An estimated 3,200 people bought tickets for the first weekend (Friday, Dec. 1 to Sun day, Dec. 2) of the Christmas event that has applied movie magic to the Aldergrove standing outdoor sets, transforming them into what Martini Film Studios CEO Gemma Martini described as a 鈥渨inter wonderland.鈥�
Following a preview on Wednesday, Nov. 29, Martini said some adjustments were made to shorten lineups at the cafe, as well add lighting and signs to make it easier to navigate the site.
鈥漌e are grateful to have an opportunity to make improvements every night,鈥� Martini commented.
鈥淥ne more thing that we did was add the opportunity to purchase tickets as gifts,鈥� Martini added. 鈥淲e had so many people ask.
Built in 2020 and operated by Langley鈥檚 Martini Film Studios, the backlot occupies approximately six acres of a 17-acre site on 272nd Street south of 16th Avenue.
It includes everything from a New York-style street, a movie theatre with a lit marquee, coffee shop, urban alley, courthouse, diner, and a quaint small town square, all now lavishly appointed with Christmas lights and decorations.
There is food, live music, and Santa will be on hand as well.
It has been a popular place for Hallmark movies, with posters of some productions on view at the movie theatre.
鈥淲e have six posters of the 19 films that we鈥檝e done in the last two years with Hallmark,鈥� Martini remarked.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really proud of that.鈥�
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Attention to detail includes holiday-themed window displays in the false-front stores, and newspaper boxes with papers bearing holiday-centric headlines: 鈥淪leigh stalls over labour dispute: Local Reindeer Union in Negotiation with North Pole,鈥� said the main above the fold article on one paper, next to 鈥淢artini Town Lights up Valley.鈥�
Another mocked-up newspaper fronted with 鈥淪anta Exists鈥� as the top story, with a supplemental front page piece about 鈥淓lf accused of running illegal Toy Workshop鈥�
The Martini Town Merry and Bright event will be open Wednesdays to Sundays until Jan. 1 (as well as Boxing Day and New Year鈥檚 Day) with tickets purchased in advance at , and a portion of proceeds going to the Langley Food Bank.
There will be no gate sales.
Adults pay $22, seniors $18, children 6-12 $12 (six years and under free) and a family pack (two adults, two kids) goes for $60.
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