THE City of Surrey hosted over 30,000 attendees at the 13th annual Surrey Tree Lighting Festival at Surrey Civic Plaza this past Saturday and Sunday. Attendees experienced two days of free live entertainment, rides, photos with Santa, a Holiday Market and food trucks. On Saturday, Mayor and Council flipped the switch to light Surrey’s 60-foot Christmas tree, which will illuminate Surrey Civic Plaza until January 2.
“The Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market has become an annual tradition for both residents and visitors to Surrey,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke on Monday. “This year the event was held over two days, which saw more than 30,000 people attend. It was a real pleasure to see so many people come out to enjoy this event that kicks off the winter festive season. I would like to thank the sponsors, community groups, artists, vendors, and staff for their role in making this year’s celebration such a great success.”
The annual event featured live performances by many Surrey artists including Josh Bogert, Pat Chessell and Friends, Glisha, Jani Jakovac, Ranj Singh, Kara-Kata Afrobeat Group, Salish Secondary Dance, Rangla Punjab Arts Academy, Kwantlen Park Glee Club, Harmeet Kaur Virdee Duo, Johnston Heights Secondary Choir, and more.
Surrey City Hall hosted free photos with Santa, a letter writing station, a holiday themed family gameshow, and photo opportunities. Enchanted Boulevard on University Drive was lined with food trucks, free rides, and dance battles in the Candy Cane Dance Tent.
Attendees shopped at the expanded Holiday Market that showcased local crafters and small businesses from Surrey and the Lower Mainland. Concord Pacific hosted ‘Giving Trees’, where every digital pledge from attendees was matched with a $1 donation to the Surrey Food Bank.
Attendees can take a survey to provide feedback on the festival for a chance to win a $250 gift card to Guildford Town Centre. For more information visit surreytreelighting.ca.
