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If wandering through the woods lit only by glowing jack-o’-lanterns sounds like your kind of October night, the Royal Botanical Gardens has you covered.
Credit: RBG
The Royal Botanical Gardens is bringing back one of its most popular fall traditions this October, with two pumpkin-filled events designed for all ages.
Running October 15 to 18 and 23 to 25, the all-ages event sends you along a candlelit route filled with carved pumpkins, displays and roaming entertainment.
What to See & Do at Great Pumpkin Trail 2026
The Great Pumpkin Trail will wind through Hendrie Valley, where hundreds of glowing jack-o’-lanterns will guide visitors along a one-kilometre route. The path begins in Hendrie Park and loops back after weaving through wooded trails.
The route includes uneven ground, hills and dark sections, so sturdy shoes and a flashlight are recommended.
A separate ¼ km garden loop is fully wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. Elsewhere in Hendrie Park, you can find giant pumpkins, fall displays, family games, live performances, roaming entertainers, campfires and seasonal food and drinks available for purchase throughout the evening too.
15,000 Pumpkins, Squash and Gourds
The displays will use approximately 15,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds sourced from farms in Norfolk and Elgin Counties. You can spot Orange Jacks, White Jacks, Warty Goblin, Red Warty Thing, Porcelain Doll, Cinderella and Blue Doll pumpkins, along with Acorn, Butternut and Spaghetti squash. Hundreds of carved jack-o-lanterns will line the valley trail.
Family Activities Without the Scares
The focus is on seasonal fun rather than frightening attractions. You can expect traditional Halloween props, fall décor and roaming costumed characters, with organizers describing the event as “scare-free.”
Pumpkin-themed games and self-guided activities will take place on the lawn, while live performances and roaming entertainment are planned throughout the garden. Specific 2026 entertainment details have not been announced yet.
Credit: Royal Botanical Gardens
Adults Get an After-Dark Version Too
If you would rather trade family activities for a grown-up Halloween night, an adults-only evening is set for Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 6 to 11 p.m. The 19+ event takes over Hendrie Park after dark with candlelit jack-o-lanterns, music, entertainment and pumpkin-themed activities. Costumes are encouraged, and you can grab food and drinks while exploring what RBG calls the autumn nightscape of “Royal ‘Boo’tanical Gardens.” Tickets are $27 plus fees and taxes.
Food, Drinks and Campfires
You do not have to squeeze dinner in before arriving. Seasonal food and drinks will be available for purchase, alongside offerings from local food vendors. You can also spend some time around the campfires while exploring Hendrie Park’s fall displays and giant pumpkins.
Tickets and Entry Times
Timed admission begins at 5:30 p.m., with slots every 15 minutes through 8:30 p.m. Adults aged 13 and older pay $25 to $27, while children aged 3 to 12 pay $18 to $20, plus HST and a $2 service fee. Children two and under are free but still need registration. Tickets must be booked in advance.
Where to Park
The event is at Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington, with parking included at RBG Centre. If that lot fills, you can park at Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd., Hamilton, and take the complimentary shuttle running throughout the evening.
Other options include the Cherry Hill trailhead lot, street parking along Botanical Drive and Spring Gardens Road, and the Staff Parking Lot/Classroom 5 area. Guests using overflow parking must still enter through the RBG Centre main entrance.
The Great Pumpkin Trail
When: October 15 – 18 and 23 – 25, 2026
2026 Entry Timeslots: 5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
Where: Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington
How Much:
Adult, Ages 13 and up: $25-27 (+ HST and $2 Service Fee)
Child, Ages 3 to 12: $18-20 (+ HST and $2 Service Fee)
Infant / Toddler, Ages 0 to 2: FREE
