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Easter Long Weekend - April 18 to 21: Open with regular hours. Check hours by location.

RBG After Dark: Spring into Summer (19+)

Special Event Accessible Event

Date & Time:

May 15, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Location:

Rock Garden (1185 York Boulevard)

Types:

Evenings, Food and Drink, Special Event

Admission:

Ticketed Event

Event Description

This is a 19+ event

RBG is getting into the swing of things this spring with the return of RBG’s After Dark, at the Rock Garden. Experience a roaring good time in the stunning outdoor oasis of RBG’s Rock Garden, as we once again transform into “just the right type” of patio party fun.

Whether you’re gathering with friends, reconnecting with colleagues, or enjoying a night out with loved ones, enjoy swinging entertainment, sophisticated food, and swanky cocktails at RBG After Dark.

  • Man playing saxophone on dimly lit stage
  • espresso martini, lavender cocktail and glass of rose wine on a bistro table
  • couple watching a performance in a garden
  • woman walking down lit garden pathway after dark
  • Lower Rock Garden at sunset. Visitors are walking along the winding garden paths

Tickets

Member Pre-sale: Wednesday April 2, 11 a.m.
Public: Thursday April 3, 11 a.m.

NOTE: looking to book a table at the bistro during this event? Use the second button below to get your tickets through OpenTable.

Event tickets are required for access to Rock Garden during the event, including the Rock Garden Bistro.

Ticket Type Price
Adult $25 (+ HST & $2 service fee)
Student (19+) $23 (+ HST & $2 service fee)
Add-On: Picnic Box for 2 $50 (+ HST)

Provides access to Rock Garden for the duration of the event. Food and beverage available for purchase.

  • After a purchase is complete, the tickets are the property of the ticket-holder, and RBG will be unable to accommodate any date or time changes.
  • Tickets are non-refundable and final sale
  • General admission discounts and coupons are not applicable to this ticketed event.
  • Members do not receive a discount but have access to a presale.

Member Pre-Sale Instructions

To access the member presale, simply log in to your RBG online account using the email address associated with your membership. Once your account is set up, visit the registration page during the pre-sale time and registration will be available.

Do NOT make a new account; any new account created will not have access to your member benefits, and will not permit you access to the pre-sale.

NEW Members: How To Activate Your Account

  1. Visit secure.rbg.ca/account/login
  2. Enter your email address and “submit” (NOTE: RBG members must use the email associated with their current membership)
  3. Check your email for a link to reset your password
  4. Log in with your new credentials and check your account information. Ensure your updated membership is showing.
  5. Optional but recommended: test your member benefits by checking tickets for Rock Garden; if you see free member tickets, this account will have access to the pre-sale.

Once your member account is set up, visit the registration page and your tickets will be available!

If you do not receive a password reset email within 10 minutes, or if you log into and your membership is not showing in your account information, it is possible that email address is not the primary contact on your RBG Membership. Get in touch with the memberships team for more information.

  • Two visitors holding large hot dogs with toppings
  • Outdoor Bar With Wine
  • A burger wrapped in paper and a carton of onion rings
  • Two glasses of red wine held up to cheers
  • take-out picnic box containing sandwiches, salad, desserts, veggies, and more

Food & Drink

Picnic Box for 2

Pre-order a picnic box to share!

$50 (+HST)

Contents

Box includes:

  • Tri Coloured Potato Salad
  • Freshly Baked Baguette
  • House-Smoked Trout Rillette w. Salami, Cheese, Giardiniera (Vegan option available)
  • Tropical Fruit Parfait
  • Lemonade Jar

BBQ Menu

Purchasable on site. All items listed below are subject to HST. Menus subject to change.

Menu

All menu items are subject to change based on market availability

Mains

  • Hot Dog $7
  • Eloté (Mexi Corn on the Cob) $7
  • Sausage $10
  • Burger $10
  • Veggie Burger $10
  • Mediterranean Veggie Skewer $10
  • Feature Sandwich $10
    Details to come!

Sides

  • Kettle Chips $5
  • Potato Salad $5
  • Coleslaw $5

Bar Menu

Enjoy beverages from stations throughout the garden!

Bar Menu

Menu to come

Rock Garden Bistro

By reservation only

Details and reservations coming soon!

Entertainment

Join us for live performances throughout the evening!

Red Hot Ramble

Red Hot Ramble’s irresistible blend of New Orleans soul and Canadian charm creates pure musical magic.

Red Hot Ramble performs traditional jazz, blues, funk, along with second lines in the spirit of the great city of New Orleans but with a distinctly Canadian flavour! Music that is as at home in a jazz club as it is a music festival or a wedding and yes, even a funeral!  Red Hot Ramble is music about people, their ups and their downs, their loves and their hates, their blues and their celebrations of life! Red Hot Ramble is as much for dancing as it is for listening and singing along too!

Mo Guzman

Mo Guzman is a self-taught, full-time musician who regularly plays in and around the Greater Toronto Area. Catering to a variety of different occasions from community to corporate-level functions, his gift of raw vulnerability transcends his audience in a heartfelt experience, and he is known for connecting with and engaging diverse crowds of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. Mo’s unique vocal style encompasses a broad range of music, with an inter-generational repertoire ranging from the 1960’s to modern day, including rock, R&B, soul, pop, country and more.

Part of the RBG After Dark Series

Celebrate with us all summer long with 19+ events in a one-of-a-kind garden setting.

Event F.A.Q.s

Have a question about RBG After Dark? Click the topics below for more information. If you have a question that is not answered, send us a message, or give us a call at 905-527-1158.

Tickets

Pre-purchased tickets are required for this special event. Tickets are final sale.

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.

Arrival & Entry Time

Doors will open at 6:30pm and last entry will be at 10:00pm. This event concludes at 10:30 p.m.

Weather

This event is outdoors with limited indoor access / components. RBG recommends coming prepared for the weather, and we will proceed rain or shine. RBG reserves the right to cancel a day due to inclement weather. If the event date is canceled due to extreme weather conditions, a refund will be provided.

Age & I.D.

Attendees must be 19 years of age or older to attend. Please ensure you have a government-issued ID on your person during the event; anyone who does not present a valid ID upon request will be asked to leave.

Food & Beverage

Enjoy RBG food and Beverage offerings available for purchase. This is a 19+ event with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available. Reservation opportunity at RBG. Guests may enjoy their food and beverage at various locations throughout the garden. Table seating in the garden is limited and available on first come first serve basis. We encourage guests to enjoy Muskoka chairs, or picnic on lawn areas.

RBG Rock Garden Bistro Reservations are available through OpenTable: COMING SOON

Pre-order picnic boxes available at $50.00+HST and include a light snack for 2 and a beverage. Picnic boxes must be ordered ahead of time with the cut off 4 days prior to the event. RBG does our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, however due to the nature of the box RBG is unable to accommodate Gluten free or celiac allergies with this option. Should guests require options without gluten, we encourage visiting out food truck/BBQ or concession areas.

Please note that RBG does not permit outside food and beverage to be brought into this event. If you have pre-ordered and item, this will be available for pickup via your event ticket. Please have your tickets ready at the time of pick up. 

This is a licensed event; alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. A valid I.D. is required for entry.

Seating

Guests will have access to picnic mats, Muskoka chairs and patio Table/chair seating in the garden. All seating is limited and available on first come first serve basis. We encourage guests to bring their own picnic blankets

Location & Parking

This event is held at RBG Rock Garden, Located at 1185 York Blvd. 

Parking is included, available in the large across from Rock Garden Visitor Center or accessible spots on the same size as the building. Please do not drink and drive; organize a safe ride home.

This garden is located along bus routes for Burlington Transit, with stops a short distance from the entrance. See rbg.ca/directions for more details. 

Pets & Service Animals

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

Pets are welcome in RBG’s outdoor spaces during normal daytime operating hours so long as they remain leashed, and cleaned up after. 

Accessibility

The Rock Garden Visitor Centre is fully accessible.

All outdoor paths are either paved or made of finely packed gravel. Rock Garden includes many original limestone staircases, as well as newer staircases outfitted with handrails. Two paved and sloped pathways around the outer edge of the garden provide access to the lower bowl for those unable to take the stairs.

The lower bowl of the garden includes flat pathways with some arched bridges. Some original exploratory pathways along the inside of the bowl are not accessible for those unable to climb stairs, though much of the garden can be seen from accessible paths and lookout points.

Accessible parking spaces are available outside Rock Garden Visitor Center.

If you have any further questions about accessibility at this event please contact us by phone (905-527-1158) or use the form at rbg.ca/contact-events.  

Event Terms & Conditions

Tickets purchased to special events are final sale and non-refundable. Tickets for this event can be transferred to someone else if you can no longer attend. If RBG cancels a special event, ticketholders will be fully refunded. Please keep your tickets and confirmation: it is proof of your purchase and allows entry for the tour.

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.

More Upcoming Special Events

RBG hosts unique events all year long! See rbg.ca/specialevents for details