Ontario park to transform into winter wonderland with market and dazzling displays

With colder weather soon approaching, parks and outdoor venues across Ontario are set to transform into winter wonderlands, and Hendrie Park at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ont. is one of the many seasonal stops you may want to mark off on your holiday road trip map.

Hendrie Park is bringing back its annual Winter Wonders event from Nov. 27 to Jan. 4, 2026, when the park will turn into an outdoor holiday retreat offering fun like roaming entertainers, immersive displays, and fire pits.

And that's just the outdoor experience. 

Guests can also step inside the pavilion to see the Botanical Train Display, browse seasonal finds at the Gift Shop, and warm up with a drink at the Greenhouse Café.

This year's Winter Wonders includes all the classic favourites plus two exciting additions: three all-new interactive art installations and the Artisan Village.

@justinpluslauren Here's where you can see the most magical Christmas lights in Hamilton & Burlington, Ontario ✨️🎄 It's Winter Wonders at the Royal Botanical Gardens! Wander the beautiful holiday lights displays outdoors. And indoors there is the fun Botanical Train Display with miniature versions of Canadian landmarks and trains chugging along! Continue your visit indoors to see the stunning poinsettia and decorated greenhouse. Winter Wonders runs every Thursday - Sunday until January 5th. #RoyalBotanicalGardens #WinterWonders #ChristmasLights #ChristmasTree #HamOnt #BurlingtonOntario #HamiltonOntario #ToDoToronto #Toronto ♬ Originalton - Vienna Visitas

Along with fan favourite installations from the years before, this year's event will showcase the work of three new Canadian artists — Asli Alin, ZEM, and Treehouse Collective — with Alin's Luminous Crossings created specifically for the Royal Botanical Gardens.

The Artisan Village offers a Christmas Market-style experience where guests can shop for gifts crafted by local artisans.

The attraction runs Thursday through Sunday each week from Nov. 27 to Jan. 4, 2026. General admission is $22 (plus HST and a $2 service fee), with tickets going on sale Oct. 21 at 11 a.m.

Due to high demand, Winter Wonders is introducing an online queuing system, which opens to the public at 10:30 a.m. the day the tickets go on sale. You can buy tickets directly on the event's official website. 

Winter Wonders takes place in Hendrie Park at the Royal Botanical Gardens, located at 680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington, Ont.