Questions?
Contact us at info@dsbg.org
or (704) 825-4490
Join us for Holidays at the Garden from Friday, November 24 through Saturday, December 23!
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 5 – 10 pm – Closed on Mondays
Prepare to be mesmerized by the twinkle of a thousand lights, the shimmer of dancing fountains, and the festive holiday spirit that blankets every corner. Gather your loved ones and bask in the cozy glow of an outdoor fire, where the joy of making s’mores becomes a timeless tradition for the young and young at heart. Indulge your taste buds with delectable delights from our food trucks, savor a warm beverage that will chase away the chill, and explore The Garden Store for unique gifts that will make this season truly unforgettable. And don’t forget to capture the magic – strike a pose in front of the Orchid Tree, a radiant centerpiece that embodies the spirit of the season just outside the majestic Great Hall. Your winter wonderland adventure awaits at the Garden!
Holidays at the Garden is sponsored by:
Meet Lori R. Galster – Garden Exhibits Manager
Lori Galster is the Garden Exhibits Manager at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. From the moment Lori visited the Garden with her family in 2018 after relocating from Texas, she wanted to be a part of the garden’s vision to create an inspiring, unforgettable garden experience that instills a love of nature and its beauty.
Lori’s role at the Garden has grown from a volunteer in 2019, to seasonal holiday lighting technician, to full-time horticulture employee last year, to her current role. You can usually find her in the garden, planting, weeding, watering, installing Holiday Lights or planning the next Horticulture event. During Holiday Lights, you can find her keeping the fire pits going so families can roast s’mores or making batches of hot chocolate for guests to enjoy.
Lori loves hearing any and all suggestions about exhibits from visitors and members. You can email her at galster@DSBG.org. Lori looks forward to seeing you at the Garden!
Holidays at the Garden FAQ
Q: What is Holidays at the Garden?
Holidays at the Garden is a holiday tradition that takes place every year during the holiday season at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Welcoming guests from near and far to explore the bright lights and enjoy the Garden bringing the magic of the holidays to life.
Q: Do I walk or drive at Holidays at the Garden?
Holidays at the Garden is a walking tour of the light display throughout Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
Q: When is Holidays at the Garden?
Holidays at the Garden official start is Friday, November 24 at 5 p.m. It runs Tuesday-Sunday, closed on Mondays until Saturday, December 23. Some special dates to remember:
- Member Preview Night: Friday, November 17 – Members enjoy a free preview of Holiday at the Garden before our official opening date.
- Jazz at the Garden Holiday! : Saturday, November 18 – Come enjoy a concert by flautist, Kim Scott, and take a stroll around the lights after
- Bright Lights 5k Run: Wednesday, November 22 – Break out those running shoes and get your exercise in before Turkey Day!
- Bright Lights Fun Run: Wednesday, November 22 – Also welcome to walkers out to enjoy the first sight of our Holiday lights!
- Santa Paws: Tuesday, November 28 – Bring those four-legged family members to the Garden to enjoy the lights and maybe even visit with Santa!
- Merry Krampus: Tuesday, December 5 – Celebrate Krampusnacht at the Garden. Enjoy the parade through the Garden.
- Adult Date Nights: Wednesday, December 6 and Tuesday, December 19 – Childfree nights at the Garden.
- Evergreen Membership VIP Night: Tuesday, December 12 – Evergreen Members enjoy a private, tented Holiday Soiree in our Garden.
We are so glad you asked! Holidays at the Garden would not exist without the support of the community. Email volunteer@dsbg.org to learn about volunteer opportunities during the Garden’s holiday season and all year long.
Q: How do I get my tickets?
Tickets for Holidays at the Garden are available to pre-purchase online or at the Garden’s front desk, either in person or by phone, during regular business hours.
Q: What is your ticket refund and exchange policy?
All tickets to Holidays at the Garden are non-refundable. Tickets may be rescheduled to a different date for a transaction fee of $5 per ticket. All unused tickets are considered a donation to the Garden in support of our mission. To reschedule your ticket(s), please email reservations@dsbg.org. We ask that you kindly allow two business days for a response to ticket inquiries, including rescheduling requests.
Q: Can I buy my Holidays at the Garden ticket when I arrive?
With limited availability at the door, the only way to guarantee your admission to Holidays at the Garden is to pre-purchase your timed ticket in advance. Without a pre-purchased ticket, you may need to wait for availability. If tickets are entirely sold out when you arrive, you may be asked to return on a different night. We don’t want anyone to be disappointed, so we strongly encourage you to pre-purchase your tickets before arriving!
Q: What happens if Holidays at the Garden tickets are sold out on a specific date/time?
Each date and entry time has a limited capacity. When pre-purchasing your tickets, you will not be able to select a date/time that is sold out. If you do not pre-purchase your tickets and tickets are entirely sold out when you arrive, you may be asked to return on a different night. We don’t want anyone to be disappointed, so we strongly encourage you to pre-purchase your tickets before arriving!
Q: Do I have to arrive at the designated arrival time on my pre-purchased ticket?
Yes, we ask that you arrive as close as possible to your designated arrival time.
Q: How much do tickets cost for Holidays at the Garden?
Adult Tickets- $25+tax, Senior 60+Tickets – $23+tax, Children Age 2-12 Tickets – $15+tax, Children under 2 – FREE
Q: What happens if there is inclement weather during Holidays at the Garden?
Holidays at the Garden are held in the rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, Holidays at the Garden will be canceled, and we will announce the cancellation by 3 p.m. on our website and social media channels. In this situation, all pre-purchased tickets can be rescheduled to another date or refunded upon request. You may also donate your ticket fee to the Garden. To request a refund, please email plosky@dsbg.org within five business days of the canceled date. We ask that you kindly allow two business days for a response to ticket inquiries, including refund requests.
Q: Where is Holidays at the Garden?
Holidays at the Garden takes place inside the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, located at 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont NC 28012
Q: How long is the Holidays at the Garden experience?
Holidays at the Garden admissions begin at 5 p.m. There are two blocks of entry time, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.The last admission is at 9 p.m. We ask all our Holidays at the Garden guests to enjoy the experience at your own pace until 10:00 p.m.
Q: Are the paths accessible for strollers/wagons/wheelchairs?
Yes, our paths are a mix of paved roads, pressed gravel, and brick hardscape. They are wide enough to accommodate strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs. Please note, that during Holidays at the Garden, paths can be dark in some areas, so we recommend bringing a flashlight to help you navigate wheels along the path.
Q: Are you offering rentable wheelchairs?
Wheelchairs will not be available for Holidays at the Garden. To help everyone in your party have an enjoyable and comfortable experience, we encourage you to bring your own strollers, wagons, and/or wheelchairs as needed.
Q: Will there be concessions during Holidays at the Garden?
Yes, we will have food trucks located at the Levine Pavilion. Stop by the bars at the Levine Pavilion, the Prairie Shed and the Beer Garden to grab a hot drink, beer or wine and grab a s’mores kit to roast over the fire. As a reminder, outside alcohol is prohibited at the Garden.
Q: Will Santa be there during Holidays at the Garden?
Santa will be at the Garden at select times throughout the season. Check our website and social media for any updates on Santa visiting the Garden.
Q: Will the Garden Store be open during Holidays at the Garden?
Yes, it will! The Garden Store will be open until 10 p.m. during Holidays at the Garden. Stop by to see our curated selection of seasonal decorations and unique holiday gifts.
Q: Can I step off the path to take a photo with the lights?
For your safety, please remain on the lit paths. But feel free to take photos to your heart’s content with your phone camera, tablet, or point-an-shoot camera! Also look for photo opportunities throughout the Garden. We love seeing your photos and videos, so please share with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging us with #DSBGHolidaysattheGarden. Those looking to take professional photos of our lights must follow our Photography Policy.
Q: Can I bring my dog to Holidays at the Garden?
Dogs are welcome on our designated Santa Paws Night (Tuesday, November 28). Tickets for dogs are $5 per pooch. Some of our four-legged guests even come dressed for the occasion! And there is a rumor Santa might make a surprise visit and be available for pictures with the four-legged fur babies. Make sure to have your cellphone ready to snap that special moment.
Photos from Holidays Past:
