Harvest Days 2026

Program schedule

Live music

Bluegrass and family folk live music sessions will be held daily across from the hedge maze.

• 11:30am to 1:30pm
• 2pm to 4pm

Face painting

• 10:30am to 1pm
• 1:30pm to 4pm

Enjoy a full day of family-friendly activities by the Learning Garden and maze, including live music, face painting, lawn games like cornhole and Jenga, and more. 

Discovery Tent

Stop by the Discovery Tent to meet a rotating lineup of local experts, organizations, and community groups offering nature-based activities and demonstrations. Programming varies throughout the event period and includes activities like honey tasting, gardening tips, and more.

Sculpture Stroll

Discover the nature-inspired creations of local artist Nickie Lewis, whose eco-friendly sculptures are made entirely from natural, organic, and 100% biodegradable materials, displayed throughout the Sculpture Stroll. Then, explore beyond the event area to experience the spectacular colours of autumn, with highlights including sugar maples, ginkgo trees, bald cypress, and the breathtaking Autumn Stroll.

Review 2026 Harvest Days Map PDF file (5.6 MB)

• Harvest Days is included with a regular admission ticket to VanDusen Botanical Garden on weekends from September 26 to October 18, including Monday, October 12 (Thanksgiving).
• Harvest Days programming runs from 10:30am to 4:30pm. The Garden is open until 5pm.
• Food trucks accept cash, credit, and debit.
• The Garden Café and Shaughnessy Restaurant are also located onsite. For formal dining at Shaughnessy Restaurant, make a reservation External website, opens in new tab.
• Book your garden admission tickets online in advance to save.
• The event entrance is through the VanDusen Visitor Centre. It takes approximately 10 minutes to walk from the Visitor Centre to the Learning Garden and maze area.
• This event is outdoors and runs rain or shine.

Information icon Harvest Days is included with general admission to the Garden on select days: September 26 and 27, and October  3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, and 18.

Prices are subject to GST and online service fees.

Information icon Parties of 10 or more people receive a 10% group discount. The discount is automatically applied when you add 10 or more paid tickets to your basket on Showpass, or when you pay at the desk upon arrival. Preschooler tickets (free) are not included in the count of 10 or more tickets.

• Save when you book your tickets online.
• All tickets are non-refundable.
• Tickets must be presented on a mobile device or printed out for scanning upon entry.

Additional ticket details

• 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.
• To visit Harvest Days under the Leisure Access Program (LAP) rate, simply present your LAP card at the VanDusen admissions desk upon arrival. You do not need to book your ticket in advance.
• Garden members have free access to this event. Members must present their valid membership at the point of entry and do not need to book tickets in advance.
• Coupons, discount offers, and admission vouchers or passes are valid for Harvest Days. These include the Tourism Challenge Privilege Pass, Park Board complimentary and gift passes (green and blue), third party ticketing vouchers (VanPass, Viator/Trip Advsior, Expedia, Tiqets).
  Information icon If you have a voucher or pass, you are not required to book in advance.

Information icon For Showpass ticketing questions, email [email protected]

Ticket disclaimer

3% of your ticket fee will help fund special improvement projects at the Garden and Conservatory through the Amenity Improvement Fee. 

Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be re-sold. If in our sole discretion, we determine a person is re-selling tickets, we reserve the right to revoke/cancel the order and restrict future purchases by that person/affiliated persons. We reserve the right, without compensation or refund of any amount paid, to revoke tickets, refuse admission, or dismiss any person whose conduct we deem disorderly or non-compliant with policies or rules/regulations of the venue. Tickets obtained by non-verified sources are void

Washrooms

Portable toilets will be available for use within the garden. Full-service washrooms are located in the Visitor Centre.

Parking

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).

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.

Weather

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes as the event is outdoors. Rain or shine the event will go on.

If there are extraordinary weather conditions, or unforeseen circumstances that require the Garden to close, all ticket holders will be contacted directly by email.

For updates, follow us on Facebook External link icon, Instagram External link icon, and Twitter External link icon

Accessibility

Main garden paths are paved and fully accessible for wheelchairs.

All portable toilets are 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. 

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.

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.