Frequently asked questions fo Gardens of Light
Purchase and refund
3. Is it mandatory to purchase advance tickets for Gardens of Light, or can I get them onsite?
4. Can I purchase tickets onsite with my mobile phone?
5. What happens in case of bad weather?
6. If I cannot make it on the scheduled date, can I use my tickets at a later date?
7. How do I book a group reservation?
8. I have a guest pass/voucher for the Jardin botanique. Is it valid for Gardens of Light?
9. How can I get the discount offered to Accès Montréal cardholders?
10. I’m a member of a friends society. Do I need a ticket for the Gardens of Light circuit?
11. Can I reserve my tickets for Gardens of Light with my Space for Life passport?
Site access
12. What is the closest STM Metro station?
13. Where is the nearest parking?
14. Where can I access the Gardens of Light?
15. What happens if I arrive late?
16. Is it possible to arrive earlier than the time indicated on the Gardens of Light ticket?
17. My reservation is for a number of people. Must we all arrive at the same time?
Gardens of Light Tour
18. How long is the Gardens of Light circuit?
19. Is this activity appropriate for children and persons with reduced mobility?
20. Can I do the Gardens of Light circuit several times with the same ticket?
21. What happens if I’m already in one of the three Gardens of Light paths at the end of the day?
22. Are there washrooms along the Garden of Light path?
23. Are pets allowed on the site?
24. Can I take pictures or videos?
25. Is it possible to eat onsite?
Answers
Purchase and refund
1. What’s the difference between a ticket for the Jardin botanique and a ticket for Gardens of Light?
Tickets for the Jardin botanique are valid from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., whereas tickets for Gardens of Light are valid all day as well as in the evening for visits to Gardens of Light at the time specified on your ticket.
2. Is it possible to buy a ticket to visit the Jardin botanique in the daytime and Gardens of Light in the evening?
It’s not necessary to buy 2 tickets to see the gardens plus Gardens of Light. Tickets for Gardens of Light provide access to the outdoor gardens as well as to the greenhouses throughout the day. The visit to Gardens of Light must however take place at the time specified on your ticket.
3. Is it mandatory to purchase advance tickets for Gardens of Light, or can I get them onsite?
You can purchase your tickets onsite. However, we strongly recommend you book your tickets online to reserve the date and time of your visit.
4. Can I purchase tickets onsite with my mobile phone?
You can access Space for Life online ticketing with your mobile phone at any time. However, if you leave your purchase too late, you risk not getting the time you want or not getting tickets at all if they’re sold out that evening.
5. What happens in case of bad weather?
The Gardens of Light visit is still available when it rains. Bring clothing that is appropriate to the weather conditions. In case of major adverse conditions, the site will close for the safety of employees and visitors, who will be able to schedule their visit for another date and time.
6. If I cannot make it on the scheduled date, can I use my tickets at a later date?
The Gardens of Light visit is comparable to a movie or theatre ticket. If you cannot make it on the scheduled date, we cannot reimburse you or change your reservation.
7. How do I book a group reservation?
Contact our reservations department at 514 868-3000, or email us at [email protected] for any group reservation of 15 people or more.
8. I have a guest pass/voucher for the Jardin botanique. Is it valid for Gardens of Light?
Your ticket is valid as long as it doesn’t mention exclusion for the Gardens of Light event. Holders of a voucher must present themselves at the box office to exchange their coupon for a ticket, while holders of a complementary ticket may show up right at the entrance to join the waiting group.
9. How can I get the discount offered to Accès Montréal cardholders?
Since the Accès Montréal card isn’t computerized yet, it is currently not possible to purchase discounted tickets online. You should come in advance to one of the Space for Life ticket offices to buy your scheduled time-slot tickets for Gardens of Light.
10. I’m a member of a friends society. How do I get a ticket for the Gardens of Light circuit?
All members of friends societies who hold a valid membership card providing unlimited access to the Jardin botanique can enjoy the Gardens of Light pathway without needing to reserve a fixed visiting time. Head straight for the entrance with your membership card, and you can join the waiting group.
11. Can I reserve my tickets for Gardens of Light with my Space for Life passport?
Yes, you can reserve your tickets for Gardens of Light with your Space for Life Passport.
Site access
12. What is the closest STM Metro station?
The Pie-IX Metro station is an approximate 5-minute walk from the entrance to the Jardin botanique.
13. Where is the nearest parking?
We cannot guarantee the availability of parking space near the Gardens of Light. The following parking lots are within walking distance:
4101 Sherbrooke East / Jardin botanique (P1, 326 places, $13.25 for the day)
4200 Sherbrooke East / Olympic Park (P4, 552 places, $25 for the day)
4581 Sherbrooke East / Insectarium (P2 265 spaces available - $13.25 per day)
14. Where can I access the Gardens of Light?
You can access the Gardens of Light by using the Jardin botanique’s main entrance, or you can enter through the Insectarium. The Rosemont St. entrance will close at 6 p.m.
15. What happens if I arrive late?
Please see a member of our staff at the entrance to the site. We will try to fit you in with another group of visitors later on if places are still available.
16. Is it possible to arrive earlier than the time indicated on the Gardens of Light ticket?
You can arrive earlier on the Jardin botanique site and use the opportunity to visit the greenhouses, but you can’t move your visit to the Gardens of Light pathway forward.
If you’re coming to visit only Gardens of Light, we suggest you arrive about 30 minutes ahead of time in order to find parking, present your tickets at the entrance to the site and make your way to the Gardens of Light pathway starting point, that being the statue of the Rose Garden Lion.
17. My reservation is for a number of people. Must we all arrive at the same time?
Yes. The purchase of multiple tickets online means that you must all access the paid Jardin botanique site at the same time.
Gardens of Light Tour
18. How long is the Gardens of Light circuit?
The full Gardens of Light circuit takes you through three cultural gardens (Chinese Garden, First Nations Garden and Japanese Garden), for approximately 2 km. If you wish, you can exit the path at various areas, though you will be unable to re-enter the path.
19. Is this activity appropriate for children and persons with reduced mobility?
The Gardens of Light path is accessible to all. However, we recommend baby carriers instead of strollers to get around more easily on the site.
20. Can I do the Gardens of Light circuit several times with the same ticket?
The scheduled time-slot ticket for the Gardens of Light event gives you a single access to the site; however, there is no time limit for completing your visit.
21. What happens if I’m already in one of the three Gardens of Light paths at the end of the day?
The Chinese Garden, First Nations Garden and Japanese Garden will be cleared of visitors every day prior to the start of the Gardens of Light event. You will be unable to stay onsite. Access to the illuminated path will be controlled and reserved for Gardens of Light ticket holders.
22. Are there washrooms along the Garden of Light path?
Washrooms are available throughout the circuit (Chinese Garden, First Nations Garden, Japanese Garden).
23. Are pets allowed on the site?
Dogs and other pets are not allowed on Garden property, with the exception of service dogs and guide dogs, which may accompany their owners everywhere. Fostered guide dogs are allowed only on the access road. Proof of the dog’s status may be required.
24. Can I take pictures or videos?
Absolutely! Tripods, however, are not allowed along the Gardens of Light path. Don’t hesitate to share your photos on social media. #GardensOfLight
Commercial and professional photography sessions (artistic or other component), on the other hand, are not permitted at Space for Life.
25. Is it possible to eat onsite?
Of course! You have the choice of the Café-Terrasse , located alongside the Biodiversity Centre, and the Jardin restaurant, situated close to the western entrance to the gardens. Check the hours of operation on the Dining areas page.
