On Dec 14, 2025, we held our 5th annual Light up the Night in Champlain Heights festival!
Despite rainy weather, over 70 local residents gathered together at the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden. The event began with a welcome blessing by Musqueam artist Nova Wolf. Then The Carnival Band led a procession through the Champlain Heights trails. During the procession, there was a special dance performance led by Veronica Beston, with support from her mother Carla Beston. Beautiful lanterns illuminated the trails and everyone enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies baked by local residents.
Our 2025 partner aritsts included: Adele Neuman, Andrew Tuline, Catherine Munn, Kiki Nombrado, Sharin Ali, Sydney Burstein, and Diana More. We also had previous partner artists bring back lanterns to display: Andrea Papineau, Erin Knock, Joe Boyd, Megan Chursinoff, and Orlando Marchetto.
The event was spearheaded by Free the Fern Executive Director, Grace Nombrado, and was made possible thanks to the amazing volunteers who came earlier on the day to help with lantern set-up. Volunteers included: Andrea, Connor, Connie, Genevieve, Kiki, Liam, Robin, Matt, Meley, and Veronika. Many of these volunteers, along with artist Joe Boyd, also stayed to help with clean-up at the end of the event.
We are grateful to MLA George Chow for providing some funding to support the purchase of hot chocolate for the event.
Due to funding and capacity limitations, this may be the last year that we are able to run a Light up the Night in Champlain Heights event. So, we wish to extend a big thank you to all the volunteers, artists, and supporters who have made the festival possible over the past 5 years. It has been a true labour of love for the community!
