VanDusen Festival of Lights 2026: Vancouver Winter Guide and Ticketing Tips

The VanDusen Festival of Lights returns to Vancouver, transforming the 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden into an illuminated winter landscape featuring millions of lights, themed displays, and animated installations.

Key Dates and Entry Times

The 2026 festival is expected to run daily from Friday, November 28, 2026, through Sunday, January 4, 2027, with the exception of Christmas Day on December 25th. Timed-entry slots generally start between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM and run through the evening.

Tickets and Booking Rules

Tickets must be purchased online in advance through the official VanDusen Botanical Garden website. There are no on-site ticket sales or walk-ups permitted. Estimated ticket prices in Canadian dollars include:

• Adult (19-64): CAD $25 - $30

• Senior (65+): CAD $20 - $25

• Youth (13-18): CAD $20 - $25

• Child (4-12): CAD $15 - $20

• Infant/Toddler (0-3): Free with a reserved ticket

• Family Pass (2 Adults + 2 Children): CAD $70 - $85

Tickets sell out quickly, particularly for weekend slots and dates close to Christmas. Weekday evenings in early December and early January tend to be less crowded.

Getting There and Transport

The garden is located at 5251 Oak Street. Public transit is recommended due to limited on-site parking.

• Bus: The #17 Oak/Downtown bus stops directly outside the entrance.

• SkyTrain: Take the Canada Line to Oakridge-41st Avenue Station, then walk or connect to the #17 bus. TransLink accepts contactless credit cards, mobile payments, and Compass Cards, with standard adult fares around CAD $3.50.

• Driving: On-site and street parking fill up quickly, and parking restrictions apply on surrounding residential streets. A designated drop-off and pick-up zone is located on Oak Street.

Main Attractions

The outdoor walking experience features the Dancing Lights on Livingstone Lake with music-synchronized shows, the Rose Garden, and Gnome Hollow. Formal dining is available at the Shaughnessy Restaurant inside the garden.

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