Winter wonderland of lights and music comes to Burlington’s Royal Botanical Gardens

One of Burlington and Hamilton’s favourite holiday traditions is back with Winter Wonders at Royal Botanical Gardens.

From Nov. 23 to Jan. 7, Canada’s largest botanical garden transforms its Hendrie Park into a festive nighttime experience where guests can enjoy an array of gorgeous lights, check out interactive installations, and warm up with delicious food and warm drinks.

Winter Wonders is on every Thursday to Sunday until Jan. 7, 2024. Space is limited, so those interested in visiting are encouraged to grab tickets soon.

Here’s everything to expect when visiting Winter Wonders:

A walk through a magical winter wonderland

Guests are invited to embark on a journey down a 1.5 km trail that has been adorned with charming lights, festive music, magical displays and interactive installations. Walk through rows of breathtaking light sculptures, or speak through the “singing tree” and watch it light up as it reacts to your voice!

With so many beautiful sights along these picturesque garden pathways, Winter Wonders is a fantastic holiday outing to enjoy with friends and family, as well as an intimate setting that’s perfect for a romantic date night.

It’s not just an outdoor experience – after the walk, come in from the cold and enjoy the indoor seasonal displays. Pass through the Breezeway and explore the beautiful and warmly lit Mediterranean Garden, and be sure to check out the huge Botanical Train display, where 700 kg of cedar filled with 2,500 plants create a seasonal backdrop for seven different lines of model train tracks and scale models of iconic Canadian landmarks.

Festive food and drinks

The team at Royal Botanical Gardens will be serving a rotating menu of festive snacks and warm drinks at three stations along the walk, perfect for warming up during a cold winter night.

Savoury food options include burgers, hotdogs, poutines and wraps, while a variety of snacks will also be available including popcorn, cookies, cotton candy and candy apples.

As for drinks, sip on something hot with The Great One (coffee or hot chocolate with Wayne Gretzky Canadian cream, whipped cream, and candy cane topping) or choose from their selection of tea, ciders, wines, beer and more. Guests can grab drinks at the indoor atrium bar before heading out on the walk, or at either of the stations along the way.

Live entertainment and more at RBG

Adding to the sights and sounds of Winter Wonders is a lineup of regular live music and performers for guests to enjoy, making each night of the event even more special.

For those planning a regular day trip to Royal Botanical Gardens, the trip isn’t complete without the RBG Express, which is ready to take guests on a relaxing train ride through the gardens. Not only is it fun, it’s a great opportunity to snap some pics and videos for your socials!

After the visit, guests can stop by the gift shop to pick up a souvenir from the event or find that perfect holiday gift. The Shop at the Gardens features an ever-changing selection of home décor, jewelry, fashion, gardening tools, nature books and much more.

As the biggest botanical garden in all of Canada, Royal Botanical Gardens feature 2,400 acres of gardens and beautiful nature spanning Burlington and Hamilton.

The gorgeous sights and array of events held here make it one of the city’s most popular spots to visit all year round, and they’re excited to be bringing back Winter Wonders for another fun holiday season.

Remember that space is limited at the event, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible.

For more on everything related to Royal Botanical Gardens, visit their website at rbg.ca and their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.