Miniature Train hours of operation
Dates
Late November to early January
- 2013 dates to be determined
- Closed Christmas Day
Afternoon matinees
Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Nights
Sunday to Thursday: 3:00pm to 10:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 3:00pm to 11:00pm
The season of generosity
Partial proceeds from the sale of Bright Nights tickets go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, which helps burn survivors and their families. $1.4 million has been raised over the past 14 years.
Entrance to the plaza is by donation (you don't need to purchase train tickets to see the lights). Donations will be accepted at the front gate. We suggest a $4 minimum donation. Thank you!
Buying tickets
You must buy tickets to ride the train. Your ticket is valid for one Bright Nights train ride and other attractions in the plaza.
Train tickets are sold in half-hour time slots. Several trains will depart within each time slot.
If you want to avoid crowds, plan your ride between Monday and Thursday during the first two weeks of the month.
Ways to buy tickets
There are two ways to purchase tickets for Bright Nights:
- On site, starting at 12:00 noon every day at the Miniature Train ticket booth.
- Through Ticketmaster (service charges apply).
- By phone at 1-855-985-5000
- In person at any Ticketmaster outlet
- Online, through the Ticketmaster website
Get tickets online
Same day tickets for sale at 12:00noon
From 12:00noon on the day of your train ride, you can purchase tickets at the ticket booth in the Stanley Park Train Plaza. You can buy same-day tickets only.
At least half of the tickets for each night are available for on-site purchase, so even if Ticketmaster is sold out for that day, there will still be tickets for sale on site each day. However, since this event is so popular, tickets for the day can sell out quickly. Come early!
Get your tickets early through Ticketmaster
Bright Nights is an annual event in Stanley Park and it's extremely popular. Buy your tickets in advance to make sure you get on the train when you want.
You can buy tickets in advance (up to 9:00am the day of the event) for all Bright Nights train rides, except:
- Sundays – Ticketmaster cuts sales off at 9:00am on the Saturday prior.
- 24, 26, 27, and 28 December – Ticketmaster cuts sales off for these days at 9:00am on 22 December.
- 1 January – Ticketmaster cuts sales off for these days at 9:00am on 31 December.
Tip: If you're trying to buy tickets online and all the times you check are sold out, phone Ticketmaster. Agents can let you know what dates and times still have tickets available.
Matinee train
Our special Matinee Train runs every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Special "train only" ticket price of $5.50 per rider (all ages).
Enjoy our special train ride and static plaza displays. Note that there is no live actor for the matinees.
Group bookings
If you have a corporate group of 50 people or more that you would like to bring down to ride the train, please call us at 604-257-8530.
Accessibility
The entire site is wheelchair accessible, and the train has a specially designed carriage that accommodates up to two wheelchairs with seating for companions. Staff will help passengers in need of assistance board the train.
Snacks and dinner packages
Snacks, hot and cold drinks, and light meals are available at the Railway Café concession stand. The Stanley Park Ecology Society sells hot buttered popcorn from its Cob House in the plaza.
For a more substantial meal, there are dinner packages available with the Old Spaghetti Factory. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, simply select that option when purchasing your train ticket, after you select your time slot.
Call the Spaghetti Factory and make dinner reservations in advance.
