Selby Gardens’ Light Display Returns This December

The popular holiday light display at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens returns for its 16th year starting Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 for 18 select evenings. This year’s display will showcase more than two million lights set in holiday scenes throughout the 15-acre garden.

Lights in Bloom is recognized as a holiday tradition for residents of, and visitors to, Sarasota. The Gardens will be decked in a wonderland of lights Dec. 14 to 23, 26 to 30, 2019 and Jan. 1, 2, and 4, 2020. Beautifully lit rainforest butterflies, dragonflies, flowers and more will provide a magical holiday glow throughout the Garden. In addition to new lighted exhibits, Lights in Bloom favorites from prior years such as the Wishing Tree and Santa’s Toyland will be featured.

Planning, design, and implementation for the annual event began in the springtime and it takes several weeks to install the lights. More than 600 volunteer positions help guide the nearly 19,000 people who visit the Gardens throughout the display.

The nightly events also include family activities and games, as well as visits from Santa Claus through Dec. 23, 2019 before returning to the North Pole. Grilled foods, along with beer and wine, will be available for purchase, as well as festive holiday treats like cocoa and hot doughnuts.

Lights in Bloom admission for the general public is $25, members are $20. Children 5-12 are $7, and under 5 are free. Also offered is a “Selby Experience” pass for one night only on Dec. 21, 2019. The “Selby Experience” tickets are $150, $40 for 12 years and younger, and 0-3 are free. The ticket includes reserved parking, early admission, open bar, buffet, and holiday desserts. Tickets for Lights in Bloom and for the “Selby Experience” can be purchased here.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is the lead sponsor for Lights in Bloom, with additional sponsorships from Arietta, Senior Living Reimagined, Cumberland Advisors, Friendship Centers, Herald Tribune, Observer, Peachey’s Baking Company, Publix Charities, Sarasota County TDT, Willis Smith, and WUSF.