A Festive Night Out at Winter Wonders - Royal Botanical Gardens

Looking for an activity in the GTA that will get you in the holiday spirit? The annual Winter Wonders event at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario is a unique indoor/outdoor experience that celebrates the magic of the winter season and is fun for all ages.

During Winter Wonders, the RBG is transformed into a winter wonderland with dazzling lights, festive displays of plants and seasonal decor, entertainment, a botanical train display, holiday treats and unique gift shopping. It’s a holiday dream come true!

Winter Wonders takes place Thursdays to Sundays from December 5, 2024 – January 5, 2025 with a few exceptions.

Festive display of greener, poinsettias, a white carved deer and white lights around a black and red sleigh. — A festive welcome to the RBG

It’s best to buy tickets in advance for this popular timed-entry event as walk-ups will only be accommodated if there are spaces available. We bought our tickets the same day as we planned to visit and the only time slots available were 8:00 and 8:30 pm which was fine for us but if you have young children then you might want to plan ahead to get the prime spots.

Hendrie Park Lights and Displays

The highlight of Winter Wonders is the outdoor display in Hendrie Park where visitors stroll the garden’s picturesque pathways adorned with charming festive lights, interactive light to sound installations, and magical displays.

Entrance to Hendrie Park with RBG lights and stars overhead. — Entrance to Hendrie Park

Decorated Christmas trees and sheds outdoors at night in Hendrie Park at the Royal Botanical Gardens. — Winter Village in Hendrie Park – Royal Botanical Gardens

Some of the most popular installations are The Singing Tree which magically lights up in reaction to songs, claps or cheers and Tree Love (artist – ZEM) aka the hugging tree that lights up when hugs are received. We remembered the singing tree from our last visit to Winter Wonders two years ago but the rest of the installations and displays were new to us.

Large tree dripping with chains of lights - the singing tree at the Royal Botanical Gardens. — The Singing Tree at RBG

As you wander through the gardens enjoying the lights, you will find a number of displays that are perfect for taking family or group photos. My favourite displays this year were the life-size snow globes with holiday scenes.

The word 'Wish' in white lights surrounded by gold star lights at the RBG Winter Wonders. — Make a wish at Winter Wonders

Outdoor snow globe with scene of adult deer and fawn, Christmas tree, snowflakes - Royal Botanical Gardens Winter Wonders event. — One of the beautiful snow globes at Winter Wonders

People walking by trees with lanterns and lights casting red glow - Royal Botanical Gardens. — Light display in Hendrie Park at the RBG – Winter Wonders

Warm drinks and treats are available in the gardens and there are also fire pits where you can take a seat and warm up on a chilly night.

Chairs around a firepit with lights of Hendrie Park in the background at Winter Wonders, Royal Botanical Garden. — Fire pit for warming up on a winter’s night

Be sure to dress for the weather as most of the event is outdoors, wear appropriate footwear for outdoor walkways and be mindful of your step.

Christmas tree decorated with balls, ribbons and blue lights displayed beside a gold lit-up star in Hendrie Park at the Royal Botanical Gardens as part of Winter Wonders. — Hendrie Park Christmas display

The RBG Botanical Train

Inspired by nature and crafted entirely from plant materials (except for the trains), the ever popular Botanical Train display located indoors at the RBG takes staff 250 hours to assemble each year. Huge planters made from almost 7 tonnes of cedar slab are filled with 2,500 plants to create a seasonal backdrop for seven different lines of model train tracks. Follow the trains on their journey past scale models of iconic Canadian landmarks constructed entirely from plant materials!

The Botanical Train display is open during the day and also remains open during evening hours requiring a Winter Wonders ticket during that time period.

This whimsical exhibit is always my favourite during the RBG holiday celebration – it’s so much fun to see the excitement of young visitors as they watch the trains circle the tracks!

Botanical train display at Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario during Winter Wonders event. — The botanical train display at Royal Botanical Gardens

Thomas the Tank engine pulling two cars on tracks passing Canadian Parliament buildings - botanical train display at the Royal Botanical Gardens during Winter Wonders event. — Botanical Train Exhibit

There is a second Escarpment Train model train exhibit at the Rock Garden (1185 York Blvd, Hamilton) where visitors can journey through four seasons of whimsical Canadian landscapes and learn the story of how railroads shaped our history.

This exhibit is located indoors at the Robert Stipe Garden House but you have to walk through the outdoor Rock Garden to access it. Open during the day (10:30 am – 3:30 pm) from November 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025 (Saturdays and Sundays Nov 30 to Dec 22 and Thursdays to Sundays Dec 27 to January 5).

Festive Indoor Displays in the RBG Centre

From the moment you arrive at the RBG, there is holiday music and festive displays that are sure to have you feeling the spirit of the season.

The poinsettia display in the Breezeway is always one of my favourites and this year’s was memorable with the large white ornamental balls suspended above the display of poinsettia plants.

white lights on tree-shaped structures and white, pink and red poinsettias at the Royal Botanical Gardens for Winter Wonders. — Festive displays at the RBG

Large white ornamental balls with star cut-outs hang over display of red and white poinsettias at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario during Winter Wonders event. — Poinsettia display in the Breezeway at the Royal Botanical Gardens

The freshly rejuvenated Mediterranean Garden greenhouse also has gorgeous festive displays of plants, lights and decor.

Grey stone fountain and white ceramic deer surrounded by poinsettias and greenery in Mediterranean Garden at RBG. — The Mediterranean Garden at RBG

Entertainment at Winter Wonders

Visitors to Winter Wonders will also enjoy a festival schedule of live entertainment in the Atrium of the RBG which includes a variety of vocalists and musicians as well as roaming entertainers. We saw a man on stilts just outside the RBG Centre entrance to Hendrie Park the evening of our visit and the kids that were passing by were fascinated by him!

Outdoor entertainment at the RBG during Winter Wonders

Food, Drink and Shopping

No festive event would be complete without tasty food and drinks! Winter Wonders Sips & Bites are available both indoors and outdoors – at the bar in the atrium and also at outdoor food and beverage stations (outdoor locations are cashless). Winter Wonders is a licensed event and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those age 19+ with valid I.D.

Available warm holiday treats include cookies, cider donuts and lollipops while bites include spinach and feta pastries, sausage rolls, popcorn and pretzel bites with cheddar sauce. Non-alcoholic beverages include hot cocoa with or without whipped cream, hot cider, coffee, juice, soft drinks, boxed water and lemonade. Choices for alcoholic drinks include hot chocolate or coffee with liqueur, apple cider with whiskey, craft beer and house wine.

The Greenhouse Café located near the event exit by the Botanical Train display is also open during Winter Wonders if you would like to start or end your visit with a meal.

While inside the RBG Centre, visitors can also shop for a special gift in the RBG Garden Shop which has a variety of unique items including RBG merchandise, cozy candles, festive decor, jewelry, clothing, educational games and toys, books, sustainable products and tools, containers and statuary for the garden.

Visitors buying food and drinks in atrium of RBG with background of greenery and blue Welcome to Winter Wonders sign.

Additional Holiday Activities

There are a couple of additional holiday activities at the RBG including:

The RBG Express – a round trip train ride through beautiful Hendrie Park available on day-time visits from December 5 – January 5 (with some exceptions) for an additional cost of $10 (+HST) per train car (maximum of 4 people per car).

Santa’s Brunch – Pre-registration is required for this popular brunch event with Santa and Mrs. Claus which sells out quickly. December 14 and 15, 2024

RBG Express train parked near entrance to Hendrie Park. — The RBG Express train

How To Get To the RBG

The RBG Centre is located at 680 Plains Rd. W. in Burlington south of Highway 403 between Waterdown Road and Highway 6.

The garden is located along bus routes for Burlington Transit and there are stops near the entrance. If travelling via GO Transit, take the Lakeshore West train to Burlington Station and then transfer to Burlington Transit Route 1 Plains to Hamilton. Saturdays only there is also a complimentary shuttle from Aldershot Station to the RBG. Kids under 12 ride free on the GO.

What You Need To Know

Timed tickets are required for entry to this event and there is a half hour entry window for each time slot. Plan to spend 1-2 hours at the event.
Adult Admission: $20 (+HST & $1 Service Fee); Child (age 3-12): $16 (+HST & $1 Service Fee); Infant/Toddler (age 0-2): Free; RBG Members: $10 (+HST & $1 Service Fee). Tickets are non-refundable and final sale.
This event runs rain or shine.
Closed December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1st.
During Winter Wonders, the RBG is open 10 am – 4 pm and re-opens at 5 pm – 10 pm.
Pets are not permitted with the exception of service dogs.
Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
Washrooms are available indoors at the RBG and also at the Turner Pavilion Teahouse in Hendrie Park.
Parking is included and available at the large lot at the RBG with additional parking available in the small Cherry Hill parking lot across the street.