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 11, 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.

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.

This event is held in Hendrie Park – please enter through RBG Centre at 680 Plains Road W. Burlington Ontario. Parking is included, available in the large lot at RBG Centre. Should the lot at RBG Centre become full, alternate parking locations are: 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Overflow parking with a complimentary shuttle will be available at our Rock Garden parking lot, 1185 York Blvd. Hamilton ON

Please note, you will not be able to enter the event through the Rose Garden Service gate. Walk around RBG Centre to the primary entrance.

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. 

Only a ¼ km loop of the Pumpkin Trail is fully wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. The remainder is along the RBG trail system which includes rough terrain. 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.

The Great Pumpkin Trail is a 1km loop, beginning in Hendrie Park, continuing down into the Hendrie Valley and returning in Hendrie Park. Please note only a ¼ km section of the trail is fully wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. 

The trail route is lit by the jack-o-lanterns. You are encouraged to bring a flashlight as it can get dark out there! 

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.