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RBG After Dark: Summer Salsa

Special Event Accessible Event

Date & Time:

Aug 15, 6 to 10 p.m.

Location:

Rock Garden (1185 York Boulevard)

Types:

Evenings, Food and Drink, Special Event

Admission:

Ticketed Event

Event Description

This is a 19+ event

A night of flavor and rhythm awaits at our sizzling After Dark: Summer Salsa Event 

Get ready to spice up your summer at our muy caliente celebration, where the summer heat inspires our cuisine, music, and atmosphere. Set your taste buds ablaze with fiery flavors inspired by Latin American cuisine, then cool them down with our signature on-the-rocks cocktail of the night, guaranteed to refresh you as the fiesta continues. Enjoy Latin American-inspired entertainment and get into the rhythm with some vibrant salsa dancing. Grab your dancing shoes and bring your appetite for some spicy summer fun! 

Entertainment Schedule

  • Boutique Collective | 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Fuego Mariachi  | 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Afro Latino Salsa Performance & Workshop | 8:30 to 8:50 p.m.
  • Boutique Collective | 8:50 to 10 p.m.
  • visitors lounging in the rock garden in sumer alongside the water features
  • mariachi band instruments
  • three people dancing in bright summer clothing
  • woman walking down lit garden pathway after dark
  • View of rock garden from the lower bowl at night, all lit in pastel colours

Tickets & Dinner Reservations

Event tickets are required for access to Rock Garden during the event, including the Rock Garden Bistro. Tickets and dinner reservations for Summer on the Rocks are available online.

Member Pre-Sale: Wednesday June 5, 11 a.m.
Public Sale: Friday June 7, 11 a.m.

Tickets Only

  • Adults: $20 (+ HST & $1 Service Fee)
  • Students: $18 (+ HST & $1 Service Fee)
  • Add-On a Picnic Box for 2: $50 (+ HST)

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

Tickets + Dinner Reservations

  • $18 + HST & $1 Service Fee
  • Plated Dinner Menu with table seating in the Rock Garden Bistro
  • Includes access to the remainder of the event before / after your seating
  • Note: diners may be seated indoors; limited patio space available

Guests wishing to make dinner reservations will do so through OpenTable, paying event cover through that service.

Ticketing Details & Terms

  • Your ticket is for this event only, and does not include general admission for the full day.
  • 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

Tickets purchased to WinterTide are final sale and non-refundable. Tickets for this experience can be transferred to someone else if you can no longer attend the event. Please keep your tickets and confirmation: it is proof of your purchase and allows entry into the experience.

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 experience 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 experience, 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.

Member Pre-Sale Instructions

To access the member presale, simply log in to your RBG online account using the email address associated with your membership. Once your account is set up, visit the registration page during the pre-sale time.

Do NOT make a new account; any new account created will not have access to your member benefits, and will not permit you access to the pre-sale.

New Members: How To Activate Your Account (do this prior to the sale date to avoid disappointment)

  1. Visit secure.rbg.ca/account/login
  2. Enter your email address and “submit” (NOTE: RBG members must use the email associated with their current membership)
  3. Check your email for a link to reset your password
  4. Log in with your new credentials and check your account information. Ensure your updated membership is showing.
  5. Optional but recommended: test your member benefits by checking tickets for the Nature’s Superheroes exhibit; if you see free member tickets, this account will have access to the pre-sale.

Once your member account is set up, visit the registration page and your tickets will be available!

If you do not receive a password reset email within 10 minutes, or if you log into and your membership is not showing in your account information, it is possible that email address is not the primary contact on your RBG Membership. Get in touch with the memberships team for more information.

  • Outdoor Bar With Wine
  • take-out picnic box containing sandwiches, salad, desserts, veggies, and more
  • guests laughing and enjoying drinks on the patio of the Rock Garden Bistro
  • bowl of mussels in a white cream sauce, topped with sliced chilies
  • espresso martini, lavender cocktail and glass of rose wine on a bistro table

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:

  • Veggies/ Hummus
  • 2 x Coronation Chicken (or Chickpea) Croissant
  • Orzo Salad w. Corn, Black Bean, Red Pepper, Cumin Lime Vinaigrette
  • Cinnamon, Sugar Churros
  • 16oz Watermelon Jalapeno Lemonade

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

$5 / $10 Event Menu

Mix and match with simple prices for all items available for purchase on-site! All items listed below are available for up to $10 (+ HST)

BBQ Menu

Items below are $10 each (+HST), purchasable on-site

  • Hamburger
  • Veggie Burger
  • Footlong Hot Dog
  • Pickerel Taco; Slaw, Lime Crema, Pickled Chili
  • Chicken Taco; Slaw, Lime Crema, Pickled Chili
  • Watermelon Ahi Tacos; Slaw, Lime Crema, Pickled Chili

Items below are $5 each (+HST), purchasable on-site

  • Mexi Street Corn
  • Potato Salad
  • Coleslaw
  • Kettle Chips

Concessions

All items below are $5 each (+HST), purchasable on-site

  • Chips/ Salsa
  • Cinnamon Sugar Churros
  • Veggies/ Hummus

Bar Menu

Enjoy beverages from stations throughout the garden!

Bar Menu

Wine
  • Good Natured Wine – Crisp Chardonnay | Merlot/Gamay
    6oz $8 + tax | Bottle $25 + tax
Craft Beers
  • Great Lakes Brewery – Octopus Wants to Fight IPA | Canuck Pale Ale
    473mL $10 + tax
  • Collective Arts – Collective Lager | Ransack the Universe IPA | Life in the Clouds NEIPA
    473mL $10 + tax
Cocktail on the Rocks
  • Signature cocktail
    $10 + tax | Non-alcoholic option $6 + tax

House Rail

  • 1oz $8 + tax
    Vodka, Rum, Rye, Gin, Scotch

Performers & Vendors

Samba dancers at Carnaval

AfroLatino Dance Company

Performance and Workshop: 8:30 to 8:50 p.m.

mariachi fuego band

Mariachi Fuego

7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

boutique collective band performing live

Boutique Collective

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. & 8:50 to 10 p.m.

product photo of drizzling honey over a bottle of hot sauce

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Fury’s line of fermented hot sauces and seasonings are bright and bold. Their flavours are inspired by the family’s mixed heritage and culinary memories shared together. Whether it’s around the dinner table or at a backyard barbecue with friends and family, Fury Hot Sauce is cultivating connections, sparking joy, and bringing people together.

Table of diverse Latin dishes with jarred sauces

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Our restaurant emerges from the collective dreams of diverse Latin families, unified by a shared vision to proudly bring Latin flavors to Canada. Our journey begins with a fusion of culinary traditions, carefully curated to reflect the rich tapestry of Latin culture. Hola is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of community and connection. With each meal shared at our tables, we strive to foster belonging, inviting guests to experience the hospitality of Latin America. Join us in raising a toast to the dreams that brought us together and the delicious memories yet to be made.

Hola Cafe and Market logo

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 F.A.Q.s

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 & Entry Time

Doors will open at 6:00pm and last entry will be at 9:00pm. This event concludes at 10 p.m.

Age & 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 & 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.

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.

Location & Parking

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. 

Pets & 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. 

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.  

Event Terms & 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 for the tour.

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.

More Upcoming Special Events

RBG hosts unique events all year long! See rbg.ca/specialevents for details