VanDusen Festival of Lights 2022

Event details

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  Know before you go

  • Tickets are available online only. Please book a designated entry time online in advance.
  • The event entrance is through the VanDusen Visitor Centre.
  • Visitors must arrive on-site and scan in within their designated half-hour entry time.
  • No outside food or beverage is permitted.
  • This event is outdoors and runs rain or shine.
  • Re-entry is not permitted.
  • Please have your tickets printed out or ready on your mobile device for scanning upon arrival. 
  • Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable (and so cannot be re-sold), and will not be replaced if expired, destroyed, lost, or stolen. See the ticket disclaimer below.
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  Ticketing

  Prices are subject to GST and online service fees.

  Ticket category	Price (before tax and service fees)
  Adults (19 to 64 years)	$21
  Seniors (65 years and up) and youth (13 to 18 years)	$15.50
  Garden (VBGA) members with valid card	$15.25
  Child (5 to 12 years)	$11
  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.
  • There is no group ticket rate this year. 
  • To purchase over 100 tickets to visit as a group or gift tickets to clients or friends, complete the bulk order form PDF file (304 KB) and return it to vandusenFOL@vancouver.ca. The minimum order quantity is 100 tickets and this option is only available while supplies last.
  • 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 can assist you with the booking process from 10am to 3pm.
  • Coupons, discount offers, and admission vouchers or passes are not valid for special events including VanDusen Festival of Lights. This includes the Tourism Challenge Privilege Pass, Park Board complimentary and gift passes (green and blue), and third-party ticket vouchers.
  • A Vancouver Botanical Garden Association (VBGA) member rate is available online only for those holding a valid membership. Members must present their valid membership at the point of entry.  Members cannot book guest tickets at the membership rate. 
  • 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.

  For any 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). 

  Information icon There is no bus parking available in the VanDusen Garden parking lot.

  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. Our accessible drop-off area is located in the C-Drive off Oak Street.

  We will not have any wheelchairs available for borrow. 

  Make-A-Wish at the Scottish Shelter

  Make-A-Wish returns to Festival of Lights for the 21st year. 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. Make-A-Wish accepts debit and credit only; cash is not accepted.

  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 the code of conduct for details. 

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  Food and beverage

  Information icon The entire event area is not licensed, but specialty beverages are available to visitors 19+ at The Garden Café and the Shaughnessy Patio.

  The Garden Café 

  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.

  Cocoa Chateau

  Pick up a bag of popcorn, and grab a gourmet hot chocolate or apple cider for your stroll through the lights.

  Fireside Fondue

  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

  Relax on the Shaughnessy Wine Patio with a specialty adult beverage like Baileys hot chocolate. Enjoy a variety of hot food including chowder, pretzels, and more on-the-go food options. This area is licensed with a variety of alcoholic beverage choices.

  For formal dining at Shaughnessy Restaurant, make a reservation External website, opens in new tab in advance.

  Cin City Donuts

  It wouldn’t be the holidays without some fresh mini donuts. Cin City has both donuts and hot drinks available for purchase.

  LaGlace Ice Cream

  Enjoy an artisanal ice cream from LaGlace inside the Glacial Passage and relax with your family indoors. LaGlace has created specialty flavours just for Festival of Lights. Try their eggnog affogato and deluxe hot chocolate.

  The Brownie Bakers

  Indulge in a decadent brownie with an assortment of toppings, or try one of The Brownie Bakers deluxe hot chocolates, including flavours like cookies and cream, candy cane, peanut butter crunch, and more.

  NaMì Vietnamese

  Pick up a variety of fresh, grab-and-go options like pho, spring rolls, and bánh mì. Don’t forget to grab a Vietnamese coffee or Vietnamese hot chocolate to warm up.

  Ay!Mamacita

  From a large variety of tacos to Mexican rice bowls and chili, Ay!Mamacita has plenty of options. Specialty beverages include hot and spicy hot chocolate and eggnog horchatas.

  Japadog

  Savour the flavour of a Japanese-inspired hot dog with options including kurobuta terimayo, wagyu bacon, and cheese, Kurobuta Okonomi, and more! Japadog will also be serving tomato and basil soup, corn potage soup, and beverages.

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  Location and event map

  

  VanDusen Garden is located at 5251 Oak Street at West 37th Avenue. Find directions

  View the Festival of Lights event map PDF file (15 MB) and follow the highlights in order to experience the show with our suggested route.

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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.