Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Winterfest open November 21 with free skating and holiday events
The Surrey Tree Lighting Festival at Civic Plaza opens November 21 with free skating through February 15, while the Museum of Surrey runs Winterfest events from November 21 to December 19.
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Surrey's holiday season opens on November 21, with two events starting the same weekend: the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival at Civic Plaza and Winterfest at the Museum of Surrey. Both run through mid-December, with free skating at Civic Plaza continuing all the way to February 15.
The Tree Lighting Festival and skating
The opening weekend for the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival is November 21 and 22, the Surrey Now-Leader reported on November 10. Daily skating sessions at the covered outdoor rink at Surrey Civic Plaza then run from November 26 through February 15, 2027.
Skating is free for anyone who brings their own skates. Skate rentals cost $5. The rink includes a café with snacks and drinks, fire pits, Adirondack chairs, and picnic tables. DJ performances and live music are part of the daily program.
The rink drew 43,000 visitors over its first season, the Surrey Now-Leader reported.
The broader festival adds live music on multiple stages, a holiday market, photos with Santa, food trucks, holiday characters, a toddler zone, and a sensory-friendly area.
A Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus runs on December 5 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. for $16 per person. As of the article's publication, 30 spots were listed. Registration is at surrey.ca.
A Winter Ice Palace at Cloverdale Arena runs December 12 to January 3 with festive lights, decorations, and music.
Winterfest at the Museum of Surrey
The Museum of Surrey's Winterfest runs November 21 to December 19. It includes a Christmas Tree Fest where visitors can view decorated trees, vote for their favourites, and enter for prizes.
Three special events are part of Winterfest. Sensory Santa on November 29 is a calm, quiet session for neurodiverse children and families. The stɑl'əw̓ Craft Fair on December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is an Indigenous artisan market with demonstrations and locally made items. Merry Makers on December 12 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. has hands-on crafts and activities for all ages. The City of Surrey announced the events on November 9.
Before you go
Event details, times, and registration for Breakfast with Santa are at surrey.ca. Museum of Surrey events are listed at surrey.ca/museum. Check each page before attending, as times and spots available can change.
Questions this story answers
When does the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival start in 2026?
The Surrey Tree Lighting Festival opening weekend is November 21 and 22, 2026, at Surrey Civic Plaza, the Surrey Now-Leader reported on November 10. Daily skating sessions then run from November 26, 2026, through February 15, 2027. The covered rink attracted 43,000 visitors during its first season, according to the Surrey Now-Leader.
Is skating at Surrey Civic Plaza free?
Skating is free for people who bring their own skates, the Surrey Now-Leader reported. Skate rentals cost $5. Daily sessions at the covered outdoor rink at Surrey Civic Plaza run from November 26, 2026, to February 15, 2027. The rink also has a café, fire pits, Adirondack chairs, and picnic tables.
What else is at the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival?
The festival includes live music on multiple stages, a holiday market, photos with Santa, food trucks, holiday characters, a toddler zone, and a sensory-friendly area, according to the Surrey Now-Leader. A Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus runs on December 5 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. for $16 per person, with 30 spots listed as available at the time of the article.
What is the Winter Ice Palace at Cloverdale Arena?
The Winter Ice Palace at Cloverdale Arena runs December 12 to January 3 and features festive lights, decorations, and music, according to the Surrey Now-Leader. It is part of the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival's broader set of holiday activities across the city.
What is Winterfest at the Museum of Surrey?
The Museum of Surrey's Winterfest runs November 21 to December 19, 2026. It includes a Christmas Tree Fest where visitors can view decorated trees and vote for their favourites, running the full period. The City of Surrey announced the event on November 9. Museum Manager Lynn Saffery was quoted as inviting everyone to come.
What special events are at the Museum of Surrey during Winterfest?
Three special events run during Winterfest at the Museum of Surrey, the City of Surrey announced. Sensory Santa on November 29 offers a calm, quiet meeting with Santa for neurodiverse children and families. The stɑl'əw̓ Craft Fair on December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is an Indigenous artisan market with demonstrations. Merry Makers on December 12 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. has hands-on crafts and activities for all ages.
Where is Surrey Civic Plaza?
Surrey Civic Plaza is in City Centre, the downtown area of Surrey near Surrey Central Station. It is the main public square for the city's events, including the Tree Lighting Festival and its outdoor ice rink. More details about the festival and skating registration, where needed, are at surrey.ca.
Where can Surrey residents get more details about these events?
Surrey residents can find event details and registration for Breakfast with Santa at surrey.ca, the City of Surrey's website. The Museum of Surrey's events, including Sensory Santa and the stɑl'əw̓ Craft Fair, are also listed at surrey.ca/museum. Check each event page before attending, as times and availability can change.
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