This year’s Sail Past Celebration is joining the ƛuukʷatquuʔis Harbour Quay Light-Up!
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley and the City of Port Alberni are thrilled to announce the merging of two of the Valley’s most beloved seasonal traditions, the Harbour Quay Light-Up and the great Sail Past! The event takes place Friday, November 28 at the Harbour Quay, the Nuu-chah-nulth name ƛuukʷatquuʔis, meaning Wolf Ritual Beach. We are proud to recognize the cultural significance and deep connections of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath Nations to this area where the celebration takes place.
This festive, family-friendly event is free to attend and packed with activities for all ages! Visitors can enjoy the light display, light parades, live music, a complimentary BBQ hosted by V9Y Catering, hot chocolate and candy, and late-night shopping at the Mistletoe Market inside The Grove Gallery. As well, hop aboard the festive APR Holiday Train for just $5 per ride, complete with a cheerful visit from Santa. There will be more as well - check out the full list on our website, alberniarts.com/harbour-quay-light-up
The evening kicks off with an Opening Ceremony at 4:00 PM, honouring the Tseshaht and Hupacasath Nations. Following the ceremony, the local ADSS Band and local choirs will be joining us to sing up to the tree lighting at 5:15 PM. This year, we will be lighting a ‘forever tree’ at the waterfront park, replacing the usual cut tree in the Harbour Quay roundabout. This is the first year of the lighting of the ‘forever tree’, which will be used for generations to come!
The lighting of the tree will be quickly followed by the start of the Sail Past at 5:30 PM, where festively lit boats will cruise through the inlet. Spectators can vote for their favourite decorated vessel before the evening ends with fireworks at 6:45 PM and an afterparty and awards celebration at the Blue Marlin Inn starting at 8:00 PM.
Boat owners are invited to take part in the Sail Past and compete for prizes, including a grand prize of $1,000. To register your vessel, stop by the Blue Marlin Inn or call (250) 731-4320 by November 25th. Community groups, volunteers, and local businesses are invited to participate in this year's event by hosting an activity, setting up a booth, or lending a hand behind the scenes. To get involved, or for more information about accessibility, please contact the Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley at
aW5mbyB8IGFsYmVybmlhcnRzICEgY29t or (250) 724-3412
Also check out other Music events in Port Alberni, Entertainment events in Port Alberni.
