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Festival of Lights

Wednesday, November 29 2023 - Sunday, January 5 2025

Step into a botanical wonderland this holiday season at VanDusen Festival of Lights. Explore 15 acres adorned with over 1 million twinkling lights, featuring a new interactive mycelium installation, and a display inspired by the Great Bear Rainforest of BC.

Bloedel Conservatory to Temporarily close for Accessibility Improvements

Monday, October 28 - Friday, January 3 2025

Bloedel Conservatory will be temporarily closed to the public starting October 28, 2024, to accommodate necessary pathway repairs aimed at improving accessibility for visitors and staff.

The project is expected to take approximately two months, with plans to reopen in early January, 2025. Learn more.

Unlock Nature's Magic

Wednesday, December 25

🎁 Give the gift of Garden Membership !

Enjoy endless days of beauty and discovery with a Garden Membership!

Experience year-round access to VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory, save on special events like the enchanting Festival of Lights, get first dibs on our popular summer kids’ camps, and so much more!

Learn More
Bloom Calendar

Spring

Monday, March 20 2023 - Wednesday, June 21 2023

In spring the Garden is bursting with cheerful rhododendrons, stunning magnolias, delicate cherry blossoms and bloom-full camellias –  to mention a few…

Learn More

Summer

Wednesday, June 21 2023 - Friday, September 22 2023

Summer in the Garden features vibrant colours and fragrant smells for our visitors to enjoy.

Learn More

Fall

Saturday, September 23 2023 - Thursday, December 21 2023

Autumn colours are absolutely stunning at the Garden, and there are plenty of blooms still showing.

Learn More

Winter

Thursday, December 21 2023 - Sunday, March 24

The winter Garden features muted colour palettes, stunning silhouettes and a scattering of colour with winter berries and blooms.

 

Learn More
Courses

Pine Needle Basketry: Okanagan Traditions

Tuesday, November 5 - Tuesday, December 10 11:00am - 1:00pm

This workshop involves creating small pine needle baskets using pine needles collected from the Okanagan, sinew, and a lot of patience. Over this six-week series, taught by Dave McKeown from Terri’s Native Crafts, you will make your own small basket to take home.

Terri’s Native Crafts was established 30 years ago by Terri and Dave McKeown to help Terri reconnect with her St’at’imc heritage. Following Terri’s passing, her husband Dave and granddaughter Jess McKeown continue to follow the powwow trail in her memory. Dave, who has been weaving for 15 years, was taught by elders.

Watercolour: Silhouettes

Thursday, November 7 - Thursday, November 28 10:00am - 12:30pm

Discover the stark beauty of silhouettes in this 4-session watercolour painting series!
Learn how to capture the essence of leafless trees, the striking North Shore mountains, plants, and even human figures using simple watercolour techniques. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this course offers an opportunity to unleash your creativity.

Instructor Susan Pearson will provide image references for inspiration, but participants are also encouraged to bring their reference materials. Bring your imagination and curiosity, and let’s explore what we can create together!

Seasonal Garden Design Essentials (Online)

Tuesday, November 12 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Let’s explore the possibilities, from flowers to fruit to foliage and form!

Presented by Janis Matson, this seasonal landscape design session includes a discussion of design ideas focusing on plant selection and solutions that create year-round interest in the garden. The integration of colour, texture, and structure of plants adds value and enjoyment to the garden regardless of the season.

Register

Naturalist's Journal: Botanical Drawing (Online)

Wednesday, November 20 - Wednesday, December 4

Join this three-session series with artist and educator Katharine Dickinson to enhance your drawing skills.

Observational drawing focuses on accurately depicting what you see directly from nature using pencil on paper. Through this process, you’ll learn to identify and record the unique characteristics of plants by applying the elements of art—line, shape, form, and colour—and developing your own distinctive botanical drawings.

Explore various techniques for quickly capturing plants from different angles and with close-up details. Additionally, you will gain tips for organizing your pages so that images and text flow together in harmony.

Register

Houseplants: Foundations for a Thriving Indoor Garden

Wednesday, November 20 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Have you ever struggled to keep tropical plants healthy and thriving?

Build your confidence and gain practical plant care tips at this interactive workshop. You’ll learn about the specific needs and preferences of tropical plants with straightforward advice on light requirements, fertilizing, watering, and more.

By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of best practices to help your tropical plants flourish in your home environment.

Speaker Series: Why Vancouver's Geology Matters (Hybrid format)

Wednesday, November 27 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Presenter: Prof. John Clague
Topic: Why Vancouver’s Geology Matters 

In the final 2024 Speaker Series, Prof. Clague will explore how geology shaped Metro Vancouver’s development and continues to impact its nearly 3 million residents.

He will discuss the region’s geologic framework, its influence on Vancouver’s settlement, and how past political decisions tied to the landscape have contributed to current challenges like earthquakes, floods, and infrastructure issues.

Attend In person: click here

Holiday Wreathmaking Workshop

Saturday, November 30 - Sunday, December 1

Join us for this family-friendly event!

Kick off the holiday season by creating a fresh, fragrant wreath to decorate your home this festive season! Learning to make a traditional wreath is a fun and simple activity that anyone can learn to do, all it takes is a little guidance and creativity to transform natural materials into a masterpiece!

Enjoy a warm drink as you work with our VBGA instructor to create your own holiday décor.

Saturday, November 30th Workshop: SOLD OUT

or

Sunday, December 1st Workshop: SOLD OUT