Upcoming Events
The Garden Respite Fund
Next year, 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health challenge*. For as little as $15, you can give someone going through some of the hardest times in their life a place to reflect, find peace, and begin to heal.
By donating to the Garden Respite Fund, your donation will help families spend quality time together when they are grieving. You will empower counselors to provide walk & talk therapy. You can give countless people facing extreme hardship a chance to find peace among the trees.
Please consider helping those who need it most.
*Mental Health Commission of Canada, "Making the Case for Investing in Mental Health in Canada"
Festival of Lights 2025
Step into a botanical wonderland this holiday season at VanDusen Festival of Lights. Explore 15 acres adorned with over 1 million twinkling lights, themed displays, food vendors and more!
Garden Members save on admission with proof of membership.
Medicine Wheel Ceremony
Sunday, December 21, 12 pm to 3 pm in the Floral Hall. A potluck/feast will follow.
People from varying backgrounds and spiritual traditions are invited to gather and celebrate the beginning of the winter season at VanDusen Garden Botanical Garden. The Medicine Wheel is a symbol of holistic teachings based on the cycles of nature. Drumming and prayers are shared at this event.
As this is an indoor event and it does not necessitate garden entry, there is no cost or registration required for this Winter Solstice medicine wheel ceremony. There is free parking in VanDusen Botanical Garden’s parking lot.
We will return to the usual spot at the garden Medicine Wheel for the Spring Equinox in March.
Who: All are welcome to join elders Phil Mechuskosis L’Hirondelle and Gisele L’Hirondelle from ‘All My Relations Teachings’ to celebrate the winter solstice and to usher in the new season. Read an interview here: VanDusen Botanical Garden | Medicine Wheel Ceremony: Interview with Elder Phil L’Hirondelle (vandusengarden.org)
Where: In the Floral Hall (in the Administration Building). This is an older wood building just off the parking lot.
What to bring:
- A small stone(s) to infuse prayers into
- Bring a small, wrapped gift for the give-away blanket.
- Optional: Food to share with community at the end of the ceremony, and/or a drum if you have one
Contact: For more information, please contact Rachelle Packwood, Natural & Cultural Heritage Coordinator at rpackwood@vandusen.org
