Rotary Botanical Gardens’ annual Holiday Light Show will dazzle visitors for 21 nights in 2017, beginning Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25. This seasonal escape into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights and family-friendly fun will continue December 8-10, 14-23, and 26-31. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and the last ticket will be sold at 8:30 p.m.; lights go dark at 9 p.m.
The 2017 show features 425,000 lights – 25,000 more than 2016. In addition, visitors will experience the magic of 100 individual displays, 2,000 luminaries, 300 dangling icicle light strands hanging from trees and 100 lit archways. Kids of all ages will enjoy peeking in the windows of the child-size Elf Workshop and Santa House located in the Gardens.
For those interested in capturing the perfect holiday photo, there will be Selfie Stops both inside and out, including a new photo opportunity indoors with an antique sleigh. Outdoors, visitors will find the ever-popular large Adirondack chairs, frames and photo displays.
On select evenings, visitors will enjoy visits with Santa and live entertainment. Themed nights return again this year in December with Holiday Sweater Night (Dec. 8), Wacky Winter Hat Night (Dec. 15), and Silly Scarf Night (Dec. 23). Santa will be available for photos and visits on December 14-17 and 21-23 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Please check Rotary Botanical Gardens’ calendar of events, http://www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/event/ for complete details.
The indoor “Polar Pit Stop” concession area will offer food from Steve’s Deli Dog House of Janesville, hot cocoa, hot apple cider and frosted sugar cookies from Rollin’ Pin Bakery. Holiday shopping will be available in the Cottage Garden Gallery.
A free bus shuttle will transport guests to and from the Gardens, starting at Dawson Field (920 Beloit Ave., Janesville). The shuttle runs throughout the duration of the show.
“In addition to being a beloved community event and tradition for many families, the Holiday Light Show serves as a major fundraiser for the Gardens and creates significant economic impact in Rock County,” said Becky Kronberg, Rotary Botanical Gardens Executive Director. “More than 26,000 people attended the 2016 show from not only local communities, but the entire upper Midwest region.
Tickets for the 2017 Holiday Light Show are on sale now and can be purchased online using this link: https://goo.gl/se8r68. Guests may also purchase tickets in advance at Rotary Botanical Gardens or when they arrive day-of the event. Tickets purchased in advance may be used for any night of the 2017 Holiday Light Show. Admission is $5 (age 2 and up).
