Vancouver's Lights of Hope shines on Burrard for the last time: about 100,000 lights, a November 12 fireworks farewell

One of Vancouver's Christmas traditions of nearly three decades is saying goodbye — at least at its original home. St. Paul's Foundation's Lights of Hope display will light up the old St. Paul's Hospital on Burrard Street for the last time this year; an October 31 report says about 100,000 lights will shine for the final season at the downtown hospital, closing an era.

November 12 farewell lighting night: fireworks, music and a countdown

The farewell lighting celebration is set for Thursday, November 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. outside St. Paul's Hospital at 1081 Burrard Street. Organizers say the night will feature the lighting ceremony, live music, festive treats and a fireworks show, with the countdown between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Missing the night is not the end of it: the display will stay lit from November 12 through the holidays, so visitors can still catch it during the festive season.

Nearly three decades, nearly C$60 million: a fundraiser behind the lights

Lights of Hope has lit up St. Paul's Hospital every year since 1998, its giant star display long serving as one of the first signs of Christmas on Burrard Street. The foundation says the event has raised nearly C$60 million over almost three decades, funding essential medical equipment, research and quality of care across its hospitals and long-term care homes; setting up the display each year takes about 150 volunteers around a month and a half.

A new hospital in early 2027, and the celebration moves with it

The reason this is the final season is that the hospital itself is moving: the new St. Paul's Hospital at 1002 Station Street, on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus, is expected to open in early 2027, and the Lights of Hope celebration will move to the new site with it. The foundation is inviting the city to take one last look at the Burrard Street stars — next winter, the same lights will shine in a different neighbourhood.