Milner Gardens

News Stories

Three people walk along a lighted path that is illuminated with a rainbow light projection. Trees along the side of the path are strung with white, yellow, green and blue lights.

Milner Gardens & Woodland illuminated with thousands of lights this holiday season

November 27, 2023

Visitors can stroll through the dazzling lights during Milner Christmas Magic. Make memories with family and friends this holiday season during Milner Christmas Magic – the annual festive light display.  “We’re heartened by the fact that this event has become a staple in so many families’ holiday traditions, so we are pleased to be bringing it back with more lights than ever before. If visiting... Read more

A canopy of trees with red, yellow and green leaves surround Milner House.

Milner Garden’s all-new Scarecrow Spectacular offers family-friendly fun

October 17, 2023

What: Scarecrow Spectacular When:  October 27 to 29, 11 am to 3 pm Where: VIU’s Milner Gardens & Woodland Enjoy a day of family fun during Milner Gardens & Woodlands’ first annual Scarecrow Spectacular. “We wanted to bring the beauty of fall in the gardens to the forefront with an all-new visitor experience,” said Emily Weeks, Operations Coordinator for Milner Gardens. “Guests are in... Read more

Red, green and blue Christmas lights adorn trees and bushes and the roof of Milner House.

Milner Gardens & Woodland’s festive light display is full of holiday magic

November 22, 2022

The beloved outdoor festival of lights begins on Friday, December 2.  Milner Christmas Magic returns this year with an expansion into the new Rhododendron Species Garden, all lit up in colour. The annual event hosted by Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens & Woodland offers visitors a dazzling experience walking through thousands of twinkling lights strung along the garden... Read more

Two people walk along a path near a tree with red leaves at Milner Gardens & Woodland.

Health professionals can prescribe access to VIU’s Milner Gardens through national program

July 4, 2022

VIU’s Milner Gardens & Woodland partnering with BC Parks Foundation on PaRx initiative to allow people free access to nature to benefit their health. Spending time connecting with nature is a powerful way for people to improve their health and well-being, and now those most in need can access Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens & Woodland for free through a nature... Read more

Green, blue and red holiday lights twinkle and glow on Milner House and trees and shrubs.

Christmas Magic Returns this Holiday Season to VIU’s Milner Gardens & Woodland

November 24, 2021

Outdoor festival of lights runs Fridays to Sundays during the first three weeks of December. The garden paths and buildings at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens & Woodland will twinkle and glow with thousands of lights during Milner Christmas Magic this holiday season. After cancelling last year’s event due to COVID restrictions, the annual outdoor festival of lights is... Read more

Five people stand around a tree at Milner Gardens & Woodland.

VIU’s Milner Gardens & Woodland Receives Provincial Support to Aid in Recovery from Pandemic

July 30, 2021

The public garden is one of 80 anchor attractions and tour bus operators in BC receiving funding. After a year and a half of drastically reduced visiting hours and revenues, Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens & Woodland will receive a grant from the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport to aid in recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The public garden... Read more

Research Project Studies Impacts of Climate Change on Local Plant Species

May 14, 2020

Researchers are examining how plant life cycles are impacted by climate change in an effort to better inform land, resource and conservation management decisions. Many animal and insect species rely on the life cycles of plants budding, blooming, bearing fruit and seeding at specific times of the year for survival, and if the natural cycle changes it can have devastating effects. To determine if... Read more

Christmas Magic Fills the Air at Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 10, 2019

Milner Gardens hosts its annual family festival of lights and music this December. It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens and Woodland. The seaside garden in Qualicum Beach hosts its annual family festival, called Milner Christmas Magic, this December. Volunteers have been stringing up thousands of lights over the past few months to turn... Read more

Milner Gardens & Woodland Lights up for the Holidays

November 23, 2018

Live holiday music, thousands of dazzling lights, sweet treats, a Teddy Bear cottage and visits with Santa Claus are just a few of the reasons families and community members will enjoy a visit to Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens & Woodland in Qualicum Beach this December. Be sure to check out the display of delightful gingerbread houses created by VIU’s Professional Baking... Read more

Events

Dec
10
When: Friday, Dec 15, 2023, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Dec 17 2023. Also includes Mon Dec 18 2023, Tue Dec 19 2023, Wed Dec 20 2023.
Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 1 - 3, 8 - 10, 15 - 20 from 5 pm – 8 pm with viewing until 8:30 pm.Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic’s outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Not only will our woodland garden come alive with this spectacular light exhibit, but you'll be able to find something for everyone on...

Dec
15
When: Friday, Dec 15, 2023, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Dec 17 2023. Also includes Mon Dec 18 2023, Tue Dec 19 2023, Wed Dec 20 2023.
Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 1 - 3, 8 - 10, 15 - 20 from 5 pm – 8 pm with viewing until 8:30 pm.Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic’s outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Not only will our woodland garden come alive with this spectacular light exhibit, but you'll be able to find something for everyone on...

Dec
16
When: Friday, Dec 15, 2023, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Dec 17 2023. Also includes Mon Dec 18 2023, Tue Dec 19 2023, Wed Dec 20 2023.
Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 1 - 3, 8 - 10, 15 - 20 from 5 pm – 8 pm with viewing until 8:30 pm.Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic’s outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Not only will our woodland garden come alive with this spectacular light exhibit, but you'll be able to find something for everyone on...

Dec
17
When: Friday, Dec 15, 2023, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Dec 17 2023. Also includes Mon Dec 18 2023, Tue Dec 19 2023, Wed Dec 20 2023.
Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 1 - 3, 8 - 10, 15 - 20 from 5 pm – 8 pm with viewing until 8:30 pm.Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic’s outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Not only will our woodland garden come alive with this spectacular light exhibit, but you'll be able to find something for everyone on...

Dec
18
When: Friday, Dec 15, 2023, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Dec 17 2023. Also includes Mon Dec 18 2023, Tue Dec 19 2023, Wed Dec 20 2023.
Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 1 - 3, 8 - 10, 15 - 20 from 5 pm – 8 pm with viewing until 8:30 pm.Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic’s outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Not only will our woodland garden come alive with this spectacular light exhibit, but you'll be able to find something for everyone on...

Dec
19
When: Friday, Dec 15, 2023, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Dec 17 2023. Also includes Mon Dec 18 2023, Tue Dec 19 2023, Wed Dec 20 2023.
Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 1 - 3, 8 - 10, 15 - 20 from 5 pm – 8 pm with viewing until 8:30 pm.Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic’s outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Not only will our woodland garden come alive with this spectacular light exhibit, but you'll be able to find something for everyone on...

Dec
20
When: Friday, Dec 15, 2023, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Repeats every week every Sunday and every Friday and every Saturday until Sun Dec 17 2023. Also includes Mon Dec 18 2023, Tue Dec 19 2023, Wed Dec 20 2023.
Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 1 - 3, 8 - 10, 15 - 20 from 5 pm – 8 pm with viewing until 8:30 pm.Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic’s outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Not only will our woodland garden come alive with this spectacular light exhibit, but you'll be able to find something for everyone on...