Newton’s Winter Wonderland returns as Bright Nights in Cloverdale, spreading holiday joy and supporting BC’s Burn Fund until Dec. 28.
Newton’s Legendary Winter Wonderland Returns
The sparkle of Newton’s famous Winter Wonderland is lighting up Surrey once again—but this time, it’s in Cloverdale. The magic started back in the mid-1980s at the Newton home of Marg Barrett and Bob Wingfield, whose love for Christmas transformed their house into a dazzling spectacle enjoyed by thousands each December.
What began as a family passion soon became a community treasure. With firefighters helping collect donations, the display raised funds for Vancouver General Hospital’s burn unit and other local causes. By 1997, the display had outgrown the Newton cul-de-sac, and its lights were moved to Stanley Park to form the Bright Nights fundraiser a beloved holiday tradition that lasted until 2024.
From Family Tradition to Community Celebration
For Kim Houghton, Barrett’s daughter, the Winter Wonderland was more than just lights it was an unforgettable part of her childhood. “Mom was absolutely crazy about Christmas,” Houghton recalls, laughing. “Our Christmases were huge. You couldn’t even see the tree for all the gifts!”
When Marg moved in with Bob, the decorating passion escalated. Inside the home, rooms overflowed with festive decor, and outside, lights stretched across their lot. Even prickly trees got adorned with strings of lights thanks in part to help from local firefighters. Neighbors began pitching in to help cover the growing hydro bills, but Barrett and Wingfield always insisted the joy of Christmas, not money, was the real motive.
A Holiday Extravaganza That Gave Back
Over the years, the couple’s home became a hub for generosity. They raised more than $600,000 in early 1990s dollars through creative fundraising: Santa photo ops, giant cookies, postcards of the house, and festive decorations for sale. “They never stopped thinking of ways to help the burn unit while spreading Christmas cheer,” says Houghton.
Even turning on the lights was an event. With over 300,000 lights across multiple panels, switching everything on could involve several trips outside. A single donation could trigger an entire display to illuminate delighting visitors and boosting funds for charity.
Bright Nights Finds a New Home in Cloverdale
Eventually, the scale of the Winter Wonderland and the traffic it drew became too much for Marg and Bob, who wanted to enjoy quieter winters in Arizona. Their lights were relocated to Stanley Park, where Bright Nights thrived for decades.
Now, the legacy comes full circle. Cloverdale Fairgrounds hosts The Magic of Bright Nights as part of the Noel Surrey holiday festival until Dec. 28, raising funds for the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund. Kim Houghton shares the family’s excitement: “When they told us it was coming back to Surrey, I just thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s coming home.’”
Though Marg and Bob have passed, their spirit lives on through the lights and the joy they continue to bring. “The cause has stayed the same,” says Sarah Houghton. “It’s about making people happy, loving the lights, and supporting good causes.”
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