If you’re longing for the touch of warm air on your skin, the scents of blooms and sounds of fluttering leaves as the sun goes down, we have a solution. The Leaf After Dark promises botanical bliss in Winnipeg’s very own tropical oasis.

A deeper dive after dark

Visitors to The Leaf in Winnipeg know all about the stunning showcase of diversity inside the now iconic horticultural attraction. Four distinct spaces reveal the beauty of plant life from forest floor ferns to fragrant rosemary and showy tropical blooms. The Leaf After Dark offers a deeper dive into the greenhouse, complete with a variety of entertainment perfectly suited to this adults-only experience. It’s a unique way to connect with nature, share time with friends or impress on date night!

How The Leaf Has Grown

Since its official opening three years ago, plants inside The Leaf have grown—as plants tend to do. So if you haven’t visited in a while, consider this your invitation to come see how the spaces have matured. Those first plantings have grown into established greenery, filling in layers throughout the tropical and Mediterranean biomes, providing a lush background for the revolving exhibits at the Babs Asper Display House and providing homes for exquisite butterflies.

Sip, Stroll and Listen

The Leaf After Dark start at 7 pm, so grab a refreshment (there’s beer and wine too) at The Leaf Coffee Bar and begin your leisurely stroll through the distinct biomes. The shop proudly serves White Buffalo Coffee Company coffee, cappuccino, espresso and a selection of teas. Plus there are sweet treats if it’s dessert you’re craving.

Plus, The Leaf After Dark comes complete with free entertainment! For example, the November 5 evening welcomes Chickadee, a jazz quintet led by bassist Fred Warner with Paul Klassen, Nolan Gottfied, Ava Persaud and Tirian Plett. Drawing on both jazz and folk traditions and inspired by the beauty and tenacity of nature, Chickadee is eclectic, experimental and exciting. A special New Year’s Eve edition of The Leaf After Dark has Alyssa Crockett and Nathaniel Muir on stage, a pair of entertainers who first met during their roles as Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz at Winnipeg’s Rainbow Stage.

Nature’s Stage: Butterflies and Waterfalls

Along with an astounding volume and variety of plant life, The Leaf is also home to the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden. Take the elevator six storeys up to a space where exotic species flutter high above a sea of green. And Canada’s largest indoor waterfall—also at six storeys high—helps create a wonderfully humid environment in the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome.

Gifts and Gathering

Before you leave your after-dark experience, visit The Leaf Gift Shop where a curated selection of handmade items connect people to nature. It’s mostly local and Canadian-made products, including Indigenous artwork, jewelry, skincare and housewares including candles, drinkware and reusable food packaging. And for something special, consider the gift of a membership to The Leaf. Members enjoy discounts, pre-sale opportunities for special events and more exclusive benefits.

Come for dinner

Chorizo spiced vegan tacos? Hickory smoked pork belly? Ginger lemongrass crème brûlée? Temptations abound at Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar, located right inside The Leaf. Make your Leaf After Dark evening extra special by starting with dinner. The restaurant explores food from across cultures—incorporating fresh, locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients from their gardens in season. They’re big on pickling, preserving and fermenting, plus highlighting Manitoban ingredients and growers.

Always Growing

Just like the plants that make The Leaf so special, visitors are encouraged to bloom and grow through a variety of programs, workshops and tours. Gardener Chats are a favourite as a member of horticultural team explains our connections to plants and provide insider knowledge about the plantings within the biomes. Chats happen daily at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm on weekdays and 11:30 am on weekends.

Plan Your Visit

The Leaf After Dark has become one of Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s most popular events, so advance tickets are highly recommended. Get them here rather than taking a chance with walk-up availability. Tickets are a great deal at $15.30 for adults and $13.25 for seniors and students.

Upcoming Event Dates

• November 5, 2025
• November 26, 2025
• December 31, 2025
  

Whether it’s The Leaf After Dark, dinner at Gather or popping in for a Gardener Chat, The Leaf is truly one of Manitoba’s gems. It’s a place for quiet reflection with a sketch pad and a coffee or a stroll with a youngster on a botanical journey. Plan your visit right here.