Top events this weekend in Surrey, November 14 to 16

Surrey has a full weekend of free outdoor activities, from a walk among Christmas lights at Bear Creek Park to a guided salmon watch along King Creek and a Christmas market in Cloverdale on Saturday. All five events on the list this weekend are free, and most are run by the City.

Friday, November 14

Bear Creek Lights

The 14th annual Bear Creek Lights opens at 5pm and runs until 9pm at Bear Creek Park, 13750 88 Avenue. The City of Surrey describes the event as "a safe, accessible, family-friendly light display through the park's one-kilometre garden walking loop" with nature-themed installations throughout the park.

Free tickets are required. Book online at bearcreektickets.surrey.ca or call 604-501-5100 on weekdays between 8:30am and 4:30pm. The event runs nightly through November 20 (Bear Creek Lights was closed November 11 for Remembrance Day, so this weekend marks the final six nights). Tickets go quickly on weekends; book before Friday afternoon.

Salmon Sessions at Bear Creek Lights

SHaRP, the Salmon Habitat Restoration Program, runs guided walks at Bear Creek Park during the lights event on Friday and through November 19. Guided walks leave at 5:30pm and 7:30pm and follow King Creek. The City says participants can "look for spawning salmon returning to lay their eggs" and learn about the creek and local fish through interpretive booths and guided walks. No wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

The sessions are free and run as a drop-in. A Bear Creek Lights ticket is required to enter the park. Participants should dress for cool, damp evenings and wear flat-soled shoes for the trail.

Nature Work Parties

The City of Surrey's Parks and Environment team runs a drop-in volunteer morning at Robertson Drive Park (12714 92 Avenue), with staggered starts at 10am and 10:30am through to noon. Participants remove invasive plants, plant native trees and shrubs and clean up litter. Tools and training are provided. The City welcomes all ages and families. Free and no registration needed. The same program also runs at Godwin Farm Biodiversity Preserve Park and Fleetwood Park on other Saturdays through December.

Surrey Youth Stewardship Squad

Youth aged 13 to 18 are welcome at a free stewardship afternoon from 1pm to 3pm at Godwin Farm Biodiversity Preserve Park, 9016 164 Street. The City of Surrey runs the session, with participants removing invasive plants, planting trees and shrubs and cleaning up litter. Tools and training are provided. No registration is needed. The same program runs at different locations on subsequent Fridays through December.

Saturday, November 15

Cloverdale Grand Christmas Market

Shannon Hall, 6050 176 Street, hosts the second season of the Cloverdale Grand Christmas Market from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Local Harmony Markets organizes the event, which features local makers and small businesses selling handmade and specialty Christmas gifts, festive decor, candles, jewellery, baked goods and seasonal treats. The organizer describes it as a family-friendly event focused on supporting local artisans. Free admission. Paid parking is available nearby in the Cloverdale area.

Bear Creek Lights (continues)

Bear Creek Park's light display continues on Saturday from 5pm to 9pm, with Salmon Sessions walks at 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Free tickets required at bearcreektickets.surrey.ca.

Sunday, November 16

Bear Creek Lights (continues)

Bear Creek Lights continues on Sunday from 5pm to 9pm. Free tickets required at bearcreektickets.surrey.ca. After Sunday there are four more nights left before the event closes on November 20.

Getting around this weekend

TransLink reports no service alerts affecting Surrey routes for the weekend of November 14 to 16. Fraser Highway between 148 Street and 184 Street remains local-access-only due to Surrey Langley SkyTrain construction, a restriction that has been in place since early November. The City of Surrey reported this restriction when it was put in place; check the City's current pages for any updates before travelling. Drivers heading to the Cloverdale Grand Christmas Market on Saturday should allow extra time along that corridor.

Before you go

Check the organizer's page on the day before you travel, as times and availability can change. Bear Creek Lights free tickets go quickly; book online at bearcreektickets.surrey.ca or by calling 604-501-5100 on weekdays. For the Salmon Sessions, a Bear Creek Lights ticket covers entry to both.

Coming up in late November. The Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market opens at the Civic Plaza on November 21, with a tree lighting ceremony at 6:30pm and a fire show on November 22 at 7pm. The City says free skating on a 4,000-square-foot outdoor rink and a holiday market with more than 30 vendors will run through the season.

Noel Surrey, the holiday light festival at Cloverdale Fairgrounds (17905 62nd Avenue), opens November 27 and runs until December 29, closed on November 30 and December 7, 24 and 25. The Surrey Now-Leader reports it runs daily from 3pm to 9:30pm. The BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund organizes the event, which features the Bright Nights light display, more than one million lights, unlimited Ferris wheel rides, a Christmas market with more than 20 vendors and a snow barn. Tickets are required; youth (ages 7 to 18) and seniors pay between $18 and $20, adults between $24 and $27, and children 6 and under are free.

The 20th annual Surrey Santa Parade of Lights rolls through downtown Cloverdale on November 29 starting at 6pm, the Surrey Now-Leader reports. The parade is organized by the Cloverdale BIA and exits Cloverdale Fairgrounds before travelling east on 60th Avenue, south on 177B Street, west on 57th Avenue, north on 176th Street and east on 58th Avenue. The parade is free to watch along the route. Collection bins along the way accept non-perishable food items and new toys for the Christmas Hamper Program, Cloverdale Community Kitchen, Surrey Food Bank and Baby-Go-Round.