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Holiday Hours: Please note RBG's hours vary during the holiday season, and on Winter Wonders dates. See rbg.ca/hours for full details.

RBG After Dark: Summer Pride Party

Special Event Accessible Event

Date & Time:

June 20, 6 to 10 p.m.

Location:

Rock Garden (1185 York Boulevard)

Types:

Evenings, Food and Drink, Special Event

Admission:

Ticketed Event

Event Description

Celebrate Pride with us at our Summer Pride Party! Join RBG at the Rock Garden as we honor Queer Artists and Entertainers at this month’s After Dark event. Featuring performances by local 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and drag performers, as well as interactive games and activities, guests can enjoy RBG’s food and beverage offerings while reveling in the festivities. Don’t miss out on this lively celebration at RBG’s After Dark: Summer Pride Party.

Entertainment Sets

  • 6 to 7 p.m.: DJ Mar & Jessie James, vocalist
  • 7 to 8 p.m.: Drag Performance with Karma Kameleon, Helen Heelz, Jessie James
  • 8 to 9 p.m.: DJ Mar & Jessie James, vocalist
  • 9 to 10 p.m.: Drag Performance with Karma Kameleon, Helen Heelz, Jessie James
  • Group of 4 friends enjoying a night out in a dark natural space
  • View of rock garden from the lower bowl at night, all lit in pastel colours
  • guests laughing and enjoying drinks on the patio of the Rock Garden Bistro
  • Lower Rock Garden at sunset. Visitors are walking along the winding garden paths
  • Couple enjoying a summer picnic with friends

Tickets & Dinner Reservations

Event tickets are required for access to Rock Garden during the event, including the Rock Garden Bistro. Tickets and dinner reservations are available online.

Tickets Only

  • Adults: $20 (+ HST & $1 Service Fee)
  • Students: $18 (+ HST & $1 Service Fee)
  • Add-On a Picnic Box for 2: $50 (+ HST)

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

Tickets + Dinner Reservations

  • $18 + HST & $1 Service Fee
  • Plated Dinner Menu with table seating in the Rock Garden Bistro
  • Includes access to the remainder of the event before / after your seating
  • Note: diners may be seated indoors; limited patio space available

Guests wishing to make dinner reservations will do so through OpenTable, paying event cover through that service.

Ticketing Details & Terms

  • Your ticket is for this event only, and does not include general admission for the full day.
  • 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.
  • RBG Gift Certificates are not redeemable on OpenTable

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

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 experience 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 experience, 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.

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.

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 (do this prior to the sale date to avoid disappointment)

  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 the Nature’s Superheroes exhibit; 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.

  • close up of mussels topped with microgreens
  • Table full of various Bistro dishes including a vibrant salad, frittata, salmon, and pasta dish
  • Outdoor Bar With Wine
  • pickeral cake topped with a corn slaw
  • espresso martini, lavender cocktail and glass of rose wine on a bistro table

Food & Drink

Dinner in the Bistro

Reservations made through Open Table. Last table seating is 8 p.m.

The Rock Garden Bistro features a French-inspired menu with a garden flair that boasts fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Picnic Box for 2

Pre-order a picnic box to share! Box includes:

  • Hummus, pita and veggies
  • Orzo salad with lemon shallot vinaigrette
  • 2 x Coronation Chicken (or Chickpea) Croissant
  • Dessert Box
  • 16oz Strawberry Basic Lemonade

$50 (+HST)

$10 Event Menu

Mix and match with one simple price for all items available for purchase on-site! All items listed below are available for up to $10 (+ HST)

BBQ Menu

All items below are $10 each (+HST), purchasable on-site

  • Hamburgers
  • Veggie Burger
  • Footlong Hotdog
  • Porchetta Sandwich – chimichurri, truffle aioli, crispy onions
  • Tofu Kabobs – marinated tofu, peppers, onions
  • Side combo (choose 2)– potato salad, coleslaw, kettle chips (V, GF) or 1 for $5

**Add pulled pork or porchetta to burger or hotdog for $5

Food Truck Menu

All items below are $10 each (+HST), purchasable on-site

  • Hamburgers
  • Veggie Burger
  • Footlong Hotdog
  • Poutine
  • Side combo (choose 2)– French fries, potato salad, coleslaw, kettle chips (V, GF) or 1 for $5

**Add pulled pork or porchetta to burger or hotdog for $5

Concessions

All items below are $10 each (+HST), purchasable on-site

  • Hummus Box (V, Veg)
  • Dessert Box
  • Coronation Chicken Croissant
  • Coronation Chickpea Croissant (V, Veg)
  • Side Combo (V, GF)
    Potato Salad, Coleslaw and Kettle Chips
  • Strawberry Basic Lemonade

Bar Menu

Enjoy beverages from stations throughout the garden!

Bar Menu

Wine
  • Good Natured Wine – Crisp Chardonnay | Merlot/Gamay
    6oz $8 + tax | Bottle $25 + tax
Craft Beers & Canned Cocktails
  • Exclusively featuring: Collective Arts logo
Cocktail on the Rocks
  • Signature cocktail
    $10 + tax | Non-alcoholic option $6 + tax

House Rail

  • 1oz $8 + tax
    Vodka, Rum, Rye, Gin, Scotch

Performers

Karma Kameleon drag queen in black and yellow drag outfit in a campy pink room

Karma Kameleon

Karma Kameleon is a Hamiltonian drag queen, comedian and designer. She brings a unique blend of camp, glamour and comedy to her drag which aims to mix the best parts of the great divas with the worst parts of Celine. Karma describes herself as a timeless beauty. Her audience describes her as a beautyless time. Either way she’s an experience.

Drag queen Helen Heelz in a vibrant yellow dress

Hellen Heelz

Likely the tallest drag queen south of the GTA, Hellen Heelz brings her androgynous style to stages in Hamilton and the Niagara Region. Slightly tall, a bit sexy, and a little stupid – she’s ready to bring the party, whether on stage or on the mic.

Drag queen Jessie James posing in an industrial area

Jessie James

A self described music theatre major gone rogue, Jessie James is a queer and trans, multi-disciplinary drag artist currently living in Hamilton, ON. Originally getting her start in London, ON. Jessie has been dazzling audiences for 5 years now, bringing a punk, grunge-y flare to everything they do.

DJ Mar at a mixing board in outdoor summer clothes

DJ Mar

DJ Mar is known for spinning only the fiercest tunes to ensure you will be kept in the groove with a little bit of disco, pop, and queer anthems!

Jesse James performer playing guitar up on a lit stage

Jesse James

An up-and-coming BIPOC/Transmasc vocalist from Hamilton, ON. Making an impression on the local music scene with their unique blend of folk and blues stylistics. With a distinct voice and a soulful style that resonates deeply, Jesse James is poised to captivate and leave a lasting impression on audiences.

Part of the RBG After Dark Series

Celebrate with us all summer long with 19+ after-hours events that transform the gardens into the perfect social evening spot. 

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 6:00pm and last entry will be at 9:00pm. This event concludes at 10 p.m.

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.

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.

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