Christmas Tickets and Planning
It is strongly recommended that you reserve your ticket in advance of your visit. On busy evenings when we reach capacity, those without timed entrance tickets and those who have not rebooked their incorrectly dated tickets may not be admitted. This includes 12 Month Pass holders. If you are uncertain of the date of your visit at this time, you may purchase day of, subject to availability.
All timed entrance ticket sales are final. There are no refunds after the order has been made. If you have purchased timed entrance tickets and are unable to attend on the designated time or date, and cannot rebook within the 2024 Magic of Christmas season, the dollar value of the unused timed entrance ticket can be applied to a future visit. Tickets never expire. Outside of the Magic of Christmas season, you do not need to book a timed entrance ticket.
If you have purchased timed entrance tickets and are unable to attend on the designated ticket time or date:
- Select ‘Rebooking’ under the Categories option.
- Select the total number of tickets you need to rebook (note: ticket types are not necessary here).
- Select an available date and time.
- Arrive at the Admission Gate with BOTH your original timed entrance tickets and the Rebooked timed entrance tickets. Without both sets of timed tickets, you will not be admitted.
- Our staff will scan the original timed entrance tickets as proof of payment and to ensure that they have not been used for a previous admission.
If you know the date and time the other person would like to visit, you can simply purchase a timed entrance ticket for them through the ‘Christmas Tickets” portal on our website. If you wish to gift a Magic of Christmas visit to someone, but you are unsure when they would like to visit, you may purchase gift e-tickets here. It is important that the gift e-ticket recipient is aware that they will then need to reserve a Magic of Christmas timed entrance ticket and to do so under the “Complimentary Admissions” ticket category.
As tickets may be presented either on a mobile device or in printed version, we ask that you divide tickets up appropriately and ensure each vehicle has screen shots or hard copies of the tickets they will be using.
In order for our timed ticketing system to be effective we ask that all visitors make every effort to arrive at the time stated on the ticket. We allow 10 minutes prior to and after this time as leeway for travel.
Your Dining Room reservation will stand in place of your timed entrance ticket, so there is no need to book tickets. Arrive when you wish at our Admission Gate and provide your Dining Room reservation information. Our Admission Gate Staff there will take your admission payment or accept your valid 12 Month Pass. We ask that you arrive at the restaurant at the time of your reservation.
Pets are not permitted inside The Gardens between 3pm and 8pm, but are most welcome from 8pm until closing. For the safety of your pet and other visitors, we ask that you keep your pet on a leash no longer than 4ft, under control and directly at your side at all times.
The average stroll through the Gardens during our Magic of Christmas season is about an hour. Please allocate more time should you wish to enjoy one of our food services facilities, peruse our Seed & Gift store or take in a Festive Brass or Traditional Caroler performance.
Please book a “12 Month Pass Holder” timed entrance ticket and present it to the Admission Gate staff upon arrival. Our staff will be happy to assist you in renewing your pass at that time. Should you be bringing guests with you on this visit, please select “Guest of a 12 Month Pass Holder” timed entrance tickets. Please note that if the guests do not arrive with you in your vehicle, they will be charged the additional $3.50.
General Tickets and Planning
You can purchase tickets as a gift online or over the phone by calling 250-652-4422.
Online tickets are non-refundable and do not expire.
If you are unable to attend on the ticket date, the value of the unused ticket can be applied towards the price of admission at any time.
Pets are welcome to visit provided they are kept directly at your side and under control at all times. You are expected to clean up after your pet.
From December 1 through January 6 pets will not be permitted between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
During all other times, pets are welcome at The Butchart Gardens. When visiting The Gardens with your pet:
- Please ensure you are fully aware of what your pet is doing at all times.
- For the safety of all visitors and to continue to allow dogs to visit, owners must keep pets on-leash and no farther than 1 meter/3 feet. We would prefer you did not use a retractable leash.
- Pick up after your pet so that others do not step in anything unpleasant. Waste bags are available when you enter The Gardens as well as in the parking lot, at the Ross Fountain, the Carousel Patio and the Wharf Lookout. Litter can be deposited into garbage cans designated for trash.
- Avoid interactions with other pets to maintain the comfort and safety of all our visitors.
Inside our facilities
- Only BC Certified Guide & Service dogs are permitted in our restaurants and the Seed & Gift Store. Please note that BC Guide/Service Dogs are certified through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Security Programs Division. Owners will be asked to show the appropriate ID, and if you are traveling from outside of British Columbia you will be asked to show comparable ID from your home jurisdiction.
- As the Guide Dog & Service Dog Act of BC does not certify therapy, companion or emotional support dogs, we do not permit these dogs in our food service venues, Seed and Gift store, carousel or tour boats.
- Pet Policy
You can view our map online ahead of time, or you can find printed maps at our Visitor Centre, available in 22 languages.
All parking is free. We accommodate cars, bicycles and RVs. Parking for people with disabilities is also available.
We do not permit overnight parking.
Our designated picnicking areas are adjacent to the main parking lot and on the concert lawn.
BBQ’s of any kind are not permitted.
If it rains—or will rain imminently!—our staff distribute hundreds of umbrellas throughout the grounds and parking lots so you can borrow one and stay dry.
We also encourage visitors to bring their own umbrellas in the event of rain.
Accessing The Gardens
The Butchart Gardens is over 120 years old. Some pathways are therefore narrow, and as the gardens are built around an old limestone quarry with gardens stretching down to the shoreline, there are pathways with a steeper grade.
Paths with steeper grades are located as follows, and alternate routes are noted by signage and indicated on our visitor map:
- Between the Concert Lawn and the Rose Garden
- In the Rose Garden
- Between the Star Pond and the Japanese Garden
- Between the bus parking lots and the Gift Store
- Between the Statue of Annabelle and the Carousel
Restaurants, Gift Store and the Carousel are wheelchair accessible.
- Close parking is available upon request.
- Only motorized and standard wheelchairs are permitted; however, the compact-style of a four-wheeled motorized wheelchair is more suitable to our pathways.
Complimentary wheelchair rentals are available, please note that loaner wheelchairs do not have handbrakes. Wheelchairs are available on a first come, first served basis.
The Butchart Gardens does not have electric scooters on site to rent. If you wish to rent a mobility scooter, please contact Motion in Victoria directly at 1-888-222-2172.
Complimentary strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Visitor Centre.
All of the washrooms on the grounds are outfitted with baby changing stations for your convenience.
We strongly recommend you do not bring wagons as they cause congestion on our paths. Effective January 7, 2025, wagons and stroller wagons will not be permitted.
Complimentary push carts are available for small children.
Services & Amenities
Yes, our Visitor Information Centre can hold luggage and other small items free of charge while you visit The Gardens.
Please turn in and report any lost items to the Visitor Centre. You can also collect items at the Visitor Centre.
If you have lost an item please contact reception 250-652-4422 and they will direct you to our lost and found or email lostandfound@butchartgardens.com.
Mobile first aid assistance is readily available and we encourage you to accept the help of our well-trained First Aid Attendants. If you experience or witness an injury, mishap or emergency, please notify any staff member immediately, report to our Visitor Centre, or call 250-652-4422. Our staff are well-equipped to assist you with any injury or medical incident and will ensure the incident is properly documented. Band-aids, anti-nausea and other comfort medications are available for sale in the Information Centre.
Garden Etiquette
Photography is welcome, but should not interfere with the enjoyment of other visitors; please do not block pathways or limit other visitors and staff from passing by. Do not stand, walk, or place tripods in garden beds.
We do not permit professional photoshoots such as family portraits, maternity shoots, graduation photos, and commercial photography and filming. Wedding photography is only permitted during our wedding season (January 15 – March 23, 2025), and prior arrangements are required. Please contact our Sales & Events Specialist for availability.
Drone photography or videography is not permitted.
Props or costumes are not permitted.
Photography is welcome, but should not interfere with the enjoyment of other visitors; please do not block pathways with tripods.
For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, selfie sticks are not permitted.
Operating a drone is not permitted anywhere on property.
For everyone’s enjoyment, The Butchart Gardens including the parking lots are entirely smoke and vapour free.
