By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As winter settles in, Royal Botanical Gardens’ Winter Wonders has once again transformed the gardens into a glowing gathering place for the community, inviting visitors to slow down, connect, and experience nature through light, art, and shared moments. Running until January 4, 2026, the annual evening event continues to grow as a space where families, friends, and neighbours come together during the colder months, with new installations and returning favourites that emphasize connection as much as spectacle.
One of the most meaningful examples of that connection this year is the expansion of Tree Love, also known as the “hugging tree,” an interactive light installation created by artist duo ZEM — Kristyna Balaban and Adam Široký. Last year, visitors encountered a single illuminated tree. This season, Tree Love has grown to three trees, allowing multiple people to participate at once, turning an individual interaction into a shared experience.
“For us, it really brings people together because it’s a shared experience,” says Balaban. “A lot of people tell us that watching people hug the tree is almost even better than hugging the tree. You don’t have to participate just one way — you can observe, comment, or walk around the trees. There are multiple ways of connecting.”
ZEM’s work blends video and projection mapping with a deep interest in human emotion and the natural world. Balaban grew up in Canada, while Široký was raised in Prague. They are currently based in Kitchener, and their studio name, ZEM, means “earth” in Czech, a fitting foundation for a project rooted in connection to living things.
Tree Love first debuted in 2024 at Ontario Place during the Lumière: The Art of Light, at a time when large numbers of trees were being removed as part of new development on the site. That moment sparked a question that became the heart of the installation: would people feel more empathy for trees if trees could visibly respond to human touch?
“That was the inspiration behind it,” Balaban explains. “This idea of visualizing a human emotion, would we have more empathy for trees if they reacted when we hug them, if they had a reaction that we, as humans, can understand? When you hug the tree, it responds with light. In a way, it shows love back.”
Each interaction produces a unique colour response, generated through a randomized filter that many visitors instinctively personalize.
“People often think it’s their aura colour,” Balaban says, noting how guests assign personal meaning to the experience. That sense of meaning, she adds, is part of what makes the installation powerful, especially for those who may be feeling isolated.
“We don’t necessarily have to get that sense of connection only from another human being. We can also get it from other living beings on the planet — trees, being in a forest, or walking barefoot in the grass. That perspective shift is really important.”
Installing technology on living trees comes with its own responsibility. ZEM works closely with a local arborist to ensure the LED lights are installed in a way that is respectful and non-disruptive.
“We want to do this in a way that doesn’t damage the tree,” says Balaban. “The tree itself is part of the installation. Its shape, its size, how it grows — all of that matters. We’ve had the installation in three different locations already, and it looks different every time.”
Beyond its visual appeal, Balaban hopes Tree Love acts as a catalyst for conversation about the role of trees in urban environments. “I hope it helps people see the value of having trees in urban spaces and not see them as disposable,” she says. “It’s a living being. Even if it doesn’t talk or cry, it’s still living and communicating in its own way. We shouldn’t take that for granted.”
Tree Love joins another interactive favourite at Winter Wonders, the Singing Tree, which Royal Botanical Gardens first introduced in 2022. Created by Canadian design studio Limbic Media, the Singing Tree uses the company’s Aurora™ system, a sound-responsive lighting platform that translates live audio into light. Integrated microphones capture voices and ambient sound from visitors, which the system processes in real-time to control colour, brightness, and movement across the tree. The installation responds most strongly to collective participation, encouraging groups to speak, laugh, or sing together as the tree glows in response, reinforcing the shared nature of the experience.
Tree Love and the Singing Tree sit alongside a broader Winter Wonders experience that continues to evolve. Adrienne Lister, events producer at Royal Botanical Gardens, says, “This year’s event introduces several new installations by Canadian artists, including Luminous Crossings, which brings illuminated structures into the heart of the garden, and Golden Hour and Golden Eye, which use warm light and reflective surfaces to create quiet, contemplative moments. Woodland After Dark adds a playful layer with softly lit animal silhouettes tucked throughout the landscape.”
Interactive elements remain central to the experience, with Switch/Grass inviting guests to activate waves of light through more than 5,000 glowing blades, alongside the expanded Tree Love installation. This season also introduces the Artisan Village, a new feature highlighting local makers and small businesses, giving visitors an opportunity to support regional creators while exploring the gardens.
“Visitors can expect a magical evening as the garden comes alive with illuminated art, interactive installations, festive music, and the natural beauty of the winter landscape,” says Lister. “With new installations, returning favourites, and added comforts across the site, Winter Wonders delivers a rich, immersive experience for guests of all ages.”
At its core, Winter Wonders is about more than light displays. “RBG events bring people together through shared experiences that blend nature, art, and community,” Lister adds. “By highlighting the work of local creators and collaborating with local partners, we’re creating meaningful spaces for families and friends to connect.”
As the season unfolds, Winter Wonders continues to offer a reminder that connection can be found in unexpected places, through art, through nature, and sometimes, through the simple act of hugging a tree.
