VanDusen Festival of Lights 2021

Hours of operation

Event details

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  Know before you go

  • Proof of full vaccination External link icon is required for those ages 12 and older. Have your proof of vaccination and physical government-issued photo ID ready at the entry point. Images of ID will not be accepted. Youth aged 12 – 18 are not required to show government photo ID.
  • Masks are mandatory indoors at all times, with the exception of those under the age of 5.
  • Tickets are not sold on site. Please book a designated entry time online in advance.
  • The event entrance is through the VanDusen Visitor Centre.
  • Visitors must arrive within their designated half hour entry time.
  • No outside food or beverage is permitted.
  • This event is outdoors and runs rain or shine (or snow).
  • In order to reduce touch point features and limit gathering within the garden, features and activities from previous years, such as the carousel, photos with Santa, live entertainment, and the dancing lights show, will not be offered this year.
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  Ticketing

  Prices are subject to GST and online service fees.

  Ticket category	Price (before tax and service fees)
  Adults (19-64 years)	$17.50
  Seniors (65 years and up) and youth (13-18 years)	$13.25
  Garden (VBGA) members with valid card	$13
  Child (5-12 years)	$10.25
  Children (4 years and under)	Free (must reserve a ticket)

  Ticket details

  • The maximum number of tickets you can purchase per order is 10 tickets.
  • Required attendants of those needing assistance at the event are offered free access. You do not need to purchase a ticket for them. You may purchase your own ticket online, and let our staff members know your attendant is accompanying you when you present your ticket for scanning.
  • There is no group ticket rate this year.
  • Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Tickets must be presented on a mobile device or printed out for scanning upon entry.
  • To visit Festival of Lights under the Leisure Access Program (LAP) rate, please call the VanDusen admission desk at 604-257-8463 with your valid LAP card details. Staff will assist you with the booking process.
  • Coupons, discount offers, and admission vouchers or passes are not valid for special events including VanDusen Festival of Lights. These include the Tourism Challenge Privilege Pass, Park Board complimentary and gift passes (green and blue), Vancouver Inspiration Pass, Entertainment Book coupons, Viator vouchers, and VanPass vouchers.
  • A Vancouver Botanical Garden Association (VBGA) member rate is available online only for those with valid memberships. Members must present their valid membership at point of entry. Those without valid memberships cannot book tickets at this rate.

    For ticketing questions, email FOLsupport@myzone.com.

  Ticket disclaimer

  Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable (and so cannot be re-sold), and will not be replaced if expired, destroyed, lost or stolen.

  The original ticket purchaser is solely responsible to ensure that this ticket is not duplicated or transferred in any way. Tickets obtained from sources other than our website may be lost, stolen, or counterfeit, and if so, are void.

  If in our sole discretion, we determine that a person is re-selling any ticket(s), we reserve the right to revoke and cancel the order and the related ticket(s) and will not permit any future purchases by that person or any affiliated person. We also reserve the right, without compensation or refund of any amount paid, to revoke tickets, refuse admission, or dismiss, any person whose conduct management deems disorderly or fails to comply with policies or rules and regulations of the venue.

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  Washrooms, parking, accessibility, and more

  Washrooms

  Portable toilets will be available for use within the festival grounds.

  Full service washrooms are located in the Visitor Centre.

  Parking

  Parking can get quite busy, so we recommend taking public transit, walking, or biking. We’re located on the #17 Oak bus route and a 15-minute walk from the Oakridge Canada Line station.

  Parking is free in our lot off West 37th avenue but spaces are limited. Free street parking is also available in the surrounding area (where street signs permit). 

  Weather

  Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes as the event is outdoors in the garden. Rain or shine (or snow) the show will go on.

  If there is heavy snow, wind, or other extraordinary weather conditions, VanDusen Festival of Lights may close. A recorded message at 604-257-8463 will provide confirmation.

  For updates, follow us on Facebook External website, opens in new tab, Instagram External link icon, and Twitter External website, opens in new tab.

  Accessibility

  All paths are paved and fully accessible for wheelchairs.

  All portable toilets will be fully accessible for those in a wheelchair. 

  We will not have any wheelchairs available for use this year to limit touch points for the safety of our visitors.

  Make-A-Wish at the Scottish Shelter

  Make-A-Wish returns to Festival of Lights from November 26 to January 3. Stop by the Scottish Shelter to light a candle and make a donation to Make-A-Wish. Help us spark joy and create hope in the lives of children living with critical illnesses. Cash is not accepted for donations this year.

  Donate online External website, opens in new tab

  Pets

  Working guide and service dogs are welcome. Leave pets at home.

  Other considerations

  No smoking or vaping of any kind is permitted in the garden.

  Bicycles, scooters, and skateboards are not permitted in the garden.

  Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome.

  Regular garden rules apply. See Code of Conduct for details. 

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  Food, beverages, and event map

  

  View the Festival of Lights event map PDF file (8.7 MB)

  Information icon Indoor highlights #18 - #20 and food location #3 will be closed starting December 21, due to the new PHO order External link icon.

  Food and beverage

  All food vendors have been approved by Vancouver Coastal Health.

  Information icon Please note that the entire event area is not licensed, but specialty beverages are available to visitors 19+ at The Garden Cafe, the Shaughnessy Wine Patio, and the Chateau North Pole Lounge.

  The Garden Cafe

  The Garden Cafe is located inside the Visitor Centre. Stop by for various soups, sandwiches, treats, hot and cold beverages and more! This area is licensed with a variety of alcoholic beverage choices. 

  Information icon High tea and picnics are not available during Festival of Lights.

  The Garden Cafe Patio

  The Garden Cafe Patio is located on the Plaza, just as you enter the Garden. Pick up bag of popcorn, and grab a gourmet hot chocolate or apple cider for your stroll through the lights.

  Chateau North Pole Lounge - Hall closed due to the newest PHO order

  Fireside Fondue

  Fireside Fondue is located by the rose garden. Take a break from the cold and warm up by the fireside with gourmet fondue, hot chocolate, and apple cider. Fondue is served with a variety of sides.

  Shaughnessy Wine Patio and Restaurant

  The Shaughnessy Wine Patio is located just behind highlight #6, Merry Mistletoe. Stop by for hot dogs, pretzels, apple turnovers and more on-the-go food options. Hot drinks, water and pop are also available for purchase. This area is licensed with a variety of alcoholic beverage choices.

  For formal dining at Shaughnessy Restaurant, please book a reservation in advance External link icon.

  Cin City Donuts

  It wouldn’t be the holidays without some fresh mini donuts. Find Cin City Donuts located across from highlight #14, Sequoiadendron Shimmer. Donuts, cotton candy, and hot drinks are available for purchase.

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  Code of conduct

  General garden rules 

  • We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Shirts and shoes are required.
  • Walk and explore the garden along designated pathways and lawn areas only. 
  • To protect our botanical collections, please do not pick or remove any plant materials such as flowers, seeds or foliage. All plant material must be left in the garden. 
  • Dispose of waste in the garbage and recycling bins provided.
  • Baby strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are welcome. Please leave rollerblades, skate boards, and tricycles at home and lock up bicycles outside the Visitor Centre. 
  • Working guide and service dogs are welcome. Leave pets at home.
  • Do not feed or handle wildlife.
  • Supervise children at all times. The minimum age to visit the garden without an adult or guardian is 13 years old (youth).
  • One adult, senior, or youth can supervise and accompany up to a maximum of five children 0 – 4 years of age. For example, at least two adults, seniors, or youth must accompany a group of six to ten children in the 0 – 4 age category. This ratio is not applicable for daycares and school groups that have booked through our education department. 
  • Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy in the garden. Lawn chairs and coolers are permitted on the Great Lawn only. Portable grills are not permitted. 
  • Keep personal items with you at all times. The garden is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. If you find something in the garden that does not belong to you, return it to a staff member or volunteer.

  Prohibited at any time

  • Use of drones
  • Balls, frisbees, hula hoops, hockey sticks and other sports equipment. 
  • Swimming in the lakes, ponds and waterfall. 
  •  Amplified music.  
  • Outside alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at on-site licensed establishments. Smoking of any kind, including vaping. 
  • Tripods in garden beds or pathways. They may only be used in grassy areas.  

  COVID-19 protocol

  • Masks are mandatory indoors at all times, with the exception of those under the age of 5.
  • Stay home when sick
  • Wash your hands
  • Respect one-way paths in the garden