Surrey tree lighting, Eastside Culture Crawl and more events to check out in Metro Vancouver this weekend

Surrey's 2024 Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market is seen in this photo provided by the city.

The City of Surrey is hosting its annual tree lighting and several holiday markets and craft fairs are taking place this weekend as Metro Vancouver gets into the Christmas spirit. Here are some events to check out:

Surrey Tree Lighting Festival

The main event takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday, when the City of Surrey will officially light its 60-foot Christmas tree in Civic Plaza.

The 15th annual Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market includes much more than that, however, with two days of live music, light displays, amusement rides, photos with Santa and—for the first time in the event’s history—an outdoor ice skating rink.

The free festival takes place from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and a full list of offerings can be found on its website.

29th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl

East Vancouver’s annual celebration of visual art begins Thursday and runs through Sunday, with more than 500 artists opening their studios to the public.

A variety of exhibits, installations, demos and workshops have also been scheduled during the four-day festival.

Open studio hours will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A map of participating artists, schedule of events and much more information can be found on the Eastside Culture Crawl website.

Canyon Lights

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park has once again been decked out with millions of twinkling lights for the attraction’s annual Canyon Lights event.

Joining the display this year is “Wildlight,” a 3D light projection bringing forest creatures including black bears, coyotes and great horned owls to life alongside the traditional holiday lights.

Debuting Friday and running through Jan. 18, Canyon Lights is included with the price of admission or an annual pass.

Festive Village at Burnaby Village Museum

The Burnaby Village Museum in Deer Lake Park is also bringing back its seasonal celebrations this weekend.

"Festive Village" returns on Saturday and continues through Jan. 2, though the attraction will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Admission is free and guests are welcome to wander through the village’s 10 acres and enjoy festive lights and decorations, seasonal entertainment and activities centred around the theme of “sports and games.”

Merry and Bright at Martini Town

A Langley film studio that has been a filming location for a variety of Christmas movies is once again opening its “Martini Town” back lot to the public

Merry and Bright at Martini Town aims to immerse visitors in the “dreamy holiday vibe” of their favourite Christmas films, according to organizers.

The event runs from Nov. 21 through Dec. 31 at the studio lot on 272 Street south of Aldergrove. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the event’s website.

Holiday markets and craft fairs

More than half a dozen festive markets and fairs are scheduled for this weekend. Below is a rundown of the dates and times of some of the notable ones, with links to each event for more information.

• Made in the 604 Vancity Foodie Fest: Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Shipyards’ Pipe Shop Venue, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
• Dunbar Holiday Craft Fair: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar St., Vancouver
• Brock House Winter Fair: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brock House, 3875 Point Grey Rd., Vancouver
• Musqueam Christmas Craft Fair: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Musqueam Community Centre, 6777 Salish Dr., Vancouver
• iMade Local Pop Up Market: Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Fort Langley Community Hall, 9167 Glover Rd., Fort Langley. Additional markets scheduled through Dec. 14
• Eastside Flea Holiday Market: Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Astorino’s Hall, 1739 Venables St., Vancouver. Additional markets scheduled through Dec. 14
• Got Craft Holiday Market: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr., Vancouver. Additional markets scheduled Nov. 29 and 30.
• Scandinavian Craft Fair: Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby

For the sports fans: Whitecaps sell out, Goldeneyes debut

It’s another big sports weekend in Vancouver, with a sellout crowd of more than 53,000 expected at B.C. Place on Saturday for the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Western Conference Semi-final match against LAFC. A win would see the ‘Caps advance to Major League Soccer’s Western Conference Final for the first time in team history.

This weekend also marks the debut of the Vancouver Goldeneyes, who will take to the ice for the first time at Pacific Coliseum on Friday at 7 p.m. against fellow PWHL debutants the Seattle Torrent.

The Canucks and Giants are also in action this weekend. The WHL club hosts the Tri-City Americans on Saturday at 7 p.m., while the Canucks will take on the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena at 6 p.m. Sunday

With files from MOVE 103.5’s Leanne McLaren