Holiday events across the province

BC Transit and its partners are celebrating the holidays with events in communities across the province. From parades and light tours to special events to help us stuff a bus, there is no shortage of activities this holiday season.  

Chilliwack – The annual City of Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade will take over the streets of downtown Chilliwack on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Detours will be in effect in the parade area from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Transit will be free on November 29 on all local routes, regular fares apply for Route 66 FVX, Route 71 Agassiz-Harrison and Route 72 Hope. There will be additional service on Route 51 Vedder to accommodate those headed to the parade. For full schedule, click here.  

Kamloops – On Saturday, December 6, and Sunday December 7, join BC Transit and the City of Kamloops and help Stuff the Bus! You can make someone’s holidays a little brighter by donating non-perishable food items to benefit the Kamloops Food Bank at the Sahali Save-On-Foods store.  

Saturday, December 6 

Sunday, December 7 

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  

The 49^th annual Seniors’ Light Tour will take place on December 12 from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. 

There will be a tour around town to see the best holiday lights in Kamloops. Following the tour, there will be a sing-a-long at the Sandman Centre.  

Kelowna – The 23rd annual Santa Bus will take place in Kelowna from December 7 – 13, 2025. During this time toys, food and cash donations will be collected on behalf of the Salvation Army’s Christmas Assistance Program. For the full schedule of events, click here.  

Merritt – The Merritt Lights Tour will be running from December 15 – 17 this year. Tickets are $5.00 and must be purchased by noon on the day of the tour. You can buy tickets by calling 250-378-4080. Children on laps are free.  

Once you have your tickets, riders will meet the bus at Merritt City Hall, 2185 Voght Stret ahead of the 6 p.m. departure time. This tour will last approximately two hours. All proceeds from the Lights Tour will go to the Merritt Food Bank.  

Monday, December 15 – Wednesday, December 17 

6 p.m.  

Penticton – Join in on the Magic on Main Street in Penticton on Sunday, November 30, 2025. Starting at 4 p.m., there will be a free shuttle every 15 minutes departing from three locations in the city, bringing passengers to the parade and the light-up ceremony. For a full schedule and pick-up locations, click here.  

The Holiday Lights Tour returns on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Board the bus for free at any of the four stops along the way and enjoy a tour of Christmas lights around Penticton.  

• Wade and Martin (6:30 p.m. & 7:45 p.m.)  

• Plaza (6:35 p.m. & 7:50 p.m)  

• Cherry Lane (6:40 p.m. & 7:55 p.m.) – Warren Avenue stop behind Save-On Foods  

• Peachtree (6:45 p.m. & 8 p.m.)  

For more information, click here.  

Port Alberni – Help make the holidays a little easier for our neighbours by taking part in the Stuff the Bus event on Saturday, November 29, 2025. A BC Transit bus will be parked outside the No Frills from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. with volunteers collecting donations for the Salvation Army.  

Saturday, November 29 

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Powell River – Leave your car at home and take transit for only 25 cents! On December 12 and December 13, you can ride the bus for 25 cents. This is valid on the following routes only: Route 1 Townsite/Wildwood, Route 2 Grief Point, Route 3 Upper Westview and Route 9 Brooks School. 

The Santa Bus comes to town on Friday December 19 and Saturday, December 20, 2025. Join Santa on the bus for some holiday music along the way! 

Prince George – Food for Fare is back for the holiday season from December 1 until December 3, 2025! Bring along a non-perishable food item and ride the bus for free. All donations will be given to the Prince George Salvation Army.  

Monday, December 1 – Wednesday, December 3 

All Day 

Prince Rupert – BC Transit is making finishing up your holiday shopping a little easier in Prince Rupert! Friday level service will be available every day from Monday December 15 until Wednesday, December 24, except Sunday, for all conventional routes.  

Princeton – Stuff the Bus returns to Princeton this holiday season! On Friday, November 28 from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. volunteers will be at Bridge Street Plaza collecting toys, gifts and nonperishable food items. All items collected will go to the Princeton Christmas Hamper program.   

Quesnel – Ride the bus for free on Christmas Eve in Quesnel. Whether you’re off getting a last-minute gift or just trying to get home for the holidays, all transit will be free in Quesnel, up until the last bus at 4 p.m. 

Summerland – The 38^th annual Summerland Festival of Lights is taking place on November 28, 2025. Free shuttles will be available starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Prairie Valley Road Tim Hortons and at 4:40 p.m. at the Sumac Ridge Golf and Country Club. Route 30 Penticton/Summerland will be affected by downtown road closures from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more details, click here. 

Vernon – On Saturday, December 6 the 2^nd annual Stuff the Bus event will take place at Vernon Square Safeway. A BC Transit bus will be on site from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and volunteers will be on hand to collect non-perishable food items and toys for the Salvation Army and Santa’s Anonymous.  

Media Contacts 

BC Transit Communications         

media@bctransit.com