Bookings

Booking space and activities

With a unique farm and forest setting right here in Vancouver, the UBC Farm provides a stunning site for your group to come together for celebrations, ceremonies, and learning.

People from around the world have discovered the UBC Farm as guests to festivals, conferences, long table dinners, weddings, corporate parties, reunions, field dinners, meetings and retreats, bonfires, outdoor movie screenings, photo shoots and more. Find out how to rent the UBC Farm for your event, organize a guided tour, book a custom workshop, or a kid’s birthday party.

Guided Tours and Field Trips

Request a guided tour or field trip at the UBC Farm

Join us to learn about the food system

Learn about food sustainability by immersing yourself in the landscape of a working certified organic farm and research, community and teaching hub! Join us for a guided tour of the UBC Farm. The UBC Farm provides a unique site for learning about global issues in food systems in the context of a 24-hectare certified organic farm with integrated community-engaged educational programming, research, and teaching. Our tours bring visitors of all ages through the dynamic UBC Farm site to learn about each of the topics that interest your group the most, such as: biodiversity, education, sustainable agriculture, food systems, Indigenous lands and medicines, food sovereignty, and innovative research.

We are offering guided tours in-person and online!

  • In-person guided tours are available for up to 30 participants.
  • Virtual tours are available live, via Zoom, with no participant limit.
  Request A Tour or Field Trip  

We will do our best to accommodate all requests, but we encourage you to request tours at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability.

Fees

SERVICE FEE DESCRIPTION
On-site guided tour for one (1) to thirty (30) guests OR Live virtual tour $100/hour Tour lasts one hour and is led by a UBC Farm tour guide
 

Please note that an additional 5% GST will be added for all tours. Payment can be made in cash or cheque. Let us know ahead of time if you require an invoice or receipt. If cost is a barrier, we are happy to talk to you further about it at farm.team@ubc.ca.

 
Book Space

Book one of the UBC Farm venues

The UBC Farm is a working farm on the unceded territory of the Musqueam People. We share this space with the UBC community and beyond to allow diverse groups of people to enjoy the beautiful, rustic setting of farm and forest. A self-serve space, it allows a great deal of flexibility for community members to create their ideal event.

The UBC Farm provides some amenities and resources, but the details of the event are the responsibility of the renter, including rental equipment, sound, lighting, chairs, tables, catering etc. Many spaces are regularly used by our own programming so book well in advance of your preferred date to secure your spot.

Tell us what type of gathering you are planning through the bookings request form below and our site administrator will get in touch about our availability. We review all requests on a case-by-case basis to ensure all events fit within the spirit and mandate of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems.

Estimated Response Time It may take up to 15 business days before we review your application. We are receiving a higher than usual amount of event requests. We appreciate your patience!

Booking Packages

You will have access to our Events Field, Orchard and Poplar Grove areas. The Yurt is available to book as an additional space, subject to availability.

Package #1 - Micro-wedding, ceremony + photography only:

  • 50 people or less
  • No catering or alcohol service permitted
  • $250.00/hr - minimum two hours + 50% damage deposit
  • One outdoor, portable toilet unit will be available for guest use
  • Folding tables and chairs may be available, depending on the date and time. Please indicate the # needed when booking.
  • One staff from the UBC Farm Events team will be on site to oversee all event activity during the booking time
  • Bookable hours from 9:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Bookable seven days a week. Saturdays from June - November will only be available from 3:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.

Package #2 - Wedding + Reception, or other event with alcohol and catering service:

  • Receptions are back - catering and alcohol service, too! (Apply for your Special Events Permit here through the BCLDB.)
  • Day rate (9:00AM - 6:00PM): $2000.00
  • Day + Evening rate (9:00AM - 9:00PM): $3500.00
  • Saturday rate (June-December only): (3:00PM - 9:00PM): $2000.00
  • Renter is required to provide a washroom unit for guests.
  • One staff from the UBC Farm Events team will be on site to oversee all event activity during the booking time
  • Bookable hours from 9:00AM - 9:00PM
  • Bookable seven days a week. Saturdays from June - November will only be available from 3:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
  • We have no restrictions on third party vendors, you are free to bring in your own caterers, décor team, florists, photographers, musicians, etc.
  • Refer to our Booking Guidelines for policies on cancellation, damage deposits, and more.
Events with Alcohol:

The following policy must be reviewed and must be signed and submitted to the Film and Events Office 30 business days prior to the start of the event when alcohol is being served:

Holding a Sustainable Event:

Event planners should use UBC Sustainability's green event planning tips to produce a zero-waste event.

Holding an Accessible and Inclusive Event:

Event organizers should use the Equity and Inclusion Office's Accessible and Inclusive Event Planning guide when planning an event.

COVID-19 Safety Information:

What is the status of events? (COVID-19 and UBC's Response)

As public health restrictions related to gatherings and events are lifted through BC’s Restart Plan, planners are encouraged to review the Public Health Order on Gatherings and Events to understand the specific details. PHO order — Gatherings and Events

  • At this time, we do not allow bookings to go past 9pm. Booking times can be flexible, all set up and tear down must be completed within the hours of booking.
  • Check to see if your desired date is available! Updated May 2023

    You will have access to our Events Field, Orchard and Poplar Grove areas. The Yurt is available to book as an additional space, subject to availability. We generally do not book separate events in the Events Field & Orchard and Poplar Grove spaces in the same day.

      Unavailable dates:

    • Friday July 7
    • Saturday July 8
    • Thursday July 13
    • Thursday July 20
    • Thursday July 21
    • Thursday July 22
    • Saturday July 29
    • Thursday August 3
    • Friday August 11
    • Saturday August 12
    • Sunday August 13
    • Sunday August 27
    • Review our Booking Guidelines . This document provides important information about our site rules and procedures.
    • Submit a Venue Request Form
    • Come visit us! Our UBC Farm events liaison will contact you to arrange a site visit to ensure you are fully aware of the site's conditions.
    • A 25% confirmation deposit is required to secure the booking date. Dates may be held without a deposit for up to 1 week, upon request. We will attempt to reach you if another party shows interest. Once notified, 48 hours will be given to secure the booking by submitting a deposit, otherwise, your date will be made available to other renters.
    • When your date is confirmed, we will issue you a formal quote and paperwork. Please note - all event details, including safety plans, must be received a minimum of 15 days in advance. 30+ days is required for all events serving alcohol. All event contracts must be processed by UBC Legal, UBC Campus and Community Planning, UBC RCMP, and UBC Fire Dept. for approval.
    • Bring your Farm vision to life! Check our Guidelines for preferred vendors, photos of past events, and other details to ensure a successfully planned UBC Farm event.

    Space Use Contracts and Discounts:

    • UBC groups: For UBC groups (e.g. faculties, departments, courses) paying for their bookings via JV, a 20% discount and no-GST is applied to your booking total. We will determine if a proposed event is suitable and provide permission for use - a contract is not usually required for UBC groups.
    • Private rentals: Paperwork required for event rentals: 1. License Agreement Contract, 2. Safety and Emergency Response Plan (SERP), 3. Special Event Permit (for alcohol), 4. COVID-19 Safety Plan, 5. Appendix A - UBC Farm COVID-19 Booking Client Agreement, 6. Appendix B- UBC Farm COVID-19 Guest Agreement. The Site and Events Coordinator will work with you to complete these agreements. Paperwork may need to be submitted up to 30 days before your event date. Please note that your total rental fee must be confirmed for the License Agreement Contract to be completed; it is ideal to determine your dates and times for your booking as soon as possible to avoid delaying this process and losing your preferred date.
    • UBC individuals, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni receive a 10% discount on rental rates.
    • Non-profit groups and low-income organizations are encouraged to contact us for discounts on bookings, assessed case-by-case.

    Custom Workshops

    Design your own group workshop

    We are not offering custom workshops this season. If you would like to host a workshop, please book one of our venue spaces.

    Birthday Parties

    Hold your child's birthday party at the UBC Farm

    We are not able to offer birthday party bookings this season. If you would like to host a workshop, please book one of our venue spaces.