About Winter Wonders:
Winter Wonders is Royal Botanical Gardens’ signature winter experience attracting approximately 40,000 visitors over 5 weeks. Guests explore illuminated outdoor trails, enjoy festive music and seasonal treats, and take in the beauty of winter landscapes throughout Hendrie Park. Inside, vibrant plant displays, holiday décor, and a charming model train exhibit offer warmth and wonder for all ages. It’s a joyful tradition that blends nature, light, and celebration.
What we’re looking for:
To enhance the Winter Wonders experience RBG is seeking a performing arts element that helps animate the site with live performers. We are seeking a single organization or artist collective who can bring a sense of whimsy and energy to the outdoor festival grounds for the entire duration of Winter Wonders.
Deadline for application: Sunday, August 2, 2026, 12 midnight
CLICK HERE TO APPLY & FOR MORE INFORMATION
Optional Site Visit: Site visits will be held on Tuesdays and Thursday, between 10am to 2pm upon request
Event Dates:
November 25th, Preview night with media and RBG promotional content capture
November 26th, 2026 – January 3rd, 2026 (including December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30)
26 Dates in total
Thursday through Sunday only
5pm to 10pm each night
The presentation must be:
· Family-friendly, engaging for a multi-generational audience
· Consists of no less than 4 performers at all times
· Include professional costumes, masks, puppets or mobile elements that add to the experience
· Vignettes, bits, characters and moments, rather than a scripted, long-format narrative
· Interactive and engaging for both individuals at an intimate level, or a spectacle for crowds from a distance
What we don’t want:
· A presentation that takes place in one space. We want a performance that engages the grounds of Hendrie Park
· A deeply narrative work that requires the audience to see the entire performance for it to resonate
· A presentation that requires significant technical requirements (ie. No stage, production lighting, PA system, etc.)
· Only a roving musician performance > music is welcome as part of a performance but it cannot be simply a series of musicians performing without a character and visual spectacle