Holiday events with BC Transit 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, December 2, 2023. The parade starts at Chilliwack Secondary School on Yale Road and wraps up on College Street and Young Road. Transit will be free on December 2 and there will be additional service on Route 51 Vedder, starting at 3:30 p.m. to accommodate those headed to the parade.

Saturday, December 2

5:30 p.m.

Cowichan Valley – The Ladysmith Lights Parade is taking place on November 30 as part of the annual Festival of Lights. The parade will travel down First Avenue starting at 6:40 p.m. between Methuen Street and Aggie Hall.

Thursday, November 30

6:40 p.m.

The Ladysmith Festival of Lights Tour will take place on December 8, 2023. This is a free event and the seats on the BC Transit bus are first come, first served.

Pick up/Drop off locations and departure times:

• Village Green Mall – 6:30 p.m.

• Duncan Train Station – 6:32 p.m.

• Cowichan Commons – 6:40 p.m.

• Mt. Brenton Golf Course – 6:55 p.m.

• Ladysmith – 7:25 p.m.

Creston – The annual Creston Tour of Lights is taking place on December 18, 20 and 22. A bus will pick passengers up at the Creston and District Community Complex at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to take an hour tour around the community to view all the Christmas lights. The fare to ride is just $1.00. For more details and a full map, click here.

Monday, December 18

Wednesday, December 20

Friday, December 22

Kamloops – On Saturday, December 2, and Sunday December 3, 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 Columbia Place-Sahali Save-On-Foods store.

Saturday, December 2

Sunday, December 3

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Seniors’ Light Tour is being held on December 7, 2023. This free annual event is open to all Seniors aged 55 plus. Full details and registration for the tour is available here.

Thursday, December 7

6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Kelowna – The 21^st annual Santa Bus will take place in Kelowna from December 3 – 9, 2023. 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.

Transit will be free on Saturdays in December in Kelowna.

Merritt – The Merritt Lights Tour will be running from December 14 – 16 this year. Tickets are $5.00 and must be reserved by calling 250-378-4080. Riders will meet the bus at Merritt City Hall, 2185 Voght Stret ahead of the 6 p.m. departure time.

Thursday, December 14 – Saturday, December 16

6 p.m.

Port Alberni – Help make the holidays a little easier for our neighbours by taking part in the Stuff the Bus event on December 2, 2023. A BC Transit bus will be parked outside the Wal Mart from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. with volunteers collecting donations for the Salvation Army.

Saturday, December 2

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Powell River – Leave your car at home and take transit for only 25 cents! On December 8 rural customers can ride the bus for 25 cents, and 25 cents on fixed-route transit on both December 8 and 9.

The Santa Bus comes to town on Friday December 15 and Saturday, December 16, 2023. Join Santa on the bus for some holiday music and pick up a free candy cane.

Prince George – Food for Fare returns this season! 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 4 – Wednesday, December 6, 2023

All Day

Prince Rupert – BC Transit has just made finishing up your holiday shopping a little easier in Prince Rupert! Friday level service will be available on Thursdays, December 7, 14 and 21 for all conventional routes.

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 4p.m.

South Okanagan-Similkameen – Join in on the Magic on Main Street in Penticton on Sunday, December 3, 2023. There will be a free shuttle every 30 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.

Sunday, December 3

4 p.m. – 7:20 p.m.

The Penticton Lights Tour is taking place again this holiday season. On December 13, board the bus (no fare required) at any of the four stops along the way and enjoy a tour of Christmas lights around Penticton.

Scheduled stops include:

• 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)

• Peachtree (6:45 p.m, 8:00 p.m)

Wednesday, December 13

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Help Stuff the Bus in Princeton this holiday season. On December 1, 2023, bring a non-perishable food item, toys, or cash to donate to the Princeton Christmas Hamper and the Princeton Food Bank. The bus will be located at the BC Transit office, 120 Veteran’s Blvd.

Friday, December 1

3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

For more information about trip planning, schedules and to sign up for customer alerts for your local transit system, please visit bctransit.com

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