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Peak Bloom Hours at the Arboretum: Members-only parking weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (pre-registration required). Non-members: book your shuttle tickets!

RBG After Dark: Enchanted at Twilight

Special Event

Date & Time:

July 10, 2025

Location:

Rock Garden (1185 York Boulevard)

Types:

Evenings, Special Event

Length:

1 to 2 Hours

Admission:

Ticketed Event

Event Description

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. (final entry 9:30 p.m.); Rock Garden

Deep within the recesses of the historic Rock Garden lies an enchanted garden, a tranquil, dreamy, magical place where mystical creatures come to life. Stroll amidst the twilight glow while celebrating fantasy, myth and a touch of magic. Enjoy whimsical music, delightful bites and spirits, and discover the secrets of our Enchanted Garden.

  • This is a 19+ event; for a family-friendly version, check out the Enchanted Garden
  • Event tickets required. 
  • Costumes are delightfully encouraged to heighten the magic of the evening! Transform yourself into a twinkling fairy, a mischievous pixie, a gallant knight, or any other fantastical being that sparks your imagination. Let your creativity shine. Please ensure your attire is considerate and respectful to all our guests.
  • woman dressed as tinkerbell posing with a lit up gazebo in the Rock Garden
  • three women dressed as fairies walking through rock garde
  • View of rock garden from the lower bowl at night, all lit in pastel colours
  • person walking through rock garden dressed as a fairy
  • woman posing with two actors dressed as fairies in the Rock Garden

Tickets & Dinner Reservations

Member Presale: Tuesday May 27, 11 a.m.
Public Sale: Wednesday May 28, 11 a.m.

Event tickets are required for access to Rock Garden during the event, including the Rock Garden Bistro.

Ticket Type Price
Adult $25 (+ HST & $2 Service Fee)
Student (19+)* $23 (+ HST & $2 Service Fee)
Add-On: Picnic Box $50 (+HST)

Provides access to Rock Garden for the duration of the event. Food and beverage available for purchase.

  • Your ticket is for this event only, and does not include access to other garden areas.
  • Tickets are non-refundable and final sale.
  • General admission discounts and coupons are not applicable to this ticketed event.
  • Members do not receive a discount but have access to a presale.
  • RBG Gift Certificates are not redeemable on OpenTable.
  • *A valid student card from a post-secondary institution is required for entry with a student ticket.

Whimsical Activities

The Quest for Lost Magic – Embark on a self-guided magical quest to restore the garden’s magic, help its enchanted creatures, and weaken the dragon’s power along the way!

Whirl of Whimsy – Capture the magic of the night with our 360 Video Booth!

Lily Pad Stage – Enjoy Kat Steeves, a ukulele-playing vocalist whose musical melodies will fill the air with enchantment and charm.

Tinker Treats — Refuel and recharge with a delectable array of food and beverages.

Treasure Trove Boutique — Step into our whimsical pop-up gift shop, brimming with enchanting treasures and magical keepsakes.

Garden Games — Discover a treasure trove of outdoor games that may test your wit and your skills.

Whimsical Wardrobe Showcase – Post images of your imaginative attire to @rbgcanada for a chance to be featured.

Whimsy Wanderers — Keep an eye out for roaming enchanted creatures.

Kat Steeves - musician dressed as a fairy playing a ukulele and singing into a mic
  • three wine glasses with white wine and bottles behind them in rock garden at night
  • Table full of various Bistro dishes including a vibrant salad, frittata, salmon, and pasta dish
  • Three hands clinking glasses with purple drinks
  • take-out picnic box containing sandwiches, salad, desserts, veggies, and more
  • A burger wrapped in paper and a carton of onion rings

Food & Drink

Dinner in the Bistro

Reservations made through Open Table. Last table seating is 8 p.m.

The Rock Garden Bistro features a French-inspired menu with a garden flair that boasts fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Picnic Box for 2

$50 (+HST). Pre-order a picnic box to share! Box includes:

  • Enchanted Garden: Hummus, pita and veggies
  • Woodland Medley: Orzo Salad, lemon shallot vinaigrette
  • Troll’s Twist: Tandoori Chicken Croissant x 2 (or chickpea)
  • Toadstools: Dessert box
  • Nymph’s Nectar: Lemonade – 16oz (in jar)

(Cannot be made gluten free, can be made vegan/nut free)

BBQ Menu

Prices subject to HST

BBQ Menu

  • Beastly Dragon Dogs – Hot Dog $7
  • Uni-corn – Eloté (Mexi Corn on the Cob) $7
  • Sorcerer’s Sword – Sausage $10
  • Ogre’s Delight – Burger $10
  • Gnome’s Garden – Veggie Burger $10
  • Wizard Sticks – Mediterranean Veggie Skewer $10
  • Spellbound Sammie – Feature Sandwich $10
  • Pot o’ Gold Kettle Chips – Kettle Chips $5
  • Pixie Potato Salad – Potato Salad $5
  • Leapin’ Leprechaun Coleslaw – Coleslaw $5
  • Fairy Wands – $4 (Rice Krispies)

At RBG’s Rock Garden

1185 York Blvd. Hamilton ON

Built in 1932, the historic Rock Garden is considered the birthplace of Royal Botanical Gardens. Following a significant rejuvenation, the Rock Garden reopened in 2016 to embrace sustainable trends in garden design and management while respecting the integrity of its heritage setting.

aerial photo of Rock Garden with a lively event below. On the left hand side, guests can be spotted relaxing in the grass and around firepits in the lower garden. On the right hand side there is a stage with rows of chairs filled with guests watching.

Part of the RBG After Dark Series

Celebrate with us all summer long with 19+ events in a one-of-a-kind garden setting.

Event Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about RBG After Dark? Click the topics below for more information. If you have a question that is not answered, send us a message, or give us a call at 905-527-1158.

Tickets

Pre-purchased tickets are required for this special event. Tickets are final sale.

Your tickets will be emailed to you as a pdf attachment shortly after online payment. You will be required to present these tickets upon arrival, either printed out or digitally on your personal device.

Arrival and Entry Time

Doors will open at 6:30pm and last entry will be at 9:30pm. This event concludes at 10:30 p.m.

Age and I.D.

Attendees must be 19 years of age or older to attend. Please ensure you have a government-issued ID on your person during the event; anyone who does not present a valid ID upon request will be asked to leave.

Food and Beverage

Enjoy RBG Food and Beverage offerings available for purchase. This is a 19+ event with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available. Reservation opportunity at RBG. Guests may enjoy their food and beverage at various locations throughout the garden. Table seating in the garden is limited and available on first come first serve basis. We encourage guests to enjoy Muskoka chairs, or picnic on lawn areas.

RBG Rock Garden Bistro Reservations are available through OpenTable.

Pre-order picnic boxes available at $50.00+HST and include a light snack for 2 and a beverage. Picnic boxes must be ordered ahead of time with the cut off 4 days prior to the event. RBG does our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, however due to the nature of the box RBG is unable to accommodate Gluten free or celiac allergies with this option. Should guests require options without gluten, we encourage visiting out food truck/BBQ or concession areas.

Please note that RBG does not permit outside food and beverage to be brought into this event. If you have pre-ordered and item, this will be available for pickup via your event ticket. Please have your tickets ready at the time of pick up.

This is a licensed event; alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. A valid I.D. is required for entry.

Weather

This event is outdoors with limited indoor access / components. RBG recommends coming prepared for the weather, and we will proceed rain or shine. RBG reserves the right to cancel a day due to inclement weather. If the event date is canceled due to extreme weather conditions, a refund will be provided.

Parking and Directions

This event is held at RBG Rock Garden, Located at 1185 York Blvd.

Parking is included, available in the large across from Rock Garden Visitor Center or accessible spots on the same size as the building. Please do not drink and drive; organize a safe ride home.

This garden is located along bus routes for Burlington Transit, with stops a short distance from the entrance. See rbg.ca/directions for more details.

Accessibility

The Rock Garden Visitor Centre is fully accessible.

All outdoor paths are either paved or made of finely packed gravel. Rock Garden includes many original limestone staircases, as well as newer staircases outfitted with handrails. Two paved and sloped pathways around the outer edge of the garden provide access to the lower bowl for those unable to take the stairs.

The lower bowl of the garden includes flat pathways with some arched bridges. Some original exploratory pathways along the inside of the bowl are not accessible for those unable to climb stairs, though much of the garden can be seen from accessible paths and lookout points.

Accessible parking spaces are available outside Rock Garden Visitor Center.

If you have any further questions about accessibility at this event please contact us by phone (905-527-1158) or use the form at rbg.ca/contact-events.

Pets and Service Animals

With the exception of service animals, personal dogs/cats/animals are not permitted at this event.

Pets are welcome in RBG’s outdoor spaces during normal daytime operating hours so long as they remain leashed, and cleaned up after.

Terms and Conditions

Tickets purchased to special events are final sale and non-refundable. Tickets for this event can be transferred to someone else if you can no longer attend. If RBG cancels a special event, ticketholders will be fully refunded. Please keep your tickets and confirmation: it is proof of your purchase and allows entry into the event.

Liability: RBG assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to property, or for personal injury or mishap; all activities are at the risk of the participant.

Filming/Photography Release: Please be advised that all photos, audio-video, and static images taken at this tour may be used for exhibit, reproduction, and/or distribution for RBG related promotional use, including all forms of print, television advertisement, social media and /or website display. In consideration of your participation as a guest or attendee of this event, you authorize Royal Botanical Gardens, its legal representatives, suppliers, invited media and assigns unrestricted right and permission to copyright and use such photos and images under their sole discretion. Royal Botanical Gardens, its legal representatives, suppliers, invited media and assigns are released without limitation of any claims for libel or invasion of privacy.

By purchasing tickets and participating in this event on RBG properties, you are agreeing to the above release for yourself, and on behalf of your guests.

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