The Great Pumpkin Trail

Pre-purchased tickets are required for this special event, and typically sell out quickly. Upon purchasing, you will be required to select an entry time. Tickets are final sale. When purchasing your tickets, please ensure you select the appropriate date/time, as switching your tickets after purchase will not be possible. Please note a maximum of 10 tickets per transaction applies.

A note on in-person registration: due to the popularity of this event, tickets go quickly and we strongly encourage you to register online, or have a friend/family member do so for you. A small number of RBG staff members will be available for in-person registrations, though this is a time-consuming process and there is no guarantee the tickets you wish to purchase will still be available by the time we are able to assist you. Registering as soon as the sale begins is the fastest way to purchase your tickets for this event.

Member Pre-Sale

RBG Membership cardholders have access to a presale starting September 22 at 11am. A membership discount will NOT apply for this event.

Accessing this pre-sale will require a special member code, which will be sent prior to the pre-sale date to the email addresses we have on file for all current RBG Members. Members will also require their membership number during the purchasing process.

The Basics:

1. When the sale goes live, select the “Get Tickets” button in the “Tickets” section. At the beginning of the sale time, this button will be linked to proceed to Eventbrite.
2. If purchasing during the member pre-sale: the first Eventbrite page will ask you for a password. Use the member pre-sale code (emailed to current members prior to the pre-sale date) and click the blue arrow. The page will open. If purchasing during the public sale, skip to the next step.
3. Use the “select a date” button to open your date options, then click the “tickets” button for the appropriate date.
4. Scroll through the available time-slots and ticket types, and select the number of Adult (13+), Child (3 to 12 yrs), or Child (0 to 2 yrs) tickets you wish to purchase. Reminder: everyone attending the event requires a ticket. If the slot indicates “sold out,” there are no further spaces available. See “Selecting a Timeslot” section below for some more details and a screenshot.
5. Select the “checkout” button, and complete the transaction (be sure to fill out all fields and agree to Terms and Conditions). Please note a time-limit exists to complete the purchase from this point.

Selecting a Timeslot:

• You can see the total number of tickets remaining in this time-slot where the blue box indicates above. You will not be able to proceed with your order if you select a total number of tickets higher than the indicated “remaining” number.
• If the group you wish to attend the event with is larger than the number of tickets remaining in a specific timeslot, DO NOT purchase those tickets unless you are willing to attend with that smaller group. Due to demand switching timeslots after purchase will not be possible.
• If you see only 1 ticket remaining, DO NOT purchase it unless you already have other tickets for that time from a previous purchase and you wish to add one more individual.

PLEASE NOTE: screenshot above is from 2019’s event. This year’s registration will appear very similar, though some details shown here may differ slightly.

General Tips:

• If possible, use a desktop computer. With a larger screen than a phone or tablet, this makes it easier to see your time-slot options
• Before the sale begins, make a list of all the time-slots / dates you will be able to make in order of preference; tickets go fast and it is possible your ideal time-slot will be sold out, so know your back-ups ahead of time.
• Have your credit card and billing information ready.
• If you are a member purchasing during the pre-sale, you will require your membership number during this purchase. Have your membership card handy, and be sure your membership has not expired.

A note on in-person registration: Due to the popularity of this event, tickets go quickly and we strongly encourage you to register online, or have a friend/family member do so for you. A small number of RBG staff members will be available for in-person registrations, though this is a time-consuming process and there is no guarantee the tickets you wish to purchase will still be available by the time we are able to assist you. Registering yourself online as soon as the sale begins is the fastest way to purchase your tickets for this event. 

This is a popular event; we understand that not all interested families will be able to attend. We thank you for your patience and interest in this event, and encourage you to sign up for event email notifications to be sure you hear first about what’s coming up at RBG!

Consider bringing your guide, scout, or youth group to our specialized Pumpkins in the Park event October 24!

Details at: rbg.ca/events/youth-group-night-pumpkins-in-the-park

This event is time-ticketed. Please arrive at your scheduled time and expect to spend at least an hour here experiencing the Pumpkin Trail. When you arrive at RBG Centre (680 Plains Road W., Burlington) for your start time you will be greeted by our staff team who will check you in and direct you to the Pumpkin Trail.

You will be required to present your pre-purchased tickets upon arrival, either printed out or digitally on your personal device. Each ticket will be scanned. The confirmation receipt is not a ticket. Your tickets were sent to you as an attachment in the confirmation e-mail you received after booking.

The Great Pumpkin Trail is 100% outdoors so come prepared for the weather! RBG reserves the right to cancel the event due to inclement weather.

This event is held in Hendrie Park – please enter through RBG Centre at 680 Plains Road W. Burlington Ontario. Parking is included, available in the large lot at RBG Centre. Should the lot at RBG Centre become full, alternate parking locations are:

1. Street parking along Botanical Dr. and Spring Gardens. Rd. From this area, cross the parking lot and make your way to RBG Centre main entrance to check in.
2. Staff Parking Lot / Classroom 5 – south side of Plains Rd. W. at Botanical Dr., Burlington. From this lot, make your way to RBG Centre main entrance to check in.

Please note that the Hendrie / Cherry Hill Lot will not be open. You will not be able to enter the event through the Rose Garden Kiosk.

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.

Only a ¼ km loop of the Pumpkin Trail is fully wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. The remainder is along the RBG trail system which includes rough terrain. If you have any questions about accessibility at this event, please contact us at 905-527-1158.

Don’t have time to make dinner before the event? The Teahouse will be serving up some delicious seasonal favourites available for purchase!

The Great Pumpkin Trail is a 1.5 km loop, beginning in Hendrie Park, and continuing along the South Bridle trail before returning to Hendrie Park. Please note only a ¼ km section of the trail is fully wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly.

The route is lit by the jack-o-lanterns along the trail. You are encouraged to bring a flashlight as it can get dark out there!

Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes however please keep costumes fun and family friendly since the majority of children present will be 10 and under. 

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

As part of our commitment and shared responsibility for the health and safety of our guests, staff and volunteers, we ask that event attendees perform a self assessment to help reduce the spread of COVID – 19 prior to entering the event. Should you feel ill please stay home and contact your health care provider. Your tickets can be transferred to other family members or friends (no transfer fee required).

Effective May 5, visitors are no longer required to wear masks at Royal Botanical Gardens.

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

COVID 19 Rights and Responsibilities: Royal Botanical Gardens understands and respects the rights of all staff, volunteers, and event attendees to be protected from infectious diseases. Royal Botanical Gardens follows the public health and workplace safety measures and regulations as indicated by local public health units, local municipalities, and the Province of Ontario. As such, guests are mandatorily required to adhere to the processes and policies that are put in place to mitigate effects of infectious diseases. Such processes and policies include, but are not limited to: face coverings, daily medical screening, and social distancing. It is the right of Royal Botanical Gardens to restrict the access to or remove from its events and properties any individual who does not adhere to such processes and policies. By agreeing you understand the above statement and agree to its contents for yourself and those individuals attending the exhibition with you.

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.