The Great Pumpkin Trail

Pre-purchased tickets are required for this special event, and typically sell out quickly. Upon purchasing, you will be required to select an entry time. Tickets are final sale. When purchasing your tickets, please ensure you select the appropriate date/time, as switching your tickets after purchase will not be possible. Please note a maximum of 15 tickets per transaction applies.

A note on in-person registration: due to the popularity of this event, tickets go quickly and we strongly encourage you to register online, or have a friend/family member do so for you. A small number of RBG staff members will be available for in-person registrations, though this is a time-consuming process and there is no guarantee the tickets you wish to purchase will still be available by the time we are able to assist you. Registering as soon as the sale begins is the fastest way to purchase your tickets for this event.

Member Pre-sale 

RBG Membership cardholders have access to a presale starting September 9, at 11 a.m.. A membership discount will NOT apply for this event. 

This event is time-ticketed. Please arrive at your scheduled time and expect to spend at least an hour here experiencing the Pumpkin Trail. When you arrive at RBG Centre (680 Plains Road W., Burlington) for your start time you will be greeted by our staff team who will check you in and direct you to the event.

Your tickets will be emailed to you as a pdf attachment shortly after online payment. You will be required to present these tickets upon arrival, either printed out or digitally on your personal device.

Event tickets provide access to Hendrie Park and the Great Pumpkin Trail beginning at the timeslot chosen during registration. Any operating discovery activities and live entertainment are also included in your event tickets.

1. “Cherry Hill” trailhead parking lot. From this area, cross over Plains Road West and make your way to RBG Centre main entrance to check in. Please note, you will not be able to enter the event through the Rose Garden Service gate.
2. Street parking along Botanical Dr. and Spring Gardens. Rd. From this area, cross the parking lot and make your way to RBG Centre main entrance to check in.
3. Staff Parking Lot / Classroom 5 – south side of Plains Rd. W. at Botanical Dr., Burlington. From this lot, make your way to RBG Centre main entrance to check in.

Selecting a Timeslot:

• If the group you wish to attend the event with is larger than the number of tickets remaining in a specific timeslot, DO NOT purchase those tickets unless you are willing to attend with that smaller group. Due to demand switching timeslots after purchase will not be possible.
• If you see only 1 ticket remaining, DO NOT purchase it unless you already have other tickets for that time from a previous purchase and you wish to add one more individual.

General Tips:

• If possible, use a desktop computer. With a larger screen than a phone or tablet, this makes it easier to see your time-slot options.
• Before the sale begins, make a list of all the time-slots / dates you will be able to make in order of preference; tickets go fast and it is possible your ideal time-slot will be sold out, so know your back-ups ahead of time.
• Have your credit card and billing information ready.

A note on in-person registration: due to the popularity of this event, tickets go quickly and we strongly encourage you to register online, or have a friend/family member do so for you. A small number of RBG staff members will be available for in-person registrations, though this is a time-consuming process and there is no guarantee the tickets you wish to purchase will still be available by the time we are able to assist you. Registering as soon as the sale begins is the fastest way to purchase your tickets for this event.

This is a popular event; we understand that not all interested families will be able to attend. We thank you for your patience and interest in this event, and encourage you to sign up for event email notifications to be sure you hear first about what’s coming up at RBG!

The Great Pumpkin Trail is 100% outdoors so come prepared for the weather! RBG reserves the right to cancel the event due to extreme inclement weather.

Only a ¼ km section of the trail, a loop within the garden, is fully wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly, starting and ending at the same point. The rest of the trail features uneven ground, rough terrain, and hilly areas. Strollers and wagons are not recommended on the trail. If you have any questions about accessibility at this event, please contact us at 905-527-1158.

Don’t have time to make dinner before the event? We’ll be serving up some delicious seasonal favourites available for purchase! 

Outside food and drink is not permitted.

Prepare for a magical adventure on The Great Pumpkin Trail! Here’s everything you need to know for a safe and enjoyable journey:

• Approximately 1 km in length, the trail begins in Hendrie Park, winds down into the Hendrie Valley along the South Bridle and Kicking Horse trails, and returns to Hendrie Park at a different location from where it started.
• Only a ¼ km section of the trail, a loop within the garden, is fully wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly, starting and ending at the same point.
• The rest of the trail features uneven ground, rough terrain, and hilly areas.
• Strollers and wagons are not recommended on the trail. Since the trail ends in a different part of the garden, any strollers or wagons will need to be picked up from the starting area.
• The trail is dark in places, lit only by jack-o-lanterns. For your safety we recommend bringing a flashlight and wearing sturdy footwear.

With the focus on seasonal fun, the Great Pumpkin Trail is a scare-free event! Please plan any costumes accordingly and keep things family-friendly. Guests can expect to see traditional Halloween props and décor along the way, as well as roaming costumed characters adding to the festive atmosphere.

Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes however please keep costumes fun and family friendly as the majority of children present will be 10 and under.

With the exception of service animals, personal dogs/cats/animals are not permitted at this event. 

Tickets purchased to special events are final sale and non-refundable. Tickets can be transferred to someone else if you can no longer attend. Please keep your tickets and confirmation: it is proof of your purchase and allows entry into the event.  

Liability: RBG assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to property, or for personal injury or mishap; all activities are at the risk of the participant. 

Filming/Photography Release: Please be advised that all photos, audio-video, and static images taken at this tour may be used for exhibit, reproduction, and/or distribution for RBG related promotional use, including all forms of print, television advertisement, social media and /or website display. In consideration of your participation as a guest or attendee of this event, you authorize Royal Botanical Gardens, its legal representatives, suppliers, invited media and assigns unrestricted right and permission to copyright and use such photos and images under their sole discretion. Royal Botanical Gardens, its legal representatives, suppliers, invited media and assigns are released without limitation of any claims for libel or invasion of privacy. 

By purchasing tickets and participating in this event on RBG properties, you are agreeing to the above release for yourself, and on behalf of your guests.