The Butchart Gardens

This place was beautiful!!! It was a great activity to spend the night with for my husband and I’s first wedding anniversary. We spent at least an hour walking through the gardens and probably missed some spots still. The souvenir shop was really big and has great selections of souvenirs to get. We spent about 2 hours there including walking through the gardens, souvenir shop, walking towards and from the parking, and lining up in cars.

Butchart Gardens, situated in Victoria, British Columbia, stands out as a must-see destination, providing a delightful experience in every season. From the lively blossoms of spring to the warm hues of autumn, each visit unveils a distinct and refreshing beauty. My winter visit, highlighted by the Festival of Lights, transformed the gardens into a mesmerizing wonderland. Each garden showcased unique lights, colors, decorations, and even synchronized music, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

During special occasions like Christmas, the gardens come alive with live music from talented bands, contributing to the festive spirit. The charming carousel, a favorite for both kids and adults, adds a touch of nostalgia and joy to the visit. The convenience of accepting credit cards ensures a hassle-free experience, eliminating worries about carrying cash.

Butchart Gardens not only charms with its natural beauty but also stands out for its thoughtful organization. Ample parking facilities simplify arrival, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. On-site amenities, including a cafe, restaurant, and gift shop, enhance the overall experience, offering opportunities for relaxation, dining, and souvenir shopping. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or simply seeking a delightful day out, Butchart Gardens promises a well-rounded and enchanting visit, making it an appealing destination throughout the year.

The 12 Days of Christmas lights display at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, is truly enchanting. The meticulously crafted light installations bring a festive magic to the already stunning botanical setting.

Each night, the garden transforms into a mesmerizing winter wonderland, with the 12 Days of Christmas theme adding a whimsical touch.

From the graceful swans to the vibrant partridges, the attention to detail in each display is almost unreal. It's a captivating experience that seamlessly blends natural beauty with festive cheer, making it a must-visit attraction during the holiday season.

Perfect for family outing or even a date night!

Great tour of the house, and also incredible grounds, well maintained. Plenty of history and walking areas. The fountains, sunken garden, Ross Fountain, and much more. All of this started in an old quarry, it seems, now it's a National Landmark - well deserved. Would love to come back in the spring, when the garden blooms. We appreciated our winter, visit, however.

The Magic of Christmas was the most amazing experience! We took our dog and had the best time and were in awe of all the stunningly beautiful lights and displays! It's clear that an incredible amount of time, thought, effort and care went into creating this magical experience. We loved every second of our time there!

We're also looking forward to visiting the gardens again in the warmer months when everything is in bloom.

Had an amazing fall morning in the midst of these beautiful gardens. It’s worth it to go every season. The Japanese zen garden was spectacular. We experienced what seemed to be lower season rates plus a military pass which we are ever so grateful for! No rose garden this season but will certainly go next spring and summer to see them in bloom. Friendly service and more than enough ppl working. Thank you!

I have been there both in the summer and in the winter festive time, I think this is so beautiful and all the staff is so friendly. You could consider it to be alitle but expensive, but I think it’s so worth it. The lights were out of this world. So beautiful, perfect for Christmas. I’ve add pictures from my most recent visit, and you can see through the pictures how beautiful everything is and I still think these pictures can’t justify it.

A visual Christmas feast! Very fun, not crowded and a really lovely walk-about. The laser display of tree leaves is (IMHO) magical. It's so cool because they are artistic displays but they are integrated into nature and nature amplifies the effects. Lovely!

A once in a lifetime experience that you must see! This is one of earths treasures… it was a rainy blustery day which left all the trails empty for some amazing photos. I’m so happy I got have this experience and would highly recommend to anyone that travels to Victoria / Vancouver.

Butchart gardens is a site to be seen, come for every season, and wander through.

The location is stunning, and gardeners and staff are always available to answer questions.

Love the light display at Christmas, but you can't go wrong with a spring or summer visit.

Gardens were great as always. And just like always, were incredibly packed. Get there early on an off day of at all possible. Plan to spend 15+ minutes in line anywhere you want to get a drink or snack. Bathrooms are typically long lines unless it's peak season. The best place to relax is the field in the very rear where they shoot off the fireworks from. Be prepared and wear walking shoes and have a bottle or water if it's hot outside.

It was New Year's Eve when I visited The Butchart Gardens. The Christmas lights were phenomenal, while the twelve days of Christmas were something to behold. I must say, this was truly a magical experience and one I will never forget. I would highly recommend planning a visit to the Gardens during the Christmas season!

So worth the visit. No blooms in November but still really nice. We were able to do walk-in for the high tea. It is more affordable here ~ $49.5 pp compared the the Empress and other places. Food was so filling we had to take them home. The view is stunning!!

It is one of the best gardens I have visited in Canada; it is worth every cent. The fountain is fantastic, and the design is brilliant. It is easy to walk around without missing anything.

The “Magic of Christmas” event speaks for itself! It was indeed a magical night seeing the garden with colorful lights! I enjoyed the different areas prepared! Will look forward to the next displays on the next seasons! Well-worth for a first timer!

The Butchart Gardens is beautiful at the best of times. At Christmas, it gets turned up to 11 with the Christmas light display. Absolutely magical. Follow through the paths and see the features depicting each of the 12 Days of Christmas. Moving all the people through (hundreds a day, thousands?) is done like a well oiled machine. It's often very busy but you move along and never feel like it's overcrowded. Worth every penny for a visit.

Paid the extra $2.00 for the carousel. Lots of area to walk in. Thorough detail on the garden. I went mid-October so the roses were gone. But there was still enough to look at. For the people complaining of the cost of ticket they must have never worked on a garden before it's lots of work. Its a fair price for the ticket.

Christmas is a magical time of year made even better by the light adventure of Butchart Gardens. It's one delight for the eyes after another while strolling through the gardens at night with everything lit up. I highly recommend this to anyone. Especially kids who know the 12 Days of Christmas and are little adventurers who would love to look for the gifts in the song.

Butchart Gardens is the number one tourist attraction in Victoria – every coach or cruise will include a visit here as part of the package, and it doesn’t disappoint.
The Gardens are stunning, and spread out over a huge area, so even on days when the car park is full you don’t feel hemmed in.
And the pictures you see, as good as they are, still don’t do it justice.
The attention to detail is superb, even the carparks are landscaped and attractive, and the maps and signage are first rate.
It’s a little out of town – 20-30 minutes drive, so, you will need your own car or a tour, but if you’re in Victoria without transport there are multiple tours and a regular shuttle just waiting right out the front of the Fairmont.
An absolute must see.

An incredible magical display that makes you feel like a kid again. We enjoyed walking around before dusk and then again after it got dark. Stopped for a quick bite in the coffee shop between our rounds. Decent food and drinks.