Winter Wonders

Winter Wonders is included in general admission! Tickets must be pre-purchased online. Timed-ticket entry required.

Winter Wonders is included in your RBG Membership. Become a member for unlimited visits to the garden all year long! Members must present membership card upon entry.

As a registered charity, donations make it possible for us to create unique nature experiences like Winter Wonders for our members and visitors. Please consider adding a $5 donation to your experience. Donations can be made at the door, while purchasing General Admission tickets, or through our online donations portal.

Purchasing General Admission tickets gives you access to Winter Wonders after 5 p.m. on the dates available. Food, drink, and purchases at Shop at the Gardens are available for additional costs.

General Admission also provides access to RBG’s other spaces from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (for the same day).

• Indoor Mediterranean Garden & Seasonal Displays at RBG Centre
• The historic Rock Garden
• A parking pass for use at RBG Trailheads (available at the RBG Centre kiosk upon request)

Additional activities may be available for an additional cost. See the full calendar to learn more about what’s happening during your visit.

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 located ¼ into the light display and from the Collective Arts Container located ¾ into the display. 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.

RBG requires all visitors aged 12 and up, including all indoor and outdoor areas of RBG Centre, Hendrie Park, Rock Garden, and Laking Garden to prove they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This also includes those dining at the Greenhouse Cafe, attending on-site events and public programs, or visiting Shop at the Gardens.

Ontario’s vaccine certificate with QR Code (paper or digital) along with official government-issued ID showing name and date of birth will be the only valid proof of vaccination accepted for entry into Royal Botanical Gardens, public programs, on-site restaurants, and special events, as of January 4, 2022. Download your QR code here.

If you are visiting from outside of Ontario and have proof of vaccination from another province, territory or country, it is valid if you can show you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with documentation that includes your name, date of birth, number of doses, and the name of the vaccine you received. Please visit the Ontario.ca website for more information.

RBG will accept medical exemptions as outlined by the Province of Ontario. Please visit Ontario.ca for more information and be prepared to produce the document on arrival.

Visitors who do not present an official certificate QR code, or accepted documentation of medical exemption, will not be allowed entry.

If you have general admission or special event tickets, you are eligible for a refund. Please complete the form to request a refund.

If you have a dining reservation at the Greenhouse Café, please contact 905-527-1158 ext. 333.

Children aged 11 and under are not required to be vaccinated and do not need to show negative test results at this time.

They will be asked a list of Covid-19 screening questions before entering. We ask that any visitors feeling unwell or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to please stay at home.

Royal Botanical Gardens’ (RBG) is making every effort to help ensure your visit is enjoyable and, above all, safe. 

Following the advice of public health authorities, masks are required to access the indoor spaces (entry to the garden, teahouse, washrooms, etc.), and while standing in any lineup (either indoors or outdoors). We also ask that you wear a mask or face covering during the outdoor portion of this experience if possible. Please observe all markers and one-way indicators upon arrival and stick with your group for the duration of the event, following physical distancing guidelines. 

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.

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.

The following are the rules (“Rules”) for Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) #RBGWinterWonders Photo Contest giveaway (the “Giveaway”) being administered by Royal Botanical Gardens.

OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS (PDF)