Gardens aglow 2024

See the Gardens in a Whole New Light: Nov. 18 through Dec. 31. At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, planning is underway for the ninth annual Gardens Aglow. Consistently ranked in USA TODAY’s 10 Best poll for top five holiday light shows in the country, this year’s seasonal celebration will feature new walking routes and paths to explore, as well as some new vistas and old friends (hello, Wade the Moose!).

With more than 750,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens, the Gardens is amplifying the brightest light display in Maine.

Guests will experience illuminated trails, nature-inspired sculptures, themed areas, and swaths of light and undulating effects, all conspiring to create an immersive experience.

While there will be plenty of surprises in this year’s show, Horticulturist and Gardens Aglow Program Manager Brent McHale did share a few details.

“We’re planning an ocean scene on the Great Lawn that will feature a lighthouse and a boat, and we’re hoping to include two trolls this year instead of one,” he says, referring to Thomas Dambo’s reclaimed and recycled

light booth

booth lightbox