If you’re looking for a more unique way to celebrate your holiday season, you might check out Gardens Aglow. It’s Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s yearly holiday celebration. It features a magical outdoor experience that perfectly combines the beautiful elements of nature with the magic of Christmas lights and cheer. it takes a creative twist on the holiday season, embracing the vibe of cozy stories and childlike wonder. It really gives the season of Christmas a whole new aesthetic. Switching from classic decorating traditions to a new woodsy cottage and fairy knoll take. The Coastal Botanical Gardens brings Christmas in the form of a real-life Pixie Hollow-Esque world, and whether you’re someone looking for a new experience or someone who’s been a million times, there’s always something new to discover.

Some of the top things people love to see are the glistening renditions of animals in nature, such as the iconic frog and turtle that appear at the gardens every year.

There are also the beautiful flower and mushroom gardens that bring you to a place where animals come to life.

Combining that with the majestic trees lit up in magical lights and colors. The whole place feels like you walked into a magical fairytale land.

If that’s not enough, then on top of that, there’s also the history of the giant trolls formerly known as the “Guardians of the Seeds”. They’re unique sculptures made with recycled materials created by Denmark artist Thomas Dambo. They tell a creative folk story about the importance of protecting nature and are a unique way to engage people in seeing the world with renewed whimsy. Some of these giant nature guardians will also be lit up this season.  In the past, they’ve had both Roskva “The heaviest, hardest, and strongest of the trolls,” as well Lilja “ The youngest of the trolls,” decked out in mystical holiday lights. 

If childhood classics such as Alice in Wonderland, Tinkerbell, and The Chronicles of Narnia are what interest you, then you should definitely check out Gardens Aglow at The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens this year. The event hours are November 15th- January 3rd, Thursday-Sunday from 4-9 pm. You can reserve a time and buy your ticket on The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens website.