It’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed when the holiday season arrives. There are countless activities and attractions around and choosing the best ones for you and your family isn’t always easy. But this year, why not slow down, gather everyone together and discover a sparkling festive tradition that still feels like a hidden gem––even though it’s the biggest of its kind in B.C.

 

Marking its 39th edition on December 6, the gigantic Mission Candlelight Parade typically attracts thousands of giddy Christmas fans to a downtown core that’s just over an hour’s drive from Vancouver. The annual spectacular features a fleet of illuminated floats, hundreds of costumed participants, a playlist of holly jolly music––and a much-anticipated finale appearance by a certain red-robed superstar.

 

B.C.’S BIGGEST  

 

Launched in 1983 and organized by the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce, the fun-tastic seasonal event has grown over the decades to become the largest holiday street parade in B.C. But despite its impressively merry magnitude, it still feels like the kind of warm and welcoming community celebration that Christmas is all about––which is quite an achievement, considering the logistics of the 2025 edition.

 

This year’s procession will see more than 110 floats and trucks rolling along downtown’s First Avenue stretch. And since this is an evening parade (it starts at 6:00pm), each vehicle will be festooned with twinkling lights––as well as playing their own selections of seasonal music. For spectators, that means around 90 minutes of non-stop Yuletide thrills as everyone from local businesses to dance troupes and from area schools to first-responder teams (flashing fire trucks included) rolls past.

 

FANTASTIC FLOATS

 

What kind of vehicles might you see? Last’s year’s parade included everything from illuminated tractors to a mobile football pitch to a winking array of truck-mounted winter wonderlands. There were also decorated radio-controlled cars, a vintage horse-drawn carriage and even some much-loved therapy dogs from St. John’s Ambulance. Just remember: if you want to capture some great snapshot memories on the night, adjust your phone or camera settings accordingly.

 

As the parade unfurls, it might seem like everyone in Mission is taking part. But immediate locals aren’t the only ones involved. Every year, participants from Chilliwack to Maple Ridge and beyond also sign up. In fact, 2025 will see the return of one particularly popular crowd favourite. Abbotsford’s 90-person MEI Screaming Eagles Marching Band is back––and they’ll be entertaining spectators once again with their energetic, toe-tapping renditions of beloved Christmas tunes.

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

 

The audience––typically around 12,000-strong––also includes lots of out-of-town visitors. Many will be arriving from communities across Metro Vancouver, while others will be travelling from Vancouver Island, the US and beyond just to be here on the big day. And many of these spectators––including adults who came here as kids and are now returning with their own children––will be keen to take part in one of the parade’s most popular special traditions.

 

Every year, volunteers hand out thousands of glowing flameless candles, enabling enthusiastic spectators to join in the magic of the evening by waving their little lights as the procession rolls past––think of it as the visual equivalent of a hearty cheer. The candles create a shimmering spectacle along the route as well as a chestnut-warming connection between the audience and the smiling paraders.

 

COSTUME-PALOOZA

 

Many of this year’s parade participants will also be dressed-up in colourful, carefully chosen holiday costumes. Snowmen and penguins as well as ice queens and red-nosed reindeers are not unusual––and last year saw a record-breaking 14 Grinches cavorting along the route! In fact, there is only one major rule about what procession participants can wear: Santa costumes are not allowed. And there’s a very good reason for that.

 

As the parade draws to its conclusion each year, a growing sense of excitement spreads through the crowd. That’s because Santa himself––sitting in his snow-framed sleigh and joined by a waving Mrs Claus––always fills the final guest spot in the procession. It’s not for us to say whether or not he’s the real Santa, of course, but we’ve never seen a better-looking one. And that beard, those rosy cheeks and that warm, welcoming and ever-beaming smile will certainly make you believe.

 

IF YOU GO

 

The 2025 Mission Candlelight Parade takes place on December 6. Dress warmly and in layers, and consider bringing a non-perishable food item for the local St. Joseph’s Food Bank, which will be collecting en route.

 

The parade starts at 6:00pm but you should arrive earlier to enjoy the roaming carollers, photo-ready selfie station, hot chocolate and warm apple cider as well as downtown’s Christmas-decorated shop windows. And be sure to book ahead if you want to dine at one of Mission’s excellent restaurants.

 

If you’re driving, note that Mission’s downtown streets will be closed from 3:00pm onwards—we recommend parking in the West Coast Express parking lot on nearby North Railway Avenue.