The Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual light exhibit, Garden Glow, is now open through January 1, 2016 from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. with the last entry at 9 p.m. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Ticket prices vary by date, and range from $3 to $18. Again this year, there is a special “Dine and Glow” ticket which includes Glow admission as well as menu items in Sassafrass, the Garden’s café. Visit www.mobot.org/glow for more information and to order tickets. New this year, Santa will visit Garden Glow on Monday and Tuesday nights through December 13.
Installations will adorn the Garden’s most iconic locations including the Climatron®, Kaeser Memorial Maze, the Central Axis, Tower Grove House, Shoenberg Fountain and the Cleveland Gate House among others. Food and drinks will be available at a number of locations on the grounds including stations located on the Central Axis featuring fire pits for s’more-making. New this year, the “Blizzard Bar” will offer guests the chance to buy alcoholic and soft drinks at the beginning of the route. Special Glow and holiday gear will also be sold on the grounds and in the Garden Gate Shop. Please note, for the enjoyment of all guests, there are no tripods, monopods or selfie sticks allowed during Garden Glow evenings.
The Garden’s new gift cards can be used to purchase Garden Glow tickets, or for regular or special event tickets at the Missouri Botanical Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House or Shaw Nature Reserve. Gift cards can be used at all three locations and online through our website for tickets, memberships, classes, dining or shopping. They are now available for purchase at the Garden, Butterfly House and online.
In addition to Garden Glow, the Missouri Botanical Garden will offer a variety of other exhibits and events this holiday season. Stop by the holiday floral and train show, Gardenland Express to see G-scale model trains wander through a floral wonderland of more than 500 colorful poinsettias and other traditional plants. Experience this seasonal favorite on display through January 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (closed December 25).
Show admission is $5 during daytime hours, and $2 during Garden Glow Hours with a Garden Glow ticket. Free for Garden members and children ages 2 and under. All prices are in addition to regular Garden admission.
Enjoy Saturday with Santa: Christmas Carols in the Garden on Saturday, December 10 from 12 to 4 p.m. Listen to traditional and secular holiday carols from local schools and choirs inside the upper level of Ridgway Center and roaming the Garden outdoors. Cider, cookies and cocoa available will be available for purchase.
Experience the traditional Jewish holiday celebration of Chanukah: Festival of Lights on Sunday, December 18 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Join us Wednesday, December 28 from 12 to 3 p.m. for the contemporary African-American holiday of Kwanzaa: Festival of the First Fruits.
The Holiday Wreath Auction will be on display November 17 through Sunday, January 1, and features creations by the region’s most talented floral designers, decking the walls of the Ridgway Visitor Center. Designs range from traditional to whimsical and are sold by silent auction bidding with proceeds benefiting the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Experience a Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House, the 19th century country home of Garden founder Henry Shaw. Tower Grove House will be open nightly during Garden Glow hours. www.mobot.org.