (and their mums) and just wandering about (which is free) and enjoying the displays is magical enough, let alone taking the train. We always get our pictures taken with Santa there too – his house is handily located as you get off the train – as they always have a jolly old St. Nick. On their site this year they have a fun colouring page you can download to get in the mood!
Every year we find by the time we arrive we’re all in grumpy moods but the lights and displays quickly melt away the grumps and soothe our fractious tots who declared the evening, “Super cool!” and “Amazing.” In fact part of the tradition for our family seems to be getting there a bit frazzled and then being lulled by the lights and music.
It’s a truly magical event and jam-packed with families. We don’t want to give away Mortal Coil’s surprise this year, but suffice it to say it was very realistic and drew a chorus of Oooohs and Aaahhhs along the train.
Tickets are going fast so if you want to take your family I’d suggest snagging yours soon. And even on a mild night it pays to bundle up, we always seem to get cold toes. Oh and do take a camera, so you’ll have pix to share, which we didn’t and don’t. The one above is from the Bright Nights Facebook Page.
