New routes, re-imagined designs offer whimsy and excitement for new and returning guests

Mon, 08/14/2023 - 04:33 pm

Katie Hey

Garden’s Aglow returns Saturday, Nov. 18 for 2023! Courtesy of CMBG

See the Gardens in a Whole New Light: Nov. 18 through Dec. 31. At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, planning is underway for the ninth annual Gardens Aglow. Consistently ranked in USA TODAY’s 10 Best poll for top five holiday light shows in the country, this year’s seasonal celebration will feature new walking routes and paths to explore, as well as some new vistas and old friends (hello, Wade the Moose!).

With more than 750,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens, the Gardens is amplifying the brightest light display in Maine. Guests will experience illuminated trails, nature-inspired sculptures, themed areas, and swaths of light and undulating effects, all conspiring to create an immersive experience.

While there will be plenty of surprises in this year’s show, Horticulturist and Gardens Aglow Program Manager Brent McHale did share a few details. “We’re planning an ocean scene on the Great Lawn that will feature a lighthouse and a boat, and we’re hoping to include two trolls this year instead of one,” he says, referring to Thomas Dambo’s reclaimed and recycled wooden sculptures installed at the Gardens in 2021.

Tickets go on sale Sept. 25, with a special presale for Gardens’ members beginning Sept. 18. Those interested in the presale are encouraged to become members now to receive early access to the most popular dates, a 20% savings on the standard rate, and up to four additional member-rate tickets for guests. Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, $10 for children 3-17 (children under 3 are free), and $48/family of four. Member tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children. For more information, visit GardensAglow.org. Gardens Aglow will run Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 18-Dec. 31, 4-9 p.m. The event is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

There is nothing quite like winter in Maine, and Gardens Aglow, together with Boothbay Lights, a celebration of signature seasonal events in Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, has become a firm tradition in Maine’s seasonal calendar. With six weeks of festivities throughout the peninsula, there’s always something happening. For a complete calendar of regional offerings, events, dining, and lodging options, visit www.boothbaylights.com.

At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. The nationally recognized public garden features two miles of hiking trails, 19 acres of ornamental and themed gardens, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more. The mission of the Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education, and research. To learn more, visit MaineGardens.org.