Let there be light:

Park Board’s Festival of Lights is bigger and better!

VanDusen Botanical Garden—one of North America’s top public gardens—kicks off the holiday season

Five more acres have been added to the 31st annual Festival of Lights (FOL), sponsored by Vancouver International Airport (YVR). A million lights will decorate 15 acres (6 hectares) nightly throughout December (closed December 25).

“Festival of Lights is one of Vancouver’s most popular winter events and a not to be missed holiday tradition for so many,” said Vancouver Park Board Vice Chair Sarah Kirby-Yung.

“This December the Park Board is also launching Enchanted Nights at Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park. As part of the inaugural year, FOL visitors can enjoy two events for the price of one as all tickets include free entry to Enchanted Nights.”

FOL is one of the city’s most iconic holiday experiences. Stroll through themed and interactive areas including Lantern Alley, Gingerbread Wood, New Loop, Sound House and Light Wave. The enthralling Dancing Lights on Livingstone Lake is a highlight. Every half hour on the half hour, thousands of lights “dance” to seasonal music.

Visitors can have photos taken with Santa, enjoy comedic performances by Scandinavian Gnomes Svend and Jens, join the Vancouver Public Library for holiday storytelling, check out the toy train, take in performances from the Bach Choir and Thunderbird Choir on select nights or sing along to holiday tunes. Visitors can also light up interactive icebergs in Heather Pond with voice activated technology.

New this year is Jardins de Paris. Stop by the Eiffel Tower to take a selfie and share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #JardinsDeParis for a chance to win two tickets to Paris, courtesy of Air France and YVR.

Each year FOL partners with Make-A-Wish Foundation create the ethereal Candle Grotto where visitors can make a donation and light a candle or purchase a glow star necklace. The Make-A-Wish Room of Joy inside the Visitor Centre will feature a LEGO display by the Vancouver LEGO Club.

There will be plenty to eat during the festival. Shaughnessy Restaurant is hosting Santa’s Kitchen, Frosty’s Patio & Bar in the Garden. Truffles Café is operating a pop-up café just inside the garden entrance. Both restaurants are also open for dinner. Food trucks, including Cin City Donuts, Mogu and Whistler Wood Fired Pizza, will be onsite.

Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and youth, $9 for children and $36 for families. Children two and under are free. Advance tickets can be purchased at the admissions desk at VanDusen during regular garden hours or online.

Parking is free, but limited and VanDusen strongly recommends FOL visitors take public transit, walk or bike. More information

The Park Board wishes to thank sponsor YVR and media partners CTV, QMFM, Georgia Straight, Vancity Buzz and Ming Pao.

VanDusen Garden and Bloedel Conservatory are jointly operated by the Park Board and VanDusen Botanical Garden Association.