Just don’t wait too long to look (and book). These holiday-light displays sell out fast.
Winter’s cold, dark nights are when botanical gardens sparkle—quite literally, through seasonal light shows beginning in late November and stretching through late December or early January. More elaborate than wrapping strung lights around towering trees, and more immersive than a drive-through tour, these shows create immersive lightscapes.
Don a warm sweater and pack a hat and gloves—in other words, bundle up—for a brisk walk post-sunset through glowing arches, lit tunnels, and illuminated plant life in a new twist on outdoor gardens this holiday season. From tropical foliage in Naples, Florida, to New York City’s The Bronx, here are 12 of the country’s best, with some folding in cups of hot cocoa, fire pits, or live music for further festive fun. Just be sure to book your reservation ahead of time as many sell out in advance. Many of the gardens’ gift shops rotate their merchandise to include holiday-themed items such as ornaments for the tree.