In my 8 years that I’ve lived in Vancouver I had yet to visit VanDusen Botanical Gardens. I had always wanted to get my camera and walk around the 55 acres and just go crazy, but never just got off my butt and just went. It’s interesting to note that the lands was the Shaughnessy Golf Club from 1911 until 1960 until it moved to its current location. The VanDusen Botanical Gardens didn’t open until August 30, 1975. This coming year, 2010, will mark the parks 35th year!
This past Boxing Day a friend of ours suggested we venture to the gardens to check out their Festival of Lights which this year takes place from December 11, 2009 to January 3, 2010 between the hours of 4:30 to 9pm daily except Christmas Day. Admission is only $11.45 for adults, $8.30 for Seniors and young adults, $6.25 for children and a family pass for $26 which includes 2 adults and and their children.
This year some of the highlights include:
- Santa’s Living Room: Dec. 11 – 24 with Santa appearances 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 p.m.
- Svend and Jens, our Scandinavian Christmas Elves appear nightly in the Centre Court
- Starchild and Company’s puppet show featuring The Sugar Plum Fairy’s Garden: Dec. 26 – Jan. 3, in Santa’s Living Room at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 p.m.
- Dancing Lights on Livingstone Lake: starting at 4:30 p.m. Two different shows – one show on the half hour and a different one at the top of the hour. Two different shows repeating in sequence throughout the evening.
- Gingerbread Wood
- Golden Chain Walk
- Community Choir Concerts on the Deck at 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm, dates and choirs TBA
- Make-a-Wish Candle Shrine
- Candy Cane Lane
- Sparkling Spruce in the Centre Court
- Candy Cane Express model train
We arrived just before 6:30pm on a foggy night, which quickly left as we entered the grounds. Alas I was hoping for some fog to start off the evening, I was glad there wasn’t any during our Dancing Light show. The following are some of the shots I took.
The fog did later roll in and I managed to take some extra shots.
It was great fun. My only suggestion is to make sure you are dressed warmly and bring your own hot chocolate. The kids will love the puppet show and singing elves that will walk around the gardens. Enjoy yourself!!
You can view all the photos on my Flickr set including a video of the light show.
Awesome job capturing the light displays Gus!
I haven’t been to Van Dusen’s either and we thought about going this year. Guess we’ll have to wait until next year since we won’t be back in time.
What sort of settings did you use to capture the lights? I know there are some people out there who would love some tips!
Good point. I’ll have to learn how to do that – after all I have to learn what they mean first