If you’re the kind of person who enjoys seasonal decor, you’ll find plenty to like at Holiday Lights in the Gardens at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo.
The gardens — home year-round to an interesting array of plants and trees — decks out with 750,000 holiday lights and a huge array of seasonal decorations during the event.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
The display features such things as lighted lollipops, giant snowflakes, ornaments and snowmen, too. There’s also a choo-choo train, gingerbread men and a gingerbread house, as well.
Plenty of the lighted decorations pay homage to Florida’s natural life, including a turtle, a gator, hummingbirds, flamingoes and butterflies.
The lighted figures are placed throughout the garden, adding color and complementing the garden’s natural beauty. For instance, a group of illuminated flamingoes appears to be prowling under some drooping angel trumpets.
The event is the largest fundraiser for the gardens and depends on the help of about 450 volunteers, as well as donations to make the event a success.
Visitors who want their kids to have a chance to tell Santa what they would like will have until Dec. 23.
But, the event continues nightly, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., until Dec. 31.
An up-to-date schedule of nightly, family friendly entertainment can be found on the Florida Botanical Gardens’ website at FLBG.org, or by calling the Holiday Lights hotline at (727) 582-5800.
If You Go
What: Holiday Lights in the Gardens
Where: Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo
When: Nightly through Dec. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
How much: $4 donation suggested per person, for those 13 and older. Parking is free.
For more information, go to FLBG.org.
