Stanley Park Bright Nights Shortage

Vancouver's beloved Stanley Park Bright Nights event has seen its tickets vanish in less than 24 hours after they went on sale. The annual holiday lights attraction is known for drawing huge crowds, but this year, the demand has broken records.

Ticket Sales Experience

Tickets became available online at noon on Friday, but eager fans faced a frustrating experience. Many reported waiting for hours in digital queues only to be kicked out due to technical difficulties. By 9 a.m. on Saturday, the Stanley Park Railway announced via Facebook that all tickets were sold out, acknowledging the lengthy wait times and issues faced by potential buyers.

Technical Difficulties

"Our ticket provider encountered significant technical difficulties due to an overwhelming volume of users attempting to access the ticketing site," the Stanley Park Railway noted. They explained that the website was temporarily paused to manage the influx, resulting in delays that were beyond what they had anticipated.

Community Frustration

The frustration from the community was palpable, with hundreds of comments echoing dissatisfaction on social media. One user, Lynette Tetlow, expressed disbelief: "It shouldn’t take hours to buy tickets online; the seller needs to be able to handle the volume of Vancouverites trying to purchase."

Record Demand

Showpass, the company responsible for ticket sales, reported that over 100,000 users attempted to access the site simultaneously—a staggering number even for past events. Katelyn Marchyshyn, a spokesperson for Showpass, admitted that while they had faced similar surges in previous years, this year's demand was unprecedented.

Assurances from Showpass

Despite the issues, Marchyshyn reassured the public that Showpass is equipped to handle ticket sales, attributing the chaos to the specific setup for this year's on-sale event. She expressed gratitude for users' patience amid the turmoil, reminding them that both Showpass and the Stanley Park Railway are dedicated to serving fans.

Continuing Festivities

Even though tickets are sold out, holiday cheer will still be in full swing at the Stanley Park Bright Nights display. The festive light show and various activities will be open to the public during event hours, with a voluntary donation requested to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund—meaning festive fun can continue for everyone, with or without tickets!

Future Ticket Sales

Mark your calendars for the next ticket sales! You won't want to miss out on the magic of Stanley Park's holiday season!