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Alice in Bloomland: What to Expect at the RBG’s Whimsical Event

Alice in Bloomland is a magical botanical experience happening right now at the Royal Botanical Gardens. It’s a great way to escape the winter blues and surround yourself with beautiful blooms.

This visually stunning exhibit is inspired by the pages of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. It combines this world of curiosity with the magic of horticulture and whimsical floral designs.

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Alice in Bloomland at the Royal Botanical Gardens

I love attending events at the RBG. It’s one of the best gardens in the Toronto area. Plus, I adore coming here around Christmastime for their holiday event, Winter Wonders. It’s great that they’ve organized a new event throughout the dreary winter months.

Watch our Walkthrough Video

Want to see exactly what it’s like to visit Alice in Bloomland? Check out our short video all about the experience. You’ll see the various artistic displays, gorgeous blooms, and info to know before you go. While you’re taking a look, be sure to subscribe to our channel to stay in touch!

Alice in Bloomland: Winter Exhibit at the Royal Botanical Gardens

When I first walked into the main entrance at the Royal Botanical Gardens, I immediately noticed the very first Cheshire cat and a number of impressive displays. There are visual displays featuring a book motif and dozens of orchid blooms cascading down from high above.

Alice in Bloomland RBG
Orchids at the Royal Botanical Gardens

It really invites you right into the world of Alice in Wonderland from the start. You’ll need to purchase a timed ticket in advance from the official website. Show your ticket at the front and continue into the exhibition.

Art Displays, Interactive Exhibits and Photo Opportunities

Alice in Bloomland at the RBG

There are stunning visual arts pieces and sets to marvel at as you walk through this enchanting indoor wonderland. Many of these are interactive as well, and there are so many photo opportunities along the way.

Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the RBG
Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the RBG
Giant flower hat
Alice in Bloomland RBG

You’ll see the caterpillar, the house of the white rabbit, and the Mad Hatter’s tea party with so many treats on the table that look good enough to eat. You can also take a photo standing beneath a massive top hat made out of roses and other flowers in a rainbow of colours.

Wanders in the Greenhouses

Greenhouses at the RBG

Take a stroll into the greenhouses and be surrounded by gorgeous flowers. The flowers smell so amazing here, it will feel like spring is in the air. The floral displays include the playing cards, famously painting the white roses red, just like in the story.

The greenhouses are of course toasty warm, it is the perfect winter escape. There are so many flowers in bloom here and I am sure you will immediately notice the gorgeous orchid blooms. There are over 25,000 real orchid blooms in this exhibit, along with other plant displays including cyclamen, hyacinths, hydrangeas and more.

Alice in Bloomland RBG
Alice in Bloomland RBG
Flowers at the RBG
RBG Orchids
Cheshire Cat Eyes
Teapot Tree
teapot tree

Another fun part of Alice in Bloomland are the eyes and smile of the Cheshire cat randomly appearing around the exhibit. See if you can find them all.

One of my very favourite displays is located inside the greenhouse. Along with playing cards, there’s a tree with all kinds of brightly painted teapots hanging from it.

Of Wonders Wild and New: An Art Exhibit

Of Wonders Wild and New

Once you’ve immersed yourself in all the blooms, continue your visit at the art exhibit called “Of Wonders Wild and New”, produced by Cobalt Connects. This art installation features textile-based artworks made by artists from around the world. There are woven works made out of crocheted fishing nets, embroidered works and beautiful rug tufting pieces.

Of Wonders Wild and New
Of Wonders Wild and New
Of Wonders Wild and New

Some of the installations are interactive. There’s one you can walk through and admire the fabrics that are suspended from the ceiling all around you. There’s another one made out of soft fabric that you can walk across, touch, and sit on.

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Tea House

Afternoon tea at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Your ticket to Alice in Bloomland also includes all other areas around the RBG. While there isn’t much to see outdoors in terms of flowers, everything looks so beautiful with a light dusting of snow.

We decided to go for afternoon tea at the teahouse. While we visited on February 1st (opening day) and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party wasn’t happening just yet, it’s taking place right now on select dates. There is a special menu for the Alice in Bloomland event.

Afternoon tea at the Royal Botanical Gardens
Afternoon tea at the Royal Botanical Gardens

We loved going here for afternoon tea. There are vegetarian and vegan menus as well. Even if you have any other special diets, make the teahouse aware in advance and they’ll try their best to accommodate. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you don’t need to give any advance notice.

Please note that you will need to have a ticket to Alice in Bloomland in order to go for afternoon tea. You need to pass through the halls and Hendrie Park to reach the teahouse.

RBG After Dark (19+)

RBG After Dark is an adults-only, special event taking place at nighttime on select dates. Discover Alice in Bloomland at night. There’s also the addition of live music and special “eat me” and “drink me” treats. I’d love to go back to experience this!

Whether you attend the regular daytime Alice in Bloomland event, the nighttime RBG After Dark, or afternoon tea at the tea house, it’s such a wonderful way to escape winter for a couple of hours. Get your tickets at the official website.

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