Grab a hot cup of chocolate and explore beautiful VanDusen Botanical Garden during the 32nd annual Festival of Lights (FOL), Vancouver’s premier and longest running holiday event.
More than 15 acres of the Garden will be decorated with one million lights. The event includes the Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake, roving Scandinavian gnomes, music, tasty treats and drinks, and Santa.
“FOL is one of Vancouver’s most popular winter events and a not-to-be-missed holiday tradition for so many and, new this year, is a holiday carousel, which is included with admission,” said Vancouver Park Board Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung.
The event has raised more than $350,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation. Last year, $50,000 was raised—enough to grant five wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. This is the 16th year that Make-A-Wish has partnered with FOL. Donations in the candle grotto and sales of glow star necklaces help make children’s wishes come true.
"We love being a part of the Festival of Lights every year," said Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon CEO Ross Hetherington. "This incredible holiday event brings great awareness to our cause, and is a substantial fundraiser for our foundation. We are very thankful for the continued support of the Vancouver Park Board.”
Garden visitors can also experience the romance of Paris right here in Vancouver! Stop by the Eiffel Tower to take a selfie under the dazzling lights and share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #JardinsDeParis for a chance to win two economy tickets to Paris, courtesy of Air France and YVR.
There is also a photo contest this year. Visitors can use #VanDusenFOL and post event photos on Twitter or Instagram for a chance to win prizes, including a one-year membership to VanDusen Garden.
FOL runs nightly between December 1 and January 2 and is closed December 25. More information can be found at vancouver.ca/VanDusenFOL. VanDusen Botanical Garden, located in the heart of Vancouver, spans across 55 acres with more than 7,500 unique species and varieties of plants arranged in 50 distinct collections.
People who buy tickets for FOL also will also receive a free ticket to Holiday Heights at Bloedel.
Holiday Heights at Bloedel runs every evening in Queen Elizabeth Park between December 9 and January 2 except December 25. The new event includes festive lights by MK Illumination (the same agency behind Luna the Lumiere Whale in Morton Park), music, a holiday scavenger hunt, 200 free-flying birds, and 500 exotic plants and flowers. A ride on the ferris wheel, located on the plaza outside Bloedel Conservatory, is included with admission.
Bloedel Conservatory and VanDusen Garden are jointly operated by the Vancouver Park Board and Vancouver Botanical Garden Association.
