Christmas Boat Light Festival
Experience a Nordic-inspired Christmas at Silva Bay Marina on December 13th. Enjoy festive food, warm drinks, live music, and the dazzling Boat Light Show as decorated vessels illuminate the bay. Gather with family and friends, explore the market, and celebrate the holidays by the bay.
Claim Your Free Tickets Below
Boat Light Show
22 boats are registered for our Light Decoration Contest! Vote for your favourite boat at the event.
Santa Photos
Meet Santa starting at 3 PM! Donate to PHC Gabriola for your festive portrait. Digital copies are emailed right to you.
Food & Beverage
3 food trucks and 11 vendors from various categories will bring festive cheer and a joyful Christmas spirit.
Flying Santa
Experience Santa's Grand Arrival by floatplane! Partnering with Gulf Island Seaplane, the Official Air Carrier of Santa Claus, watch him land right at the marina at 2:30 PM.
Event Map
FAQ
Admission to the 2025 festival is free, but you need to claim your ticket on Eventbrite. Bring your family and friends for a festive evening by the water. Donations are welcome and will go to People for a Healthy Community on Gabriola to support local programs.
All participants must enter the festival from South Road. Please follow event signage and staff direction upon arrival.
By ferry: Take BC Ferries from Nanaimo (Departure Bay or Duke Point) to Gabriola Island.
By float plane: Gulf Island Seaplanes offers direct charter flights from Vancouver International Airport to Silva Bay Marina.
By private boat/yacht: Sail into Silva Bay Marina. If you plan to do this, please radio the marina on VHF channel 66A in advance.
On-island transport: Once on Gabriola, you can use the local “Gertie” community bus to get around.
Taxi: Gabriola Taxi is also available; you can book ahead for pick-ups at the ferry terminal.
The event runs from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, and visitors are welcome to enjoy the marina lights until 8:00 PM.
We suggest bringing a lifejacket for added safety while enjoying the festival from the dock at night.
Parking is limited—carpooling with friends and family is recommended. For full parking details, visit Parking & Directions. Washrooms are available on-site; just follow the event signs to find them.
The Christmas Boat Light Festival is pet friendly! Bring your furry friends to enjoy the holiday fun. Please keep pets on a leash, clean up after them, and bring them at your own comfort level.
If you’d like to volunteer, please contact marketing@silvabay.com for more details.
Reach out to us at marketing@silvabay.com to become a sponsor! Your support helps us offer free admission to the market. Even if the festival is already underway, we’re excited to welcome new sponsors. Get your brand featured on our social media and printed materials and help us make this holiday season unforgettable!
No dress code is required, but we suggest wearing festive or Christmas-themed outfits to get into the holiday spirit!
Contact Us
Whether you’re an attendee joining our holiday celebration, a vendor spreading festive cheer, or a boater entering the boat contest, we’d love to hear from you! Send us your questions or inquiries and let’s make this season magical together.
