Prince Rupert celebrating the holidays with Christmas tree made out of crab traps

British Columbia·NewPrince Rupert residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair — instead of decking the halls, they’re stacking crab traps to create a tree on the docks of Rushbrook Marina. The towering display of more than 160 traps is complete with lights, ornaments and decorations.Made of more than 160 traps, it’s the second year of a new holiday tradition for Prince RupertTom Summer · CBC News · Posted: Dec 05, 2025 7:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 30 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The crab trap tree on the docks of the Rushbrook Harbour in Prince Rupert. Area A Crab Association executive Chelsey Ellis says the tree is an East Coast tradition now being brought to the West Coast. (Sumi Ragu/CBC)Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair. Instead of decking the halls, they’re stacking crab traps to create a tree on the docks of Rushbrook Marina. A towering display of more 160 traps, complete with lights, ornaments and decorations, the 30-foot (9.1-metre) tree is part of a holiday festival kicking off this week, called Winterfest. Area A Crab Association executive director Chelsey Ellis, originally from Prince Edward Island, says lobster trap trees are a tradition there.Last year, she was inspired to recreate the East Coast idea on the West Coast. “I thought that it would work really well over here. And look how stackable those crab traps are,” said Ellis. “It’s just a really great way to celebrate, you know, the fishing community and sort of what it means to the town.”The lit-up crab trap tree in 2024. The tree has been built again for a second year thanks to community efforts. (Submitted by Chelsey Ellis)Area A is an official designation for a commercial fishing area that includes Prince Rupert, with the association representing fishermen there.The tree was built with the generosity of crab harvesters lending their traps. Four boats lent traps for this year’s tree, with one crew helping to stack them. “I think the hardest part is the harvesters who actually had to build the tree the whole week before we started doing the fun job of decorating it,” Ellis said. Chelsey Ellis and volunteers lay decorations on the stacked crab traps. The traps were loaned by four boats in the harbour to build the ocean-themed tree, a tradition started in 2024. (Sumi Ragu/CBC)The tree is topped with a giant metal crab named Disco instead of a star. The crab was crafted and donated by Harbour Machining, and it is an anatomically correct crustacean creation. Tourism Prince Rupert executive director Jaimie Angus says building the tree has become a beloved coastal tradition. “This project has become a symbol of community pride and coastal heritage. Each year, it will stand as a bright beacon for our fishermen as they return home to Prince Rupert for the holidays,” he said in an email.In its second year of existence, the Winterfest event will have a hot chocolate bar, a community bonfire, and an appearance by Santa Claus.The festival has seen a noticeable change in the last year, explained Ellis, with a small event now being transformed into a larger community celebration.“With this amazing group that has been working together, it hasn’t been too challenging. It’s been amazing.” ABOUT THE AUTHORTom Summer is a reporter for CBC News in Fort St. John. Born and raised in the Peace Country, he previously reported for the Alaska Highway News, covering community issues, courts, municipal politics, and Site C, while travelling across Northeast B.C. working on the traditional territory of Treaty 8 First Nations. You can reach him at tom.summer@cbc.caWith files from Sumi Ragu and Daybreak North