SPRINGFIELD, MO — Bring your family and friends to walk Gardens Aglow, a botanical-themed light festival in Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave. The third annual event runs 5-8:30 p.m. on Nov. 26-28; Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 22-23, 26, 29-31; and Jan. 1. Admission is $5/adult; $2/child ages 3-12; kids 2 and under free.  View full schedule at FriendsoftheGarden.org.

More than 150,000 festive lights accent the unique structures and landscaping of the Stroll Garden and capture the winter beauty of nature. Light features include RGB lights, light tunnels, firecracker lights, framed installations, water feature lights, up lighting, and string lights. Light features are made possible by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Friends of the Garden, Iris Society of the Ozarks, Springfield Area Herb Society, Ozarks Daylily Society, Ozarks Regional Lily Society, Hogan Land Title, and Rosalie O’Reilly Wooten with support from Heavy Metal Christmas. The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is currently being sponsored by Simmons Bank.  

Cozy up to a fire pit to enjoy hot beverages and treats from local vendors. Select evenings include live music and crafts (for a small fee.) The stroll garden accessible pathway includes about a half-mile trail.  Wheelchairs may be available upon request, first come, first served.

Help bring this exciting event to the community by volunteering or sponsoring. Learn more and sign up at FriendsoftheGarden.org.

Gardens Aglow is brought to you by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Friends of the Garden and Springfield Sister Cities Association. 

Members of Friends of the Garden and Springfield Sister Cities Association receive free entry by showing their season pass (membership card). Season passes are available at the event or at FriendsoftheGarden.org or PeaceThroughPeople.org, respectively.

Formed in 1985, the 7.5-acre Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is the oldest attraction at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. It is an authentic representation of traditional Japanese landscape design featuring a large koi pond, moon bridge, meditation garden and tea house. The Stroll Garden is maintained through partnership with Friends of the Garden, Springfield Sister Cities Association and Springfield’s sister city of Isesaki, Japan and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. 

Friends of the Garden inspires the discovery, understanding and appreciation of nature by creating and maintaining gardens at the Springfield Botanical Gardens and by supporting the mission of the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center and Park Board. 

For more information about this event, please visit FriendsoftheGarden.org or the Gardens Aglow Facebook event. You may also call 417-874-2592 or e-mail info@friendsofthegarden.org.

For media inquiries, contact contact Heather Parker, Executive Director of Friends of the Garden at 417-874-2952.

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