Deadline for application: Sunday, August 2, 2026 12 midnight
Optional Site Visit: Site visits will be held on Tuesdays and Thursday, between 10am to 2pm upon request
Event Dates: November 26th – January 3rd, 2026 5pm to 10pm each night
About Winter Wonders:
Winter Wonders is Royal Botanical Gardens’ signature winter experience attracting approximately 40,000 visitors over 5 weeks. Guests explore illuminated outdoor trails, enjoy festive music and seasonal treats, and take in the beauty of winter landscapes throughout Hendrie Park. Inside, vibrant plant displays, holiday décor, and a charming model train exhibit offer warmth and wonder for all ages. It’s a joyful tradition that blends nature, light, and celebration.
What we’re looking for:
To enhance the experience RBG is seeking up to three installation works by Canadian artists that engage light, interactivity and a sense of magic. RBG’s audience is multi-generational and loves having interactive experiences with one another. These new installations should play off this desire to create magical moments together, a sense of exploration and curiosity, and be able to engage a visitor for a 5-10-minute duration.
Winter Wonders already includes:
· A sound-responsive Singing Tree
· Light-filled lanterns and pathway lighting
· Environmental lighting that provides washes of colour and movement
· General holiday décor and tens of thousands of twinkle lights
· Real fires pits, vendor cabins, food vendors and an atmospheric soundtrack
Location:
Winter Wonders takes place in Hendrie Park, located directly across from the RBG Main Centre. This gated park includes multiple gardens (dormant during Winter Wonders), the Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection of 20+ permanent works from around the world, the reflecting pond, Tea House, Mitchell’s Field, the historic Hendrie Gates and numerous other stunning features.
Working with our lighting and technical partners Winter Wonders includes many installation elements that are noted on the map below. Also indicated on the map are the opportunity sites we’ve identified for these commissions.
