Winter Wonders

When planning your visit, please note that you may arrive at any time within your timeslot (indicated on your ticket). Different arrival times allows RBG to offer a better overall experience by reducing lineups. You can expect to spend approximately 1 hour at this experience. 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 outdoor experience.

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.

Festive snacks will be available for purchase from the Turner Pavilion Teahouse and from the Food Trailer. This is a licensed event; some alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those age 19+. A valid I.D. is required for beverage purchase.

Outside food and drink will not be permitted.

Washroom facilities are available at the start of the route (lower level of the Atrium at RBG Centre) and approximately half-way through (smaller facility at the Turner Pavilion Teahouse). Please note masks are required for use of all indoor spaces.

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. Additional parking is available the small Cherry Hill Gate parking lot (across the street), though this will require crossing the street and a short walk to RBG Centre for entry.

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.

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). 

Ontario COVID-19 Self-Assessment

Winter Wonders is held rain or (moon)shine and is 100% outdoors, so come prepared for the weather! RBG reserves the right to cancel Winter Wonders due to inclement weather without notice.

With the exception of service animals, personal dogs/cats/animals are not permitted during the evening portion of Winter Wonders.

Pets are welcome in RBG’s outdoor spaces between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. so long as they remain leashed. Please be responsible and clean up after your pets.

The one-way, 1.5 km route for this display takes visitors along wide, paved or gravel pathways, with one short stretch over grass. If accessing with a wheelchair / walker / stroller, and outdoor model is suggested. Some benches will be available for those who require them.

Please be aware that some areas of the garden contain fast moving, bright lights.

Accessible parking spaces are available outside RBG Centre. Visitors access the garden through RBG Centre, descending through the Atrium via stairs or an elevator.

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.

Tickets purchased to Winter Wonders are final sale and non-refundable. Tickets for this experience can be transferred to someone else if you can no longer attend the experience. 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 experience on RBG properties, you are agreeing to the above release for yourself, and on behalf of your guests.

Yes! The Botanical Train display will return to RBG Centre during Winter Wonders. Huge planters made from almost 700 kg of cedar filled with 2,500 plants create a seasonal backdrop for seven different lines of model train tracks. Follow our trains on their journey past scale models of iconic Canadian landmarks constructed entirely from plant materials!

General Admission or Membership also applies.

Available November 23 to January 8*.
*Date exceptions: December 24, 25, 31, January 1.

Hours:

Monday & Tuesday: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., last admission is at 4 p.m.
Wednesday to Sunday: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., last admission is at 3 p.m. The display remains open during Winter Wonders, 5 to 10 p.m. Winter Wonders tickets required. 

All Aboard! Don’t miss a ride on the RBG Express during your day visit the Gardens.

NOTE: this experience is NOT available during the evening as part of Winter Wonders. Visit rbg.ca/events/rbg-express for details.