A best place to celebrate winter in Victoria is at Butchart Gardens with its Magic of Christmas light displays and seasonal holiday festivities.
VICTORIA AT CHRISTMAS
Butchart Gardens is definitely one of the top places to visit during the winter holiday season. Other things to check out during the holiday season include the Santa Light Parade and Lights of Wonder.
Magic of Christmas at Butcharts
Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria is a nice overnight trip from Vancouver. If you live in Victoria or ever happen to visit, you’ll definitely want to visit Butcharts, especially at night during the Christmas season.
During the month of December until the beginning of January, Butchart Gardens becomes one of the best places in Canada to get into the festive spirit. In the evenings there are carolers, elaborate Twelve Days of Christmas decorations, and sparkling festive lights everywhere. The holiday season’s illuminations are outstanding.
Dates for this past Christmas season were from December 1st, 2023, until January 6th, 2024.
The Japanese and Mediterranean Gardens are usually closed during the holiday season, but the rest of the area is lit up beautifully and it’s a great place to walk through. The Dining Room Restaurant also has a number of seasonal options on the menu to enjoy.
Admission to Butcharts
Admission to Butchart Gardens during the Magic of Christmas season in 2023/2024 was $35.00 for adults, $17.50 for youth (ages 13 to 17) and $3.00 for children (ages 5 to 12).
The gardens are open every day during the Christmas season except for when they close on Christmas Day.
Tips & Advice
Below are a few suggestions to help you make the most of your visit to Butchart Gardens.
TIP #1: Go to Butcharts in the late afternoon or evening. Butchart Gardens isn’t as special in daytime in the winter as it is at other times of the year. It’s still nice, but nothing compared to late spring, summer and fall. During the Magic of Christmas it’s the holiday lights and entertainment that are the attraction, and the place doesn’t light up until dusk.
TIP #2: If you find yourself in Victoria fairly frequently, the best deal in town is Butchart’s annual pass. The passes allow you into the gardens 365 days of the year, excluding fireworks nights and special events.
TIP #3: If you buy your annual pass in mid-December one year, it’ll allow you to experience the Magic of Christmas over the course of two holiday seasons, plus as many visits to the gardens as you like in between. Do this and it’s an exceptionally good deal!
TIP #4: Another place to see Christmas lights in Victoria is at Centennial Square between City Hall and the MacPherson Playhouse. Lights of Wonder is a free event that runs for at least a couple of weeks in December.
Other Information
To learn more about Butchart Gardens in general, including admission costs and what to see at other times of the year, see our article about Butchart Gardens in Victoria.
For information on the gardens in the summer, check out Butchart Gardens Summer Activities.
For more information about Butcharts in December, check the garden’s official website at Magic of Christmas.
Other articles that may be of interest include the following:
Similar places in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland include the following:
- VanDusen Garden
- Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden
- Stanley Park
- Bright Nights at Stanley Park
- Lower Mainland Parks & Nature
- Vancouver’s Top Attractions
- Best Vancouver Christmas Attractions
