Merry & Bright festive extravaganza returns to the Fraser Valley

LANGLEY — The Merry & Bright Christmas holiday extravaganza featuring festive facades and authentic backdrops is making a return to the Fraser Valley again this year.

The Hollywood-style backlot at Martini Town has been transformed into a festive spectacle replete with Christmas holiday decorations, expanded sets and new seasonal attractions. Visitors to Merry & Bright will get a chance to experience the wonder at the unique outdoor film set often seen in popular movies and TV series productions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors to our Langley, B.C. backlot for this year’s Merry & Bright at Martini Town,” says Gemma Martini, CEO of Martini Film Studios. “This event offers a unique opportunity to experience joyful sights and sounds in a town designed, built and decorated by BC’s talented film crews. We’re proud of what our industry creates, and it’s a pleasure to share a bit of that magic with our community — inviting guests to step into the wonder of a Christmas movie.”

Attendees are invited to don their seasonal apparel and bask in photos in a set that comes perfectly dressed up with “snow” every 30 minutes from a film effect snow machine producing picturesque flurries. While the Merry & Bright setup takes place in an outdoor setting, a large clear-roofed tent will cover the Town Square this year, replicating a quaint ambience in which to enjoy snacks and hot drinks from the expanded Martini Café and watch performances.

Additional food options include returning food trucks like Texas Smoke BBQ, Mini Donuts and Urban Wood Fired Pizza, along with a new addition — Tacosaurus. A new sheltered area, with tables and chairs, near the food truck zone provides a comfy spot to sit and eat. Plus, a vintage Airstream trailer housing the Candy Curio, featuring sweet treats including fresh cotton candy (weather permitting!) will be open this year.

Daily performances by The Dimes and Victorian carolers are bolstered by an alternating array of local musicians. Santa Claus will also visit nightly appearances right up through to December 22.

This year’s Market Lane (housed in a heated, enclosed tent) is open every day of Merry & Bright and will feature a variety of artisans and businesses: some who will remain throughout the season, and others on weekly rotation, for your repeat holiday shopping trips and inspiration.

A portion of all proceeds from Merry & Bright will be donated to the Langley Food Bank — just some of the ways Martini Film Studios is a good neighbour in its community, all year-round.

The venue is open every Wednesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting December 4 until January 5. Find the full schedule at martinievents.ca. The location is 1123 272 Street in Langley.