Holiday Lights in the Gardens: a Holiday Extravaganza

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The sandwich board on the sidewalk read “Holiday Lights in the Gardens” with dates and times. Beside the sign, a boardwalk split off from the sidewalk, an arbor over the entrance to the boardwalk topped by a lighted “Happy Holidays”. The boardwalk wandered through the wetlands that surround McKay Creek, white and blue snowflakes blinking from the railings.

The Florida Botanical Gardens is normally free with donation boxes at the gift shop and restrooms. During Holiday Lights in the Gardens, volunteers man a table on the bridge crossing McKay Creek (and at the other three entrances). A starburst sign read “$10 per person”. I swung my sling pack around when I reached the table. “Do you have change for a $20? Or I have $7.”

The young woman smiled. “I do, but you pay whatever you can.”

I stopped at the gazebo overlooking McKay Creek and photographed it as well as the dancing snowflakes on the bridge and boardwalk. On the far side of the bridge, a high school chorus sang Christmas songs, lighted palms and plants as far as the eye could see.

Need-to-Know

About Holiday Lights in the Garden

Holiday Lights in the Gardens is one of the best light shows in a botanical garden anywhere in Florida. It’s also the winter fundraiser for Florida Botanical Gardens, one of the major ways the park can expand the gardens, care for the plants spread across 150 acres, and continue providing one of the best free activities you’ll find in the Tampa Bay area.

More than 1 million lights cover the grounds though only the gardens east of McKay Creek and parts of the Discovery Garden are open at night. Musicians perform at various places around the grounds. Two concession stands sell hot cocoa, water, holiday cookies, and regular concession foods like burgers, hot dogs, and pretzels. Photo ops throughout the gardens also delight visitors – Adirondack chairs next to a Christmas tree beside McKay Creek, one of the those giant chairs that two or three people can sit in, a cut-out of poinsettias to frame your group of friends or family.

Though the various gardens are not decorated in specific themes, the decorations do tend to follow each garden’s regular theme. For instance, lighted woodpeckers peck at pine trees on the Woodland Walk; flamingos flamingle in the Tropical Garden; and lighted cacti share space with living cacti in the Cactus Garden.

The entire walk, including the various loops and spurs, is less than a mile. It’s entirely paved so is accessible to people with mobility challenges, wheelchairs, and strollers. It takes an hour or so to walk the whole thing, longer if you take a lot of photos like I do. And there are many, many places to sit and rest if you need or want to.

What to See at Holiday Lights in the Gardens

As I mentioned, each of the gardens is decorated with lighted trees, flower arrangements, and animated (and non-animated) lighted animals. Here’s a breakdown of some of the gardens.

The Wedding Garden

This was my favorite this year. It was simply magical with all of the white lights. In 2022, I didn’t spend much time in this garden. And in 2024 I didn’t bring my DSLR camera, using only my phone. I do wish I’d had my big camera! I guess that means I’ll have to go back.

Tropical Walk

The Tropical Walk is one of the original gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens and plays host to many different, colorful plants. During Holiday Lights in the Gardens, the palm trees are wrapped in lights and lighted animals line the walkways. This year, they’ve also put lights on the trees which fell during Hurricane Milton and have not been cleared out yet.

Woodland Walk

The Woodland Walk is a short boardwalk which winds through a more natural part of the Gardens showcasing what Florida’s hammocks and wetlands look like in nature. You’ll find many of the plants I point out on my hikes around Tampa and Florida- slash pines, palmettos, a grass prairie, American beauty berry, oaks.

During Holiday Lights in the Gardens, the boardwalk is lighted, and animated woodpeckers “peck” at the larger trees near the boardwalk. In the prairie, several 2-D Christmas trees light up in synchrony with music playing from a speaker at the end of the observation platform.

Other Fun Decorations at Holiday Lights in the Gardens

There are many other fun decorations in Florida Botanical Gardens during the holidays. My favorite is the collection of lighted dogs, cats, and other pets found near McKay Plaza.

There are also many beautiful decorations which are best seen during the day. So, I went back the following morning to capture a few of those. With the DSLR. I tell my friends I’m addicted to Florida Botanical Gardens; it’s one of my favorite places in the Tampa Bay area.

Wrapping It Up: Holiday Lights in the Gardens

Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens offers a magical way to celebrate the season, blending dazzling light displays with the natural beauty of the gardens. Whether you’re strolling through with family, friends, or on your own, this annual event is a must-see for anyone looking to embrace the festive spirit while enjoying Florida’s unique charm. Don’t forget to bring your camera—and your holiday cheer.

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