75,000 lights to enjoy this holiday season in Springfield botanical gardens

If you’re looking for something fun and festive to do for just $5, the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Gardens in Springfield, Mo. has you covered.

With 75,000 sparkling lights across the entire stroll garden for guests to enjoy, it’s easy to see why the Gardens Aglow lights display will be an excellent option for people of all ages to enjoy this holiday season. 

The event will run Thursdays through Saturdays, beginning November 29th and concluding on December 28th. Hours of admission begin at 5 p.m. and the gardens close at 8:30 p.m. every night. The last guest will be admitted at 8 p.m. every night. 

The admission fees are only $5 per person, but children 12 and under are free, making the event great for families. Guests can feel free to bring along their pets, but standard park rules will still be enforced regarding pets in the gardens. 

The event page also states that “members of Friends of the Garden and Springfield Sister Cities Association receive free entry by showing their membership card at the gate,” as these organizations contributed to Gardens Aglow.

The proceeds of admission will go directly towards efforts to maintain, enhance and further benefit the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Gardens, so that events like Gardens Aglow can continue in the future. 

To find and enjoy Gardens Aglow, guests should navigate to the Japanese Stroll Garden located within the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., in Springfield, Mo. Parking will be managed by Park Board staff to ensure everyone gets a spot. Since the gardens have paved paths, this event is wheelchair-accessible.

For Drury students like Hillary Talty, spotting Christmas lights in the community is a part of family tradition. 

“Since I was young, I have always enjoyed looking at Christmas lights–they are always fun. When I was younger, my parents would drive around the surrounding neighborhoods and we would look at the display,” remembered Talty.

While some students may also choose to view neighborhood displays, Gardens Aglow is a great way to stroll through a display outdoors instead of being in a vehicle. With thousands of lights and displays to enjoy, there is sure to be something for everyone this holiday season.

The event is also open to volunteers, who can sign up on the Friends of the Garden website under the ‘Volunteer’ tab.

For more information, contact Friends of the Garden at (417) 874-2952 or visit the Facebook event page at “Gardens Aglow 2019.”

Article written by Olive Thompson.