The garden aglow

The Green Bay Botanical Garden kicked off its 29th annual Garden of Lights, presented by Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, this week with Girl Scout Troop #4135 from Ashwaubenon flipping the switch, officially lighting up the garden’s iconic 50-foot Christmas tree.

In addition to the 50-foot tree, this year’s Garden of Lights will include returning fan-favorite displays along with new elements for attendees to enjoy as they kick off their holiday season.

“When the Garden of Lights opens, seeing all of the smiles on the children and families’ faces — because this is a really big kickoff for a lot of families in our community — that just brings such joy to my heart,” said Green Bay Botanical Garden President and CEO Laure Nelson.

Returning elements include Butterfly Haven, glowing butterflies, chrysalises and caterpillars in a glistening butterfly house; Magical Marigolds, colors glow when attendees touch a flower; Twinkling Cove, a secret hollow of blue lights; Glowing Orbs, drops of rain splashing and shimmering new the dwarf conifers; Fountain of Lights, “water” dancing to sounds of the season; Tree of Lights, a towering tree of eye-catching colors; Caterpillar Glow, a 60-foot caterpillar tunnel; Seasons in Bloom, a 60-foot oak tree transforming through the seasons; Pond of Wonder, a peek into the underside of aquatic life in Wisconsin ponds; Petal Path, interactive petals showing all the different colors of nature; Petals and Pollinators, pollinators and flowers sparkling under the night sky; Lake of Lights, a spotlight show set to music on the pond; and 40+ immersive nature-themed displays.

There will also be two new exhibits coming to the Garden of Lights this year.

Nelson said that by coming to the Garden of Lights, attendees are doing more than just celebrating the holidays.

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Laura Nelson, president and CEO of the Green Bay Botanical Garden. “We’re a not-for-profit and this helps us with our mission year round to bring youth programs in the summer and to buy our beautiful bulbs and plants.”

Learn more about this year’s Garden of Lights and purchase tickets at gbbg.org.