Lights at Lafarge is the Largest Free Outdoor Light Display in the Lower Mainland
Just a quick trip out of the city will take you into a dazzling display of lights at the annual Lights at Lafarge installation set up by the City of Coquitlam.
Wander around the waters edge of Lafarge Lake for some fun this winter with the lights shining from November 25, 2017 until January 21, 2018. There will also be a special pre-lighting event on opening night (November 25th) to celebrate the return of the fantastic light display!
It’s easy to get to Lafarge Lake, which is located just steps away from Lafarge Lake-Douglas Skytrain Station. Alternatively, you can drive to Coquitlam (it’s about 45 minutes from Downtown Vancouver) and park off Trevor Wingrove Way.
The lights will remain lit from dusk each night until 11pm.
Image courtesy of the City of Coquitlam
The fantastic display, made up of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, will wrap itself entirely around the lake, taking you on a 1.2-kilometre loop through 10 themed zones. The lights are set up outside, so make sure to dress for the weather!
Fun fact: many of the lights have been made by Coquitlam community members, often using recycled materials. For example, tulip lights were hand-crafted out of pop bottles and lotus blossoms out of milk jugs.
If you’re extra keen to see the lights, you can join in on the magic of opening night at the Lower Mainland’s largest free outdoor lights display. On opening night (November 25), there will be a special pre-lighting event from 2:30pm – 5:30pm with a few festive extras:
- Roving performers
- Free hot chocolate and treats
- Crafts
- Photos with Santa
- A holiday market
- Choirs
- Holiday-themed photo booth
Note: these extras are only supplied on the opening night of the display. The big light up will happen at 5:30pm. More details about opening night are listed on the City of Coquitlam website.
Image courtesy of the City of Coquitlam
If you can’t make it to opening night, you can consider ‘Jingle Bells Night‘ being held on Friday, December 22, 2017. The event aims to break the previous record of 500 singing voices. Choirs will be stationed around the 1.2-km trail from 7 – 8 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., stop where you are and join in a high-spirited community sing-a-long of Jingle Bells.
The lights themselves will remain lit each night until January 21, 2018, so you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the display!
Lights at Lafarge Details
Dates: Saturday, November 25, 2017 – Thursday, January 18, 2018
Time: Each evening from dusk until 11:00pm (except for New Year’s Eve, where the lights will stay on until midnight)
Location: Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way
Cost: Free!