Alice in Bloomland: A Whimsical World of Floral Fun

Need an escape from winter but can’t get out of town? Then head to Burlington, Ontario to experience an enchanting floral wonderland inspired by the pages of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as part of the Royal Botanical Garden’s winter showcase Alice in Bloomland.

February 1st – March 30th, 2025

White rabbit in gold vest and red bow tie surrounded by greenery in front of Alice in Bloomland sign at Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario. — Alice in Bloomland

You Might Also Enjoy Reading:

A Festive Night Out at Winter Wonders – Royal Botanical Gardens

Visiting the RBG Arboretum – A Hidden Gem in the GTA

Alice in Bloomland is a whimsical and colourful escape on a cold winter’s day to a garden filled with fragrant blooms. The botanical experience features 25,000 real orchids blooming in the exhibit – an enchanting dash of colour and a promise of the coming spring.

From the moment that you enter the RBG Centre, you will be marvelling at the beautiful flowers and the curious plant displays as well as the life-size Alice-inspired pieces. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the journey into Alice’s topsy-turvy world where “the ordinary becomes extraordinary” with an exhibit that “fills the season with colour, wonder and a dash of madness”.

This is a timed-ticket event and pre-registration is required.

We spent a little more than an hour viewing the Alice in Bloomland showcase as well as the textile-based art exhibit “Of Wonders Wild and New” by Cobalt Connects and were delighted by both exhibits. I would have loved to have attended a sitting of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party as well but it wasn’t available on the day of our visit.

On the weekend, visitors can also meet various whimsical characters who will be strolling around the RBG Centre. There is also a 19+ after hours event scheduled for a couple of evenings during the run of the exhibit.

Tea pots, tea cups, cakes, treats, flowers on table set for tea as part of Alice in Bloomland display at the Royal Botanical Gardens. — Alice in Bloomland display

Entrance and Garden Shop

There are Alice in Bloomland displays in the entrance way and through the Garden Shop so you will be oohing and aahing before staff have even scanned your entrance ticket. The Camilla and Peter Dalglish Atrium also has a display hanging from the high ceiling above the play area.

If you have young children with you then be sure to factor in play time at the Imagination Playground in the Camilla and Peter Dalglish Atrium as entrance is also included with Alice in Bloomland admission. The day we visited there were several children having a blast using the uniquely shaped foam blocks to build all sorts of creative structures.

Cheshire Cat made from plant material on tree branch with hanging tea cups and saucers as well as flowers at the Royal Botanical Gardens' Alice in Bloomland showcase. — Cheshire Cat at RBG Centre entrance

Royal Botanical Gardens Alice in Bloomland winter showcase - entranceway display of sofa made from plant materials, pink orchards, stacks of books, grandfather clock and wall clock. — Alice in Bloomland display

Whimsical display of flowers, furniture and odds and ends with blue hanging clock - Royal Botanical Gardens Alice in Bloomland showcase. — Display in The Gardens Shop

Small glass top table with glass bottle containing blue liquid and tag reading 'Drink Me' and small covered cake stand with squares of dessert with tag reading "Eat Me' surrounded by colourful flowers and greenery. — Eat Me, Drink Me

Foyer and McQuesten Theatre

Once you leave the Garden Shop and enter the Foyer and McQuesten Theatre area of the RBG Centre you will find a number of delightful displays including a Mad Hatter floral tophat hanging from the ceiling, the Caterpillar, a fun photo-op with playing cards, a whimsical table set for tea and more.

Large colourful top hat made from flowers suspended from ceiling at the Royal Botanical Gardens as part of the Alice in Bloomland showcase. — The Mad Hatter’s Top Hat

White loveseat with two red and two black heart-shaped cushions in front of greenery surrounded by arch display of clocks with Alice in Wonderland theme - Alice in Bloomland at Royal Botanical Gardens. — Fun photo spot

Large display of blue and green caterpillar sitting on a toadstool - Alice in Bloomland - Royal Botanical Gardens. — The Caterpillar

Small beige and dark brown cottage with rabbit ears on roof surrounded by flowers and red and white polka dot toadstools - Alice in Bloomland - Royal Botanical Garden. — White Rabbit’s House – Alice in Bloomland

My absolute favourite part of the showcase was the tea party display. It was so colourful and whimsical – I took dozens of photos while my husband waited patiently!

Whimsical tea table display - Alice in Bloomland at Royal Botanical Gardens. — Alice in Bloomland Tea Party display

Brightly coloured floral centerpiece surrounded by whimsical tea items - Alice in Bloomland at Royal Botanical Gardens. — Alice in Bloomland tea table display in RBG Centre

Display of "treats" for tea on table - Alice in Bloomland - Royal Botanical Gardens Winter Showcase. — Tea Time at the Royal Botanical Gardens – Alice in Bloomland winter showcase

Breezeway Display

En route to the Mediterranean Garden, you will also find an enchanting display in the Breezeway which includes characters painting roses red and the Queen of Hearts’ soldiers standing guard in the beds of flowers.

Two soldiers made from hearts playing cards holding swords standing amidst flowers and greenery. — The Queen of Hearts’ soldiers in the Breezeway at RBG

Mediterranean Garden

There are two levels of whimsical displays throughout the Mediterranean Garden so be sure to take the stairs up to the second level as well. The highlight of this area is the royal couple decked out in red, white and gold and surrounded by red roses.

Mediterranean Garden stone water fountain surrounded by greenery, flowers, ceramic flamingoes, colourful teapots hanging from branches and a large 9 of spades playing card. — Special Mediterranean Garden displays during Alice in Bloomland

Male and female mannequins wearing red, gold and white costumes with white wigs sit on gold chairs in front of display of red roses at RBG Alice in Bloomland. — Royalty at Alice in Bloomland

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is a separate ticketed event held in the Tea House in Hendrie Park with reservations required. There are three seatings each day (at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm) Wednesdays through Sundays and daily during March Break.

Reservations include one Tea Tower per person which is prepaid at the time of booking. The Towers ($36-$38) include a selection of savoury and sweet treats in addition to tea and there are vegetarian and vegan options available as well as an Alice’s Tea for guests aged 10 and under ($19).

Fibre Arts Exhibit

Admission to the art exhibit Of Wonders Wild and New by Cobalt Connects is also included with tickets for Alice in Bloomland. This exhibit features nine contemporary fibre artists from around the world who created textile-based art works that explore the broad themes of Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

'Ode to a Prairie' by Amanda McCavour embroidery display at the Royal Botanical Gardens. — ‘Ode to a Prairie’ by Amanda McCavour

'A Portal Blooms in the Cradle of Night' fibre installation by Sienna Martz at the Royal Botanical Gardens. — ‘A Portal Blooms in the Cradle of Night’ by Sienna Martz

What You Need To Know

The Alice in Bloomland experience at the RBG Centre (680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington) will take place February 1 to March 30, 2025.
Tuesdays to Sundays. Closed Mondays. Exceptions apply. Standard hours are 10 am – 5 pm but vary so check the RBG website to confirm.
RBG After Dark is a 19+ experience held on February 20th and March 20th from 6-10pm. This is a licensed event with signature cocktails, food and music.
Admission Fees for Adults: $19.50 + HST + $2 service fee (off-peak hours) and $24.50 + HST + $2 service fee (peak hours). Reduced admission fees for Seniors, Students and Children. Age 2 and under are free. Included with Membership during Off-Peak hours, $5 for members during Peak hours – registration is required.
Tickets are non-refundable and final sale.