Festival of Lights - VanDusen Botanical Garden (Video)

Gorgeous sparkles and twinkles decorating the winter garden! This really is a magical walk in the park when you make a visit to VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver every Holiday season. To be honest, I was not expecting MUCH and did not even bring my camera. On top of that, my phone decided to die after a few minutes entering the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden.

Ryan thinks it is a blessing when I don't have a camera/phone on me though - so that we can truly enjoy the scenery and carry on the appreciative thoughts. Anywho, I only have few photos to share but please consider them a preview! The virtual experience is nowhere comparable to the actual visit with hot cocoa in your hands and the cold wind tickling your cheeks! :-P

Majority of my photos are only of "Dancing Lights Show on Lake" and it is quite a delight to watch the lights dancing synchronized with the festive music that plays throughout the park area. I thought the flower garden made with recycled plastic bottles were quite brilliant in promoting green environment.

VanDusen Garden is considered one of the top gardens in North America and your experience may heighten even more in the romantic Christmas Season.  Please find below for more information:

VanDusen Botanical Garden | Bloedel Conservatory

Phone: 604-257-8335
Address: 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver (at West 37th Avenue)
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/festival-of-lights.aspx

Schedule: December 10, 2014 - Jan 4, 2015 (closed on Christmas Day)
Highlights & Shows offered (information from the above website)

Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake with modern and classic sets

• Schedule for modern set: 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm, and 9:00pm
• Schedule for classic set: 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm, and 9:30pm (December 19 – 23 only)
• Show length: 8 minutes

Photos with Santa

• Schedule: 5:00pm to 8:45pm from December 10 to 24 (closed every hour from :45 to :00)
• On-site photo fee applies

Scandinavian Gnome performances

• Schedule: 5:45pm, 6:45pm, 7:45pm, and 8:45pm
• Show length: 15 minutes
• Indoors

Make-A-Wish "Room of Joy" display by the Vancouver Lego Club

• Indoors
• Hoth for the Holidays theme (It's Star Wars. Get it?)
• Glow star necklaces by donation ($5.00 suggested) 

Make-A-Wish candle grotto

• Light a wish candle
• Donations welcome

Themed areas

• Gingerbread Wood
• Lantern Alley
• Mistletoe Mischief
• Candy Cane Lane

Shadow puppet show

• Schedule: 5:15pm, 6:15pm, 7:15pm, and 8:15pm
• Show length: 15 minutes
• Indoors

Nat's Tip: do not line up to purchase the ticket at the garden! The lines to purchase the tickets are literally 30-40 minutes long if you're waiting in line. There is another line on the right hand side for visitors who's already purchased the tickets online - almost no waits! The staff helping visitors on the lines were kindly informing this information however not many people took advantage of this option and waited in line forever and ever. We ended up purchasing the tickets on my phone on the spot (hence the phone died more quickly) to avoid the wait. 

Enjoy & Happy Holidays to Everyone! :-)