On the evening before opening day, our family was hosted by the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston for a preview of the 2024 Night Lights exhibit. It was our first time visiting the Night Lights and we had a beautiful evening - even in the rain!
The author was hosted by New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill to view the exhibit.
This article, thoughts and opinions expressed are their own.
1. Dress for the outdoors. It rained the night we were there - which made everything sparkle! Be prepared with boots (rain or snow); a jacket with a hood, or even an umbrella. Don't let the cold, rain or snow deter you from visiting!
2. Visit the Farmer and The Fork Cafe when you arrive. Get a hot chocolate or a hot cider (or adult beverage if you prefer!). There's just something special about walking around outside with a hot seasonal beverage. The kids tried hot apple cider for the first time and enjoyed it! Open nightly until 9:30 p.m. View the menu here.
3. Look for the Gnomes! Through November 30, it's Gnomevember. There are Gnomes throughout the display and our kids loved finding them and reading about each one. This will definitely make you slow down and enjoy the moment.
4. Find the photo ops - and create your own! There were plenty of places to stop and take photos - our kids chose trees decorated in their favorite colors, standing next to a gnome and even stopping for the beautiful wings (which is fun for adults too, see the photo!). Take more than one photo as the lights change and depending on the angle what you see may not be what you get! (This would be a fun opportunity for me to learn more about my camera - on another visit, without the kids!).
5. Visit Night Lights on a theme night! Check out these fun themes and make your visit a little extra:
December 9: Neon Night
Embrace our vibrant and colorful theme and come dressed in bold hues! Will you go with electric blue, neon green, or another color?
December 10: Holiday Pajama Night
Get cozy in your holiday pajamas and create fun memories when your group or family comes dressed to match.
December 16: Festive Accessories
Break out those glow necklaces, festive hats, or sparkling accessories and light up the night even more.
December 17: Ugly Sweater Night
Time to take out those outrageously ugly sweaters and spread the holiday cheer!
January 2: Whiteout Night
Wear white amidst the color cascade and see how the lights around you come alive like never before!
Learn more:
Open November 23, 2024 through January 5, 2025 | 4–10PM Daily
Peak times and weekends book quickly, so plan ahead!
Purchase Tickets - Tickets range from $15 - $27 depending on membership; children under 3 are free and require a ticket.
Our Night Lights support hotline is happy to assist you at 508-869-6745.
For parties of 20 or more arriving by bus, group rates are available. Click here to learn more.
Additional tips for families and visitors:
The majority of this event takes place in our outdoor lighted gardens which are accessible in clear weather but may be challenging in rainy, icy, or snowy weather. Outdoor paths are made from concrete, brick, bluestone, asphalt, or wooden decking. The indoor portion of this event is fully accessible.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. You are welcome to bring your own mobility scooter.
All paths for Night Lights are accessible by stroller. Small strollers with large wheels work best on our paths. Large strollers and wagons are not recommended. Scooters and other wheeled devices are not permitted.
Because this is a rain, star shine, or snow event, we advise caution when navigating potentially icy outdoor spaces. All visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be dressed for the elements.
Night Lights takes place in all weather conditions. However, if weather presents a risk to safety, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill may decide to cancel an evening. If so, you will be notified by email no later than 2pm on the day of your visit and a refund will be issued for your tickets.
View additional Frequently Asked Questions here.
