Three years in the making…
Festival of Fountains – The Night Garden introduces guests to a highly visual and immersive story telling experience. Indulge all your senses through water, light and sound! Explore our scenic 22 acre multi-award winning botanical garden before nightfall, enjoy on site snack and beverage hospitality, and our live musical entertainment showcase each Saturday before the show begins at nightfall.
Our parking lot and pathways including our 100 year old cottonwood at the garden entrance are illuminated with computerized lighting and synchronized to music.
*2024 Innovator of the Year Award Regional Finalist 2023 – Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation
*2023 Leadership Award – Garden Tourism Person(s) of The Year / Garden Diversity Innovation – International Garden Tourism Conference/Canadian Garden Council
*2022 Festival of Fountains – The Night Gardens – Best New Event Nomination, FEO
The Technology
The team at Whistling Gardens has created a theatrical fountain experience unlike anything ever seen before in Canada. Over 100 fountains are illuminated with custom-built fountain lights, the first computerized fountain pumps imported into Canada developed in Germany, and using various styles of lighting, including fibre optics and lasers that are all controlled with state-of-the-art software. Owner and composer Darren Heimbecker continues to work with engineers and technology experts from around the world as Whistling Gardens creates a magical theatrical experience!
The Music - AriaWorks
Darren Heimbecker - Composer, Fountain Light Design and Choreography Merited Composer and fountain light designer, Darren Heimbecker is available for musical composition and fountain lighting design, sequencing and choreography. Over the years, many musical recordings continue to be developed in collaboration with Canadian and international music industry professional musicians that have a respect and understanding of the new world music genre. Talents include; Pedro Eustache (Yanni, Hans Zimmer) the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra along with many credited professional musicians across Canada. Compositions are available in a variety of musical instrumental styles, with a focus on integrating old world sounds and instruments with modern day technology. Several commissioned works have been composed for the Trans Canada Trail Relay Foundation, which was recognized with a Medal of Merit from the former Deputy Prime of Canada, several documentary vignettes, national figure skating competitions and existing shows at Whistling Gardens Ltd. AriaWorks is available for sequencing music and light/special effects and choreography. Specializations include working with MIDI to CV, MIDI to DMX and DMX and various controllers to smoothly run an entire world class show through one program.
Enjoy this sampling of AriaWorks music
Festival of Fountains returns for more incredible Saturday evening performances in 2024!
Ticket Cost & Performance Details:
• Adult tickets $30.00 + HST (16yr +)
• Youth Tickets $20.00 + HST (5-15yrs)
• 4 yrs and under – FREE
- Botanical Gardens Doors Open at 6PM/7 PM depending on the show date – check your ticket
- Ticket includes 22 acre Botanical Garden Explore, Live Entertainment with Hospitality & Snacks available
- Chairs are provided to presold ticket holders. Guest tents erected above dry seats in light rain. Bring your umbrella.
- Fountain Show Runtime: 52 minutes (9 compositions)
- YES, your Festival of Fountains Ticket includes botanical gardens admission. Make a day of it, use your ticket to explore the gardens during the day, enjoy dinner off site at a local eatery (we can recommend many) and return for our evening event!
- Buying TICKETS At Door? Only selected shows due to capacity bookings. Door sales are recommend to bring your own cozy chair as we cannot predict the door sale demand due to online capacity presold tickets.
- In the event of inclement weather, the show will take place the following evening or select another show date.
Click here for information on Groups, or Performance Terms & Conditions
2024 Show Dates - Every Saturday!
August 24 - September 21 Shows SOLD OUT
September 28 Show - No Door Sales, Limited Tickets Available
2024 Festival of Fountains -The Night Garden
Only
until our Festival of Fountains Season begins!
Groups & Terms & Conditions:
GROUP RATES: (GR)
Groups of 20+ guests receive a special reduced rate as a thank you gift!
• Adult tickets $30.00 + HST (16yr +) $5.00 reduction (GR) $25.00 per adult + HST
• Youth Tickets $20.00 + HST (5-15yrs) $4.00 reduction (GR) $16.00 per youth + HST
• 4 yrs and under – FREE
PRIVATE SHOWS 50+ GUESTS! Custom hospitality packages and private shows are available.
Groups must contact info@whistlinggardens.ca to secure reduced rate.
*Whistling Gardens Season Members receive a onetime special offer. Contact info@whistlinggardens.ca to authorize and reserve.
Etiquette & Amenities: Dress for the weather. Please bring and use appropriate attire. High heeled footwear is not recommended. Folding chairs provided, guests are welcome to bring their favorite chair and cozy blanket.
No flash photography during the fountain show is permitted. Tripods are not allowed into the gardens for evening hours.
No food or drink permitted into the gardens. Non alcoholic beverage hospitality and packaged snacks are available on site.
No pets are allowed into the gardens.
Seating throughout the gardens & picnic area available
Accessible restrooms and handwash stations are available at the venue.
Free parking
Guest safety remains our main priority, all public health and safety measures ensure your safety. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures
The Festival of Fountains – The Night Garden is best experienced during total darkness.
Please note, the Amphitheatre showtime may vary slightly as the sun is setting for the evening.
Visual Sensitivity Warning: Please note, this show does contain flashing light installations that may trigger a response, such as seizures, within people with photosensitivity.
Booking Requirements & Release of Liability: By purchasing a ticket you consent and hereby release Whistling Gardens Ltd., AriaWorks, property owners, affiliates, staff, volunteers and all related subsidiary parties from all liabilities. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Whistling Gardens Ltd., and the above mentioned, against all such losses, costs, claims, or demands, including the payment of legal suits and expenses in connection therewith.
Refund Policy: The gardens and Festival of Fountains – The Night Garden are open rain or shine, tickets are non-refundable.
In extreme weather conditions, Environment Canada guidelines must be followed where ticket purchasers will be notified of the event status and rescheduled date options (the following day). However, due to new COVID-19 measures, if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms we will move you to a new date. This experience is comparable to a concert or an entrance to the cinema. If you can not be present for your showtime, we cannot make any refunds or changes.
Important Check-In Information: Once you have completed your online booking, please check to ensure you received your confirmation email, as this contains your show tickets and relevant information.
Please check your junk mail if you have not received it.
