By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is proving that it’s no longer just a daytime destination.
This summer, RBG After Dark is transforming “ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey” at Hendrie Park into an adults-only evening experience that blends contemporary art, live entertainment, food, drinks, and interactive activities into a unique night out. The 19-plus event takes place on July 3, Aug. 8, Aug. 22, and Sept. 5. While the colourful exhibition has become a popular daytime attraction for families, organizers say the After Dark series was designed to show a different side of both the gardens and the artwork.
For Jeremy Freiburger, cultural development lead at RBG, the idea was always to create an experience that appealed to adults looking for something different.
“A lot of folks look at the ANCHORBALL exhibition and sort of feel like it’s a family thing, which it is,” Freiburger said. “But I chose it because I love it. I thought people around the age of 30 to 50 would be into it as well.”
The 19-plus event moves the popular After Dark series from the Rock Garden to Hendrie Park, where visitors can explore artist Ken Kelleher’s fictional Low Orbit City after hours while enjoying DJs, live musicians, hands-on art workshops, themed food and beverages, interactive experiences, and unexpected surprises hidden throughout the gardens.
“We thought it was a natural evolution to bring the After Darks over to the exhibition,” Freiburger said. “Ken’s work is so playful and contemporary and fun that I think it’s a great addition to a party vibe.”
The exhibition features 18 monumental sculptures, some standing as tall as 12 feet, but Freiburger says the evening programming encourages guests to do much more than simply admire the artwork.
Visitors can contribute to giant collaborative colouring walls, create artwork during artist-led workshops, and enjoy limited-edition beverages created through a collaboration with Collective Arts. Special Anchorball cans feature peel-away labels that become collectible stickers, giving guests something to take home from the evening.
Organizers are also intentionally leaving some experiences unannounced.
“There are things we’re being public about, like there’s food and drink and entertainment,” Freiburger said. “But there’s stuff that we’re intentionally not telling people, so you’re encouraged to wander around. You might find something down that trail that you didn’t know was going to be there.”
Throughout the gardens, surprise encounters with artists, photographers, and performers will create a different experience for every visitor.
The After Dark series is also part of a broader effort to reshape how people think about the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Freiburger, who joined RBG just over a year ago as its first cultural development lead, was brought in to expand the organization’s cultural programming and attract younger audiences.
“My job has been to look at all the stuff that we’re doing culturally, everything from music to exhibitions, and see where I think we can improve things and come up with some new ideas,” he said.
He says many people still think of the RBG as a daytime destination best suited for families or older visitors.
“I think a lot of people think of us as the great place to go with grandma and grandpa for a day walking around in the sun, which it absolutely is,” Freiburger said. “But we also want people in their 20s and 30s and 40s to think of this as a place where they are welcome and part of our programming.”
For parents especially, the adults-only atmosphere offers something increasingly valuable: a chance to enjoy an evening away from the responsibilities of everyday life.
“I know what it’s like to go out for date night with my partner and be able to leave the kids at home,” Freiburger said. “As much as it’s super fun to come when there are kids around, it’s also really fun to come when they’re not around.”
He describes the event as equally suited for couples looking for a date night, groups of friends gathering for a monthly outing, or anyone looking for a memorable evening outdoors.
“It’s the perfect date night,” he said. “It’s the perfect way to get all the gals together for your once-a-month outing together, or pull together the guys and head out and do something cool.”
Freiburger believes experiences like After Dark have become increasingly important as people seek meaningful ways to reconnect in person.
“People are really selective about what they go to now,” he said. “That one night a month they’re getting out, they want to know it’s going to be a banger.”
The strategy appears to be working. Freiburger says the ANCHORBALL exhibition attracted nearly 15,000 visitors within its first nine days, while attendance at RBG’s After Dark events has continued to increase year over year.
For those attending, he recommends taking time to explore rather than sticking to the main pathways. Hidden sculptures, quiet trails, and surprise installations reward visitors willing to wander.
He also encourages guests to experience the gardens during golden hour, particularly the sculpture titled First Light, which sits at one of the highest points in Hendrie Park.
“At sun-up and sun-down, she looks totally different with the colour of the light,” Freiburger said. “It’s a great thing if you’re there around nine o’clock to head over to First Light because you’ll see that sculpture come to life in a very different way.”
RBG After Dark: ANCHORBALL takes place at Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd. W. Admission is $27 plus HST and service fees, and the event is open to guests 19 years of age and older. Visitors can also discover hidden digital Cloudwalkers and unlock an augmented reality masterpiece while exploring the gardens, adding another layer of curiosity to an evening designed to celebrate art, nature, and community.
