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Bright Nights in Stanley Park 2012 (Nov 29, 2012 – Jan 1, 2013) is entering its 15th season. And it’s that time of the year again. Christmas, Santa, Silent Night, Noel, Yuletide, New Year, Boxing Day, Hanukah & Seasons Greetings.

Same as before, Bright Nights is a family-friendly event and an opportunity to raise money for the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. It is for a charity cause to honor the men and women who put their lives on the line every time they go out to save those who might be threatened by a raging fire or trapped in a dangerous environment. So be generous.

Entry to the Christmas Park display area is FREE and the entire place is adorned with Christmas-themed décor—reindeer, Santa, gingerbread houses, nutcrackers, presents, Christmas lights etc. A ticket is required for the Christmas Miniature Train Ride. (Prices are listed below.)

The Stanley Park miniature train, a key component that had made Bright Nights and other events such as the Halloween Ghost Train and Klahowya Village Train a great success every year, was transformed into the Bright Nights Train as it rode through the world-famous Douglas fir and cedar forest illuminated by what seemed like millions of colorful lights just in time for the holiday season.

Though smaller in size and stature than a life-size train, the engine designation is a special one – Engine 374. The namesake of which is the engine that pulled the first-ever transcontinental train to arrive in Vancouver in May 1887 all the way from its shop in Montreal.

Here at Stanley Park, the miniature train pulls passengers through an unforgettable journey of a brightly–lit Christmas Winter Wonderland. The view at the bridge over a lake is awe-inspiring and the trip boring through a tunnel full of modern cave-like paintings brings sheer delight of love, peace and joy. It just stimulates the mind.

indeed, Bright Nights at Stanley Park is not just for kids, adults enjoyed it just as much. Many come with their family to get into the Yuletide mood. This year’s the train’s soundtrack includes many modern renditions of old Christmas favorites for your enjoyment. You won‘t be disappointed.

Ho-ho-ho, Santa’s waiting.

Chritmas Train Ride Tickets -

Adult: $10.00 includes HST;
Child, Youth & Seniors: $7.00 includes HST
(Children & Youth 3-17, Seniors 65+)
Children Under 3 years of age are FREE
Christmas park admission is FREE

Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.ca or charge by phone: 1-855-985-5000. (Note that Ticketmaster services charges apply)

Additional information can be obtained at Bright Nights at Stanley Park 2012

[Photos by Ray Van Eng | www.vancouver21.com ]












































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Ray Van Eng is an award-winning photographer, journalist, Internet publisher, screenwriter and movie & TV producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City. from Sep 2012 to May 2013.

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500 Pipeline Road, Vancouver BC Canada

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Sails of Light 2012 Christmas at Canada Place in Vancouver BC. From Nov 29, 2012 to Jan 1, 2013, the five sales at Canada Place lights up to celebrate the Christmas season. Each year, an elaborate light show is projected onto the Teflon sails much like an artist applies brushstrokes on a canvas.

An estimated 500,000 people this year would enjoy the illuminated artwork on one of Vancouver’s landmark architectures, the Five Sails, from around Stanley Park, the downtown waterfront areas and on carol ships out and about in Coal Harbor and the Burrard Inlet. The event is a visual feast and a way for Canadians to tell their stories using lights, colors, shadows, animation, time duration and illuminated imagery.

Beyond being an artistic endeavor that reflects Canadian values, the Sails of Light venture also invites corporate customers to participate as partners and explore branding opportunities.


Sails of Light at Canada Place had become a Vancouver holiday tradition since 2009 when the event debuted just two months before the opening of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games that further established the city as an international destination.

[Photos & Video by Ray Van Eng]





________________________________________________

Ray Van Eng is an award-winning photographer, journalist, online publisher, screenwriter and movie & TV producer. One of his videos is currently on view at the Hava Nagila Exhibit, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City. from Sep 2012 to May 2013.

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Canada Place, Vancouver BC, Canada

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Vancouver’s Bright Nights in Stanley Park opens Dec 02 to Jan 02, 2012.

The miniature train ride is $9 per adult and $6 per child/youth/senior. The ride is absolutely worth it, as the lighted forest is decorated with some two million Christmas lights. Parking is Free. Admission to the Christmas Plaza is also Free.

Check out this video made last year of the 2010 Bright Nights miniature Christmas Train Ride – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8VClGHtMj0

The event is a fundraiser for the Professional Firefighters Burn Fund and the organizers are recommending a minimum of $4 donation at the entrance of the plaza.

VIDEO – Bright Nights 2011 – Christmas Lights

Bright Nights at Stanley Park

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One of the highlights of Vancouver’s Aboriginal Tourism (AtBC) Klahowya Village is a miniature train ride on the Spirit Catcher Train. The 18-minute train ride around the Douglas tree-lined forest features the telling of a popular Coast Salish First Nations story – Raven Steals The Sun. Aided by an onboard voice-over, live actor performances, native songs and aboriginal props along the way, this ancient tale ignites the senses and sparks the imagination of the of the children and parents who enjoyed the locomotive ride. A perfect way for a whole family to spend a perfect summer afternoon in the city’s world-famous Stanley Park.

The Klahowya Village at Stanley Park will stay open until Sep. 11, 2011. Tickets for the Spirit Catcher Train Ride are Adult $10, Senior/Child $8 and free for children under 2 and include Gate Admission to the ground which otherwise would be Adult $5 and Senior/Child $3.

VIDEO – Spirit Catcher Train at Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

Klahowya Village, 1000 Pipeline Road, Vancouver BC

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The city of Vancouver is celebrating its 125th Birthday with a special event at the city’s world famous Stanley Park where First Nations totem poles stand tall at Brockton Point from July 8-10, 2011.

The Squamish Nations being the aboriginals of this part of the traditional Coast Salish territory opened the weekend of events with a parade of chiefs and native youth singers together with Mayor Gregor Robertson and TV news host Mike Killeen.

The three-day celebration featured arts and culture of the local multicultural communities and the events at Brockton Oval is jam-packed with musical performances by such artists and cultural groups as The Be Good Tanyas, Beat Nation Live, Taiwan Taiyuan Puppet Theatre, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, Blues & The Gospel Truth, Birds of Paradox, The New Pornographers and many more.

The Good Tanyas jammed some popular folk and soft rock music that delighted the Vancouver audience, some of whom hadn’t seen their favorite band playing locally in years.

VIDEO – Be Good Tanyas at Vancouver 125. July 08, 2011.

Vancouver’s Stanley Park Brockton Point

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The Easter Holiday in Vancouver is a fun-filled long weekend for kids and adults alike. In 2011, the railway at the Stanley Park Miniature Train Ride is once again back in service and each year, thousands are eager to get onboard. The festivities begin on Good Friday (April 22, 2011) and end on Good Monday (April 25, 2011). The aboriginal Klahowya Village opens from 11AM-4PM. Entrance to the park is free while the train ticket is $6.50 each and includes entry to the Easter Bunny and Chicken Farmyard. Bring your own basket for some free Easter eggs. All aboard!

VIDEO – Easter 2011 & Stanley Park Miniature Train in Vancouver

Stanley Park Miniature Railway, 611 Pipeline Road.

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A solemn Squamish First Nations totem blessing ceremony at Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside offered the public a rare glimpse into the centuries-old aboriginal custom known as a potlatch. Geographically, Squamish is located about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler on the Sea-To-Sky Highway and this native community is also one of the Four Host First Nations (FHFN) that was a full and integral partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

In December 2006, a devastating storm ravaged the city’s Stanley Park. The 115 Km per hour (71 mph) wind damaged some 3,000 trees. About 40% of the forest was affected. The cleanup and restoration effort including mending part of the seawall cost a total of $9 Million. But all was not wasted though. Some of the Western Red Cedar were recycled and made into paddles and given as gifts to people around the UK coastline. The paddles were carved by Stewart Nahanee and painted by his brother Wes, both of the Squamish Nation. Wes was not only present at the ceremony but also invited as a guest speaker.

A large cedar log was also carved into two vertical halves (each about 12ft tall) by Chief Robertson and his son Henry Robertson Jr. to be made into two totem poles. On Nov. 06, 2010, a traditional First Nations ceremony was held at Oppenheimer Park and conducted by Bob Baker, a Squamish elder and lead singer and dancer of the Eagle Song Dancer group.

Four persons were chosen beforehand to be the witnesses of the sacred ceremony. In accordance with the Coast Salish tradition, these 4 witnesses carried out a cleansing ritual using sage and fresh water on the yet-to-be-finished totems with the two master carvers standing by in attendance. Then, the totems were then carried by ‘witnesses’ that were respected members of the Squamish Nations into the building nearby to protect the totems from the elements while the carvers would continue to work on the native artwork.

Once completed, the totems will be erected and a special ceremony will also be held to set them up at a site within the park. The day’s ceremony was also an excellent excuse for many in the Squamish community to gather together or ‘Tzo’kam’ as in the native language.

To round off the blessing ceremony, Bob Baker and the Eagle Song Dancers performed an eagle dance for the occasion. Years ago, I worked with Bob in a short dramatic film project. He lead his dancers sang and danced the same song too. Seeing Bob again is like meeting an old friend for me.

This special carving project and celebration is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, City of Vancouver Great Beginnings Program, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, Vancouver Moving Theatre, Constant Arts Society. The program was also part of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) Heart of the City Festival.

VIDEO – Squamish Nation Sacred Totem Ceremony at Vancouver’s Oppenheimer Park

Oppenheimer Park, 488 Powell Street, Vancouver BC

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Happy Holidays! From now until January 02, 2011, the Stanley Park Bright Nights 2010 stays open for the Holiday Season. The miniature train is running through the Stanley Park rain forest Winter Wonderland. Can we get a White Christmas? Now that, we shall see. Santa is waiting, in fact there are many of them all over the plaza. Bright Nights 2010 is there for a good cause too – to raise money for the Firefighters’ Burn Fund. So, be generous. It is that time of the year again.

The Little Drummer Boy is now playing his song at The Stanley Park aboriginal stage. Michael Jackson too, believe it or not.





























Stanley Park Bright Nights 2010, Vancouver BC

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Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Shen-Dan-Kuai-Le, Buon Natalel, Feliz Navidad… Whichever way you say or call it, it is seasons greetings and Bright Nights 2010 at Stanley Park is entering the 13th season from Nov. 26, 2010 – January 02, 2011.

The world famous urban park in downtown Vancouver is once again adorned with Christmas-themed décor—reindeers, Santa, ginger-bread houses, nutcrackers, presents, Christmas lights etc. The miniature train is transformed into a Bright Nights train ride through the Winter Wonderful with a rainbow of colored lights illuminating the surrounding forest.

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed… Choirs will be singing your favorite X’mas hymns and plenty of family fun and entertainment. Entry to the park and Christmas Plaza area is free with tickets available for train rides and admittance to the Children’s Farmyard. All for charity and a good cause as well – to raise money for the Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
Christmas and New Year is a time to celebrate and give, what better way to do it than at this year’s 13th Bright Nights in Stanley Park.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening… Hark the herald angels sing… Ho ho ho… Santa’s waiting.

VIDEO – Bright Nights 2010 Christmas Miniature Train Ride

611 Pipeline Road, Stanley Park, Vancouver BC

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Vancouver is having more fun these days. I guess you could say that it is all part of the 2010 Olympic legacy. Not just in the summer months immediately after the sporting events were over when Granville Mall was still closed off to traffic to enable all sorts of street entertainment, cultural activities, community events and mobile food cart services to take place.

From July to September, Tourism BC launched the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park, an aboriginal tourism package that attracted both tourists and locals alike to a unique First Nations experience as offered by artisans, guides, storytellers, elders, musicians and dancers from the native communities around British Columbia.

Children dressed in Halloween costume at the Klahowya stage waiting to catch the Stanley Park Ghost Train

And when all the leaves are brown and the sky is…well, let’s just say silvery , the Klahowya stage where the First Nations dance groups once performed daily may be empty, the village is teeming with life. Children and their parents come to visit the Haunted Farmyard and catch a Halloween ride on the Stanley Park Ghost Train to watch Alice in Nightmare and see how the fairytale princess fights her way through the forest inhibited with wicked witches, voodoo deities, zombies, body-snatchers and the like. The Stanley Park Ecology Society also set up camps to bring visitors on a Creatures of The Night Theatrical Walks journey.

Soon the Christmas spirit will be upon us. The miniature train will once again carry passengers through a journey of lighted trees of red, green, yellow and blue. Wanted to see some white stuff and play in it? Skiing in the city of Vancouver is not unheard of, but go a little higher at Grouse, Seymour, you are more than likely able to do that in the first few months of the year. If not, venture a little further up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler and you can slide the same slopes where the 2010 Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalists were born.

The Klahowya Village is conveniently located in the same area as the Vancouver Aquarium where Haida artist Bill Reid’s Killer Whale sculpture still stands. Nearby are the Rose Garden, Malkin Bowl, Lumberman’s Arch and even Brockton Oval which is within a short walking distance away where the picturesque totem poles have kept up with the time and recently received a make-over. Work is on-going to improve the century-old Stanley Park even further.

Before long, the cherry bloosom season in Vancouver would attract thousands of Asian tourists to town, making you realize that the city itself is really a fine jewel in the Pacific. Before you know it, summer would return and so will the First Nations drumming and dancing at Klahowya Village to complete the eternal circle again.
Stanley Park Klahowya Village & Miniature Train, Vancouver BC

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