Gardens call for music and lights
Turn a flower-filled day into an entertainment-filled evening as Butchart Gardens turns on the lights at night and fills the air with music and lights the sky with fireworks until Sept. 1.
The 22-hectare National Historic Site of Canada, which welcomes more than one million visitors every year, is delightful during the day.
But up to Sept. 15 the gardens will be open later, with the grounds remaining open until 11 p.m.
The attraction calls the time after dusk Night Illuminations, when a play of artificial light creates shadows as it transitions from daylight to night.
The gardens also fill with the sounds of live performances — a mixture of local musicians and world-renowned artists — every evening. Music ranges from big band, to jazz, to bluegrass and classical. Tania Miller will conduct the Victoria Symphony later in the month.
“There is so much local talent and we take pride in featuring these performers each year. It is very much part of our strategy to promote local talent,” said Craig Moddle, manager of arts and entertainment.
“In addition, we are thrilled to announce that Alan Doyle, the iconic Newfoundland singersongwriter and best known as the lead singer of Great Big Sea, will be our special event on July 18.”
The open-air performances are included in the price of regular admission.
On Saturday nights throughout July and August, people can stay after the musical entertainment to watch an impressive firework show, with the pyrotechnic spectacle choreographed to music.
Admission is $33.10 adults, $16.55 youth 13 to 17 and $3 for children five to 12. The grounds are open from 8:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily until Sept. 2.
The attraction is at 800 Benvenuto Ave., Brentwood Bay. The gardens can be reached via B.C. Transit routes 75 and 81.
For more information, go to butchartgardens.com.