WHEN DOES THE 2021 DURBAN BOTANIC GARDENS TRAIL OF LIGHTS TAKE PLACE?
The Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights is scheduled to open on the 03rd December 2021 and continues until the 02nd January 2022 subject to Covid regulations and allowances around events. The event is closed on Christmas Day.
Tickets for the 2021 Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights will be released in phases as regulations become clearer. Date availability cannot be guaranteed unless officially announced and released via our ticketing agent and social media platforms.
WHAT MAKES THE 2021 DURBAN BOTANIC GARDENS TRAIL OF LIGHTS DIFFERENT TO THE PREVIOUS YEARS EVENT?
2021 will see the return of our world class lighting displays, festive characters and our famous food garden. We have had to make some changes to the trail route to ensure maximum social distancing and flow, but we promise you are in for an absolute festive treat as always!
HOW IS THIS EVENT COVID19 SAFE?
The Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights team are working tirelessly to
ensure a safe and secure event for all to enjoy! We have an experienced
Health and Safety team onsite who are constantly monitoring the event and ensuring compliance.
The following measures will be in place:
– The event is staged within an outdoor space which allows for ventilation and social distancing.
– There are timed slot entries to prevent overcrowding.
– Temperature checks will be done on arrival.
– Wearing of masks is mandatory. No Mask = No Entry.
– Sanitising stations will be provided for use throughout the trail.
DO I NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE?
The Trail of Lights has proven to be so popular in the past, that tickets were sold within days of release so we definitely recommend that you purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Due to space limitations, we limit the number of attendees allowed on the trail per night. We strongly recommend that you purchase tickets in advance to ensure admittance to the event. We cannot guarantee admission to the event to anyone who has not purchased tickets in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door.
This year we have introduced our Peace of Mind Ticket Policy. This offers attendees a full refund on tickets purchased should the event be cancelled due to
(a) a change in Covid19 lockdown regulations, or
(b) a decrease in maximum outdoor capacity numbers resulting in us not being able to accommodate you.
The amount refunded will be minus the Webtickets booking fee, We hope that this policy gives you peace of mind to book those tickets, knowing that you will receive your money back should changes occur.
No refunds will be done for no-shows.
WHERE CAN I BUY TICKETS TO THE 2021 DURBAN BOTANIC
GARDENS TRAIL OF LIGHTS?
Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za, or from your nearest Pick n Pay store. Ticket prices are as follows:
6pm entry ticket – R70
7pm entry ticket – R65
8pm entry ticket – R60
NO tickets will be sold at the door on event nights.
Children aged 2 and under enter for free. Everyone else requires a ticket.
Please note that Webtickets and Pick n Pay are the ONLY official retailers of Trail of Light tickets. We cannot confirm the validity of tickets purchased via third party resellers.
HOW DO THE TIME SLOTS WORK?
Your purchased time slot ticket is the earliest time you are able to
enter the Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights venue. This is done to
ensure that each guest has a magical experience and to avoid overcrowding when entering. Once you have entered the Trail of Lights, you are able to stay for as long as you would like until the event closes at 9.30pm.
Although you are not able to enter Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights
prior to your allocated time slot, if you are running a little bit behind, you will still be able to enter once your arrival window has past. However, we kindly ask that you try to arrive as close as possible to your chosen time-slot time.
MAY I USE MY TICKETS ON ANY NIGHT OF DURBAN BOTANIC GARDENS TRAIL OF LIGHTS?
No, please attend on the date you purchased the tickets for.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS ON THE NIGHT I PURCHASED TICKETS FOR?
If there is severe, adverse weather (torrential) and the event is OFFICIALLY CANCELLED on that specific night, all ticket holders will be notified via sms as well as an announcement made on social media. Tickets purchased may then be rescheduled for use on any remaining event night via the Webtickets booking system subject to availability. This only applies to event nights that have been OFFICIALLY cancelled by the event organising team. No refunds for no-shows.
WHY IS THERE A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN
ATTEND EACH NIGHT?
We’ve placed a limit on attendance each evening to provide a better experience for guests by preventing extremely large crowds on any given night, and to adhere to the government regulations around mass gatherings and social distancing due to Covid19.
IS THERE PARKING?
Yes, dedicated parking is available at the uMphafa grounds at the Visitors Complex entrance. There is a surcharge applicable for parking. Please note that parking is limited and fills quickly. If you park in the surrounding neighbourhood on a side street, please be respectful of our neighbours and park legally. Durban Botanic Gardens will not be held liable for any parking tickets received.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED?
This year we are encouraging attendees to go cashless for health and safety reasons! ALL vendors will have card or electronic facilities (Zapper, Snapscan) available at their stands. There will be NO ATM on site.
CAN I PURCHASE FOOD AT TRAIL OF LIGHTS?
Yes, there will be a food gardens set up with local artisanal vendors on site. We have a variety of food options available, including halaal and vegan options. Unfortunately no food or alcohol will be permitted onto the premises. We do allow picnic blankets and chairs in the Lake area.
WHAT KIND OF CLOTHES SHOULD I WEAR?
The Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights is an outdoor event, so we suggest wearing comfortable shoes with good traction. Please come prepared for outdoor weather conditions. Umbrellas are allowed.
IS THE TRAIL UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE?
Yes, the trail and surrounding event areas are wheelchair and pram accessible. Wheelchairs will not be available for hire this year due to Covid19.
ARE PETS ALLOWED AT THE DURBAN BOTANIC GARDEN TRAIL OF LIGHTS?
Unfortunately pets are not permitted. Service dogs/animals will be permitted entry.
WHAT ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED FROM THE DURBAN BOTANIC GARDENS TRAIL OF LIGHTS?
No weapons, food, drinks, animals, ammunition, illegal substances, glow merchandise, bicycles, balls, balloons, glass or gazebos will be permitted into the venue.
WILL PHOTOGRAPHY BE ALLOWED?
Durban Botanic Gardens welcomes photographers who capture and film their experience on cameras and smart phones for personal use and sharing via social media. Please use the hashtag #DBGTOL2021. Please note that photographers are not allowed to block any entrance or lighting feature solely for their own use. Public has right of way at all times.
