14 Surprising Facts About Surrey BC You Didn’t Know

by Alex Dunbar

14 Surprising Facts About Surrey, BC You Didn’t Know

When most people think of British Columbia, their mind instantly goes to Vancouver. But there’s another city that’s quickly gaining attention—Surrey, BC.

So, what exactly is making Surrey the talk of the town? In this article, we’ll uncover 14 fascinating facts about Surrey that might just surprise you.

Let’s dive in!

1. Surrey is Home to Canada’s First Kabaddi Stadium

Surrey is home to Canada’s first Kabaddi stadium, highlighting the city’s strong South Asian community.

For those unfamiliar, Kabaddi is a high-energy sport originating from India, combining wrestling and tag. Players take turns sending a "raider" into the opponent’s side to tag as many players as possible—without taking a breath!

This sport is deeply rooted in Indian culture, and Surrey’s dedication to Kabaddi is a testament to the diversity and vibrancy of the community.

2. Surrey Hosts One of Canada’s Largest Canada Day Events

Every year, Surrey’s Canada Day celebration is one of the biggest in the country! Held at the Bill Reid Amphitheater in Cloverdale, this event attracts over 100,000 people annually.

🎆 What to Expect:
✔ Live music & entertainment
✔ Games & rides
✔ Massive fireworks display

For special occasions like Canada’s 150th birthday, the celebrations become even grander. Just make sure you arrive early—parking fills up fast!

3. Lady Gaga Performed in Surrey Before She Was Famous

In 2008, before she became a global superstar, Lady Gaga performed in Surrey at The Mirage Nightclub.

🎟 Ticket price? Just $25!

Considering that today’s Lady Gaga concert tickets can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, this was an absolute steal for those lucky enough to attend.

4. Surrey is One of the Largest Cities in BC

At 317 square kilometers, Surrey is the third-largest city in BC by land area, behind Prince George and Abbotsford.

In fact, Surrey is about 2.5 times the size of Vancouver—and unlike Vancouver, it still has plenty of land for future development.

5. Surrey Will Soon Be BC’s Largest City

Surrey’s population is growing rapidly, with an estimated 600,000+ residents as of 2023.

📈 Projected Growth:
✔ 1,000+ new residents move to Surrey every month
✔ Surrey is expected to surpass Vancouver in population by 2030

Many people are choosing Surrey over Vancouver due to:
✔ More affordable housing
✔ Job opportunities
✔ A growing, dynamic urban environment

Surrey is not just growing—it’s thriving!

6. BC’s Largest Public School District is in Surrey

Education plays a huge role in Surrey’s development. The city is home to BC’s largest public school district—School District 36 (SD36).

📚 Surrey Schools by the Numbers:
✔ 125 schools
✔ 73,000+ students
✔ 10,000+ teachers & staff

This massive school system is preparing the next generation for a bright future.

7. Surrey is Home to the Guinness World Record for Longest Beard

Sarwan Singh, a Surrey resident, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest beard on a living male.

His beard was originally measured at 8 feet, 2.5 inches (2.495 meters) in 2010. However, he has since broken his own record multiple times, with his most recent measurement at 2.54 meters (8 feet, 4 inches)!

For Singh, his beard is more than just a record—it’s a symbol of faith as part of Sikh tradition.

8. The Name ‘Surrey’ Comes from England

Surrey, BC, was named after Surrey, UK, a county in southeast England known for its beautiful landscapes and historic sites.

The name was chosen because, just like in London, Surrey is located across the river from Westminster (New Westminster, BC).

9. Surrey is Metro Vancouver’s Gateway to the USA

Surrey is a major border crossing hub with two key entry points into the United States:

✔ Peace Arch Crossing – A symbol of US-Canada friendship, built in 1921
✔ Pacific Highway Truck Crossing – One of Canada’s busiest commercial crossings

If you frequently travel to the US, Surrey is one of the best places to live for easy access across the border.

10. Surrey is Older Than Vancouver

Many assume Vancouver is the older city, but Surrey was actually incorporated first in 1879, while Vancouver didn’t become an official city until 1886.

That means Surrey is seven years older than BC’s most famous city!

11. 35% of Surrey’s Land is Dedicated to Farming

Despite its rapid urban growth, Surrey still has deep agricultural roots, with 35% of its land dedicated to farming.

This means residents get the best of both worlds:
✔ Urban conveniences
✔ Locally grown fresh produce

Surrey’s farmland is a major contributor to BC’s food supply.

12. Surrey Hosts One of North America’s Largest Rodeos

Every May long weekend, Surrey is home to the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair—one of the largest rodeos in North America!

🏆 Ranked as:
✔ #3 Largest Rodeo in North America
✔ #2 Largest Rodeo in Canada (after Calgary Stampede)

Beyond bull riding and barrel racing, the event features:
✔ Carnival rides & games
✔ Live country music
✔ Family-friendly attractions

And if you’re wondering where to find me during the rodeo—check the Longhorn Saloon 🍻!

13. Surrey Was Home to Superman (Kind Of!)

The hit TV series Smallville, which told the story of young Clark Kent before he became Superman, was filmed right here in Cloverdale!

Cloverdale’s small-town charm made it the perfect stand-in for Superman’s hometown of Smallville.

Even today, Cloverdale is a hotspot for filming—so don’t be surprised if you see movie crews around town!

14. Surrey’s Future is Bright

With massive growth, new infrastructure, and economic development, Surrey is on track to become a major Canadian city.

🏗 Key Developments Coming Soon:
✔ New UBC Surrey Campus
✔ SkyTrain extension to Langley (by 2029)
✔ Continued expansion of parks & community centers

Surrey isn’t just a suburb of Vancouver—it’s becoming a major city in its own right.