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Festival of Lights
Category: Arts & Entertainment Festivals Festivals [Edit]
Van Dusen Botanical Garden5251 Oak St
Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1
Neighbourhood: Shaughnessy
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Festival of Lights
5 reviews in English
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Review from Evilyn T.
12/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
SInce we aren't getting a tree this year (downsizing sucks) I decided our list of festive activities should include a trip to Van Dusen to see the Festival of Lights. I had been once before long long ago and remembered it to be a wonderland of glowing lights and warm hearts. However, upon my return this year, I felt like there was less to see than previosuly. Now this could be due to the fact that on my first adventure to the Festival I had glasses and it happened to be pissing rain, so said glasses had to be removed as they were covered in water and fogging up continuously, so it is possible that in my blurred vision I thought I saw more than I did. This year, I guess I was just surprised/disappointed that more of the gardens weren't open.
Now don't go calling me a grinch, for stating this piece, the gardens still look beautiful, and the way they set up the lights around the water so they reflect looks amazing. Also, the way they timed the music to the changing colours of the lights looked fantastic, however they could have picked some better Christmas songs cuz I didn't know what some of that shit was??? Keep it simple, use the classics, stick to what people know and not this new top 40 holiday pop that is so overproduced and sugarcoated it gives you rotten teeth before you even open that third box of Christmas chocolates.
The BF spent most of his time eating while the rest of us enjoyed the light displays, in total he consumed: an apple cider, a personal veggie pizza and a pumpkin pie waffle. The apple cider and pizza were good, but I found the pumpkin pie waffle a bit dry. I had my own hot chocolate, which was moreso a lukewarn chocolate and a bag of seasoned nuts, which was okay. I would have opted for the gingerbread cookie, but it was waaaaaaaaaay too big, perhaps a good idea for next year is to make a bag of smaller ones, just a thought. Oh and the food/drinks are pretty pricey so bring extra cash. -
Review from Shae B.
1/4/2012
I was expecting a bit more than just a ton of regular christmas lights covering everything. Like it looked really pretty, but I was hoping for some christmas characters and maybe moving things. A lot of it was just lights on shrubs. Which is nice, but once you've seen a few, it all looks the same.
The lights animated to the music was cool - but nothing out of the ordinary since I've seen that on houses before. I guess I was just expecting there to be something more original. Something better than what you can see in your neighbourhood.
We got a discount since we came in a large group - so it was 10$. It was a nice time but I'm not sure I'd bother to go again. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
12/17/2010
Remember when you were young (or perhaps young in love) things seem bigger and brighter? And upon returning years later they seem a bit tarnished, small and underwhelming. That was my experience here this year. But that doesn't mean it's still not magical. It just means I probably won't go every single year.
My favourite place is still the "Gingerbread Wood" with it's little house, mushrooms and of course, gingerbread. The live choir, the dancing lights show every 1/2 hour (these shows could be longer, maybe 4 or 5 songs?), the Christmas music streaming through the speakers throughout the park all enhance the "romantical" stroll.
But the best moment was stumbling on the Make A Wish Foundation's booth where kind souls help you light a tealight candle. Then, as you make a wish, they find a place for it on the stone wall. It's so beautiful!
If you're a guy thinking of a way to impress a girl you like, take my suggestion, bring her here and come prepared. Bring a thermos of spiked hot chocolate and a couple of cookies, sit on one of the many benches and be mesmerized.
For a night out you can expect to spend about the same as you would for a movie and popcorn.Admission is $13 for adults, hot chocolates are $3.25 and a gingerbread waffle with a mass pad of butter and maple syrup will set you back $6.50 (thanks http://www.drwaffle.com - you were delicious!)
It's hard to be a Grinch here! Happy holidays! -
Review from Jen D.
2/3/2011
When looking for things to do while in Vancouver, the Festival of Lights kept popping up on various lists. After finding out that it was in fact open during the dates we were there, we decided to check it out. We came here around 8pm and although the line at the entrance was pretty long, it moved very quickly. The cost is $13/pp and they accept cash or credit.
The overall display is very large, but I felt like i was seeing the same thing over and over again. There wasn't anything overly special about the display either. Just a bunch of lights wrapped around some trees. And the dancing lights show they goes on every 30 minutes was a big waste of time. The bf and I joked about how there was probably a little kid sitting in a room somewhere just flipping on and off the lights.
But if you are into photography, this is bokeh heaven! And they have some winter treats that will warm you up while you walk around in the freezing cold. -
Review from Debbie W.
1/4/2012
On a recent trip to Vancouver, we decided to visit the Festival of Lights at the Van Dusen Gardens and compare it to the local lights we frequented back home every year. First of all, it was way more expensive ($13.00 per person) than our local light display, Bellevue Gardens, so we figured it would be that much better. But, it really wasn't. As there were long lines to enter, we still expected something special to appear. Yes, there were a lot of lights, but nothing that really caught your eye. They advertised dancing lights, but really it was just lights turning off and on to music. Fun to watch, but again nothing special. The hubby and I did enjoy the Make A Wish Foundation display where you could light a candle and add it to the wall of lights with your wish. Food was expensive, so we didn't try it. The mistletoe displays were a nice touch but a bit overdone for a family venue. How many mistletoe displays do you need at a light show? Apparently, several! The "Gingerbrood Woods" were cute and I'm sure were loved by the kids visiting.
