Unexpectedly beautiful day. Waiting for the Brentwood Bay ferry to take us across to the Saanich peninsula.Nice views while passing the time.Our tickets were for 3:45 so we explored the gift shop etc., until it got a little darker. This is me and Sarah (friend of my daughter’s – now also a friend of mine!) – under a beautiful tree. Pic of said tree in full dark coming a bit later on…Immediately we were impressed by the sheer number of lights and the quality of the displays.The theme was the 12 days of Christmas…and we saw the partridge in the pear tree first, natch.Gorgeous projection on these trees.Looking down into sunken garden.Of course we brought along the trippy special viewing glasses from Milner Gardens. This is what the displays looked like with the Christmas Star ones. In sunken garden. My son-in-law looking like a demon…LOL. Thanks, Sarah! 😉Now, in his human form. With cute wife (I made her!) and the lovely Sarah. 🙂And here is the lovely Sarah revealing revelling in her true form. Sigh…there’s always gotta be that one in every group…. 😉5 golden ringsWe were lucky not only with the weather, but that it was also the night of the full moon! Expect a lotta full moon photobombs…Gorgeous lights AND the full moon!Per the sign: clap or sing loudly to brighten/change the colours on this treeThat’s a lotta maids for milking only 1 animated cow!I don’t remember “1 dragon spitting” in the song but I am sure it is in there somewhere 😉Giant Christmas bauble topped by the moon.The Italian gardenLast full moon photobomb, I promise!Wire-framed trees and icicle tree, now in full dark.Back where we started. Tree from beginning, now in full darkWe couldn’t figure out where the 12 drummers drumming were at, until we exited the gardens and saw them overhead. Pardon the blurriness. Taken by me in the back seat of my car as my daughter drove us home.Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you!
Absolutely fabulous! And to think I can’t even keep a single reindeer lit through the season. How do they do it on such a grand scale? Thanks for sharing.
My daughter was at Butchart in September and they were already stringing up lights. They must have a warehouse or two for all of the lights and decor. Truly on a grand scale! Thanks, Rivergirl 💕
Love Butchart Gardens, two tours but during the day, Christmas lights would be magical. Not sure I’ll get there again, bit far from Oz. Thankyou for taking us along. Merry Christmas!
So cheerful and bright. I love all your photos. What an amazing place to visit, even if you Son in Law looks a little devilish! Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to you and yours. ⭐️
I had the very good fortune of visiting Bouchard Gardens a few years ago. I thought it was an amazing place and your Christmas photos only reinforce that opinion. Since your blog is called bad ass, I can only assume that the apple (Sara) didn’t fall far from the tree. I’ll bet you both are a lot of fun. Merry Christmas.
Wow, Spectacular. I went to 2 light displays here locally and neither comes close to those gardens. And with the full moon – glorious pictures! Happy Holidays!!
Hi Deb – so delighted to see your photos of the Gardens … at least I’ve seen them but never did get to see the lights, so appreciate these and can imagine the view scapes. Great timing – as you say … enjoy all festivities … cheers Hilary
I am still trying to figure out which ferry you were on. But as the lights and the moon! Amazing display and cool that you could walk through it. Glad you had good weather.
There’s a little ferry that goes from Brentwood Bay across to the Saanich peninsula, thereby avoiding going over the Malahat. Does that clear things up for you, Bernie? I’m glad we had good weather too. Thanks 💕
Of course! That makes perfect sense now. Saved a lot of driving. I hadn’t realized that ferry stayed open after the Malabat opened but again it makes sense.
Beautiful! I love that the theme turned your garden stroll into a bit of a scavenger hunt. I am glad your son-in-law isn’t really a demon 🙂
Hehehe! Yeah, me too…about the demon part! (Also the “scavenger hunt” for the 12 Days stuff….Thanks, Janis 💕
I have only ‘yays’ to offer here … yay, that it wasn’t raining (as you expected it to).
Yay, for the ferry ride … because, you know. Ferries.
Yay, that you could to see the Full Moon (I can’t say that!!).
Yay, for the great company, and yay, that the garden lights were so beautiful!!
The yays have it … your outing was perfect 🙂
Hooray for the yays! Thank you, Joanne 💕
This looks spectacular, both the lights & the fact that the weather was brilliant for you! Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Lynn 💕 Everything was brilliant about this day and outing!
Absolutely fabulous! And to think I can’t even keep a single reindeer lit through the season. How do they do it on such a grand scale? Thanks for sharing.
My daughter was at Butchart in September and they were already stringing up lights. They must have a warehouse or two for all of the lights and decor. Truly on a grand scale! Thanks, Rivergirl 💕
Wow! That was magical!! Just beautiful.
Yes, agreed! Happy to share. Thanks, Dawn 💕
Just beautiful!
I think this might have to become an annual event! Thanks, Kate 💕
Stunning shots! We are supposed to go there this Tuesday with our granddaughters. Can’t wait!
Glad you had perfect weather!
You will love it, Donna. Don’t forget to pack your “special” glasses! I didn’t see them for sale anywhere at the Gardens. Thank you 💕
Truly magical Deb. Thank you for sharing.
Leslie xoxo
You are most welcome, Leslie. Thank you 💕
Love Butchart Gardens, two tours but during the day, Christmas lights would be magical. Not sure I’ll get there again, bit far from Oz. Thankyou for taking us along. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Wendy 💕
Aaaaaaah-mazing! Happy holidays over there, Deb!
Thank you, Liesbet 💕 Prettige kerstdagen!!!
Bedankt! Xx
So cheerful and bright. I love all your photos. What an amazing place to visit, even if you Son in Law looks a little devilish! Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to you and yours. ⭐️
Thank you, Ally Bean 💕
💗
Thank you, LA 💕
Wow! That really is quite a stunning display. Have a wonderful Christmas on gorgeous VI Deb 🙂
Thank you, Debs 💕
Wow! What a gorgeous place. I’m sure it’s lovely during the day, but wowza with all the lights!
That full moon demanded to be seen, didn’t it?
It sure did! Would love to come back here in spring or summer. Thanks, Suz 💕
I had the very good fortune of visiting Bouchard Gardens a few years ago. I thought it was an amazing place and your Christmas photos only reinforce that opinion. Since your blog is called bad ass, I can only assume that the apple (Sara) didn’t fall far from the tree. I’ll bet you both are a lot of fun. Merry Christmas.
Sarah calls me Momma Deb so that makes her an honorary daughter of mine, for sure! Thank you, Bernadette 💕
Wow, Spectacular. I went to 2 light displays here locally and neither comes close to those gardens. And with the full moon – glorious pictures! Happy Holidays!!
Thank you, Pat 💕
Hi Deb – so delighted to see your photos of the Gardens … at least I’ve seen them but never did get to see the lights, so appreciate these and can imagine the view scapes. Great timing – as you say … enjoy all festivities … cheers Hilary
Thank you, Hilary 💕
Magical! Do go back in Spring when everything is in bloom – nature puts on a pretty good show too.
That she does! Already planning on coming back in the other seasons. Thanks, Suzanne 💕
How wonderful and delightful! I loved the moon shots.
Thank you, Deborah 💕
You’re welcome! ❤
Beautiful photos! I love how interactive some of the displays were. And how fun that they did the 12 Days of Christmas.
It was so much fun, Akilah. I felt like a kid again. Thanks 💕
Thanks for the tour. Saved me the trip out in the cold and dark.
That is such a Kieran Bullshit answer, and I am here for it 🤣. Thanks 💕
I am still trying to figure out which ferry you were on. But as the lights and the moon! Amazing display and cool that you could walk through it. Glad you had good weather.
There’s a little ferry that goes from Brentwood Bay across to the Saanich peninsula, thereby avoiding going over the Malahat. Does that clear things up for you, Bernie? I’m glad we had good weather too. Thanks 💕
Of course! That makes perfect sense now. Saved a lot of driving. I hadn’t realized that ferry stayed open after the Malabat opened but again it makes sense.
As usual impressed with the quality of your photos. Love the intensity of the colours.
Have a great Christmas. And may your faimly flourish. X
Thank you 💕 Same to you and yours!
Such fabulous photos! Thanks for sharing them.
Jude
You are most welcome! Thanks, Jude 💕