It’s the most wonderful time of the year … at VanDusen Festival of Lights

VanDusen Botanical Garden is getting all gussied up for the holidays!

The 33rd annual VanDusen Festival of Lights (FOL)—Vancouver’s premier and longest running holiday event—returns December 1 to January 7 (closed December 25).

“The festival is so popular that this year we’re extending it for another week. New this year is an indoor entertainment area with live performances every night and an outdoor licensed area with fire pits,” said Vancouver Park Board Chair Michael Wiebe.

More than 15 acres of the Garden will be decorated with millions of lights. FOL includes the Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake, stories and selfies with Santa, indoor Festival Stage with entertainment, licensed fireside lounge, and the Air France carousel.

Look out for selfie spots and photo opportunities and share with #VanDusenFOL.

All FOL activities are included with admission. A wide selection of food trucks will be on site serving up their savoury creations, along with on-site favourites Shaughnessy Restaurant and Truffles Café.

FOL will be partnering with Make-A-Wish Foundation for the 17th consecutive year. More than $400,000 has been raised for Make-A-Wish during this time, including $59,000 last year – enough to grant the wishes of five children living with life-threatening medical conditions. Donations in the candle grotto and sales of glow star necklaces help make children’s wishes come true.

“FOL makes the holidays magical,” said Ross Hetherington, CEO, Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon, “and thanks to our partnership with this event, we get to make sure some of that special feeling gets spread throughout the year through the granting of some amazing wishes. We are very thankful for the continued support of the Vancouver Park Board.”

VanDusen FOL is sponsored by YVR in partnership with Air France.

“YVR is a community-based organization and supporting our local community is fundamental to us. We are thrilled to partner with FOL for the third consecutive year,” said Kim Halowski, Manager of Community Relations, Vancouver Airport Authority. “We look forward to providing guests with a great experience on the Air France carousel and a chance to win two tickets to Paris!”

When riding the carousel, snap, share and tag your photos on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, using the hashtag #AFxParisCarousel, for a chance to win tickets.

To save money and skip the lineup, buy tickets online. More information about the event can be found at vandusenfestivaloflights.ca

People who buy tickets for FOL also will also receive a free ticket to Holiday Heights at Bloedel – Arctic Oasis, which runs December 15 to January 7 (closed December 25). More information at vancouver.ca/holidayheights

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.

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