SPRINGFIELD, MO — Friends of the Garden, in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, presents the 4th Annual Gardens Aglow, a botanical-themed light festival in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, located at Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.

This event runs from 5-8:30 p.m. on select dates: Nov. 25-27; Dec. 2-4, 9-11, 16-23, 26, 30-31. On-site gate admission is $7/adult; $3/child ages 3-12; 2 and under free. Pre-purchased tickets are $5/adult; $2/child ages 3-12.  View full schedule and purchase advanced tickets at FriendsoftheGarden.org.

More than 175,000 festive lights accent the unique structures and landscaping of the 7.5-acre garden, highlighting the beauty of winter trees and plants. Light features include RGB lights, light tunnels, firecracker lights, framed installations, water feature lights, up lighting and string lights. Guests are invited cozy up to a fire pit to enjoy hot beverages and treats from local vendors, with live music on select evenings. The garden’s accessible pathway includes about a half-mile walking trail. Wheelchairs may be available by request, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Light features are made possible by the Friends of the Garden, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Hogan Land Title, Rosalie O’Reilly Wooten, Heavy Metal Christmas, Iris Society of the Ozarks, Springfield Herb Society, Ozarks Daylily Society, and Ozark Regional Lily Society. New frames this year were created by Bill Fullerton, Kodiak Trailers, and Keith Hatz, a member of the Park Operations crew. Special thanks to Simmons Bank for sponsoring the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and the Springfield Sister Cities Association.

A sneak-peek members-only night is offered Friday, Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m. for event and garden sponsors and members of Friends of the Garden and Springfield Sister Cities Association.

Each Gardens Aglow ticket helps support dozens of gardens, programs and environmental improvements throughout the Springfield Botanical Gardens. Join Friends of the Garden and watch our gardens grow — and glow!  Learn how to volunteer or become a member of Friends of Garden at https://www.friendsofthegarden.org/. Members of Friends of the Garden enjoy free admission to Gardens Aglow all season long, plus more benefits.   

For more information on how to volunteer or become a member, please visit https://www.friendsofthegarden.org/, or call 417-874-2952, or e-mail at friendsofthegarden@springfieldmo.gov.

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 media inquiries only, contact Heather Parker, Executive Director of Friends of the Garden, at 417-874-2952, or Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510 (mobile). 

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