Every year thousands of people gather to walk the paths of Brookgreen Gardens, celebrating the holidays and taking in the extraordinary scenery. Illuminated under thousands of hand-lit and string lights, these gardens become a beautiful and festive place to enjoy the holiday season.
A Night of a Thousand Candles begins November 28 and takes place upon various nights until the last day, January 4. The event only takes place on select evenings beginning at 4p.m. and going until 9 p.m. The gates close a half an hour before the event comes to an end. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For members, adults pay $35 and children between the ages 4-12 is $15. For those who are not members, it costs $40 dollars for adults and $20 for those who are 4-12 years old. For an extra fee on top of the original ticket price, one can purchase the Sparkle and Fun Package! This includes a glass of wine or cider, depending upon the age of the guest, and a pair of holographic glasses to make the lights look even more festive! The exact upcharge is not exactly specified.
Brody Forsee, a sophomore at Carolina Forest High School, shared, “I have gone to A Night of a Thousand Candles before. My favorite part was seeing all of the candles lit up.”
During the event, live holiday music is played, and guests are able to take in over 2,700 hand-lit candles decorating the gardens. Lighted sculptures and different exhibits will be displayed upon the paths as well. There is also a tree lighting ceremony that takes place at 6p.m. It is lit in the Arboretum and is a popular highlight of the event. Don’t miss the festive Holiday Market, either! Inside of the Noble Gallery a visitor can find handcrafted art, perfect for a gift this Christmas season and other unique holiday items!
Vivian Rawley, a junior, said, “My favorite event was the Oak Allee. The amount of lights was so impressive and gorgeous to see in person. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many lights in one place before!”
The Oak Allee is a space where massive oak trees are adorned with Spanish moss and festive lights! Creating a canopy, this creates a bright and sparkly space as you walk through the path!
While you’re there, lowcountry cuisine from Campbell Catering will be available in the Leonard Pavilion to provide food and drinks. Food trucks and beverage stations featuring seasonal items and refreshments will be provided for purchase as well. Festive drinks such as hot chocolate and cider will be available. Make sure to grab something to enjoy while walking through the beautiful scenery!
“I definitely think that the event is worth attending. It is such a unique experience and anyone who loves nature and lights would surely enjoy it. The art sculptures all around the garden are a beautiful feature to see, too,” shared Rawley.
Take in thousands of lights and enjoy festive music as you celebrate the holiday season at Brookgreen Gardens, A Night of a Thousand Candles!
Photo Credit: Kendall Reynolds
