The beautiful and internationally renowned VanDusen Botanical Garden is celebrating its 32nd annual Festival of Lights (FOL), Vancouver’s premier and longest-running holiday event, during which the Garden is turned into a magical winter wonderland.
VanDusen Botanical Garden, located in the heart of Vancouver, spans across more than 222,000 square metres, with more than 7,500 unique species and varieties of plants arranged in 50 distinct collections. More than 60,000 square metres have been decorated with one-million lights to create the annual FOL Garden transformation.
The festival includes a Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake, roving Scandinavian gnomes, reindeer, music, tasty treats and drinks, Santa and, new this year, a carousel ride that is included free with the purchase of entry tickets.
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.
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.”
FOL runs nightly between December 1 and January 2, 2017 and is closed Sunday, December 25.
More information can be found at vancouver.ca/VanDusenFOL.
