In place of traditional holiday light displays, the Houston Botanic Gardens will be filled with illuminated art installations through January 1st.
Houston — If you’ve only seen the Houston Botanical Gardens during the day, now’s your chance to check them out in Lightscape.
“I think Lightscapes is a really unique way to celebrate the holidays,” said Justin Lacy, Communications Director for The Garden.
The garden transforms as the sun sets.
“It’s very difficult to explain, but when people come out and see it with their own eyes, they just understand it,” Lacy said.
This is not your traditional holiday light display. Are you on holiday? yes. Do you have lights? yes. But the lights throughout the garden are art installations.
“You think you’re here for one purpose, but you can see the garden.
The experience begins by walking through the Global Collection Gardens.
“If you walk under a bunch of bananas and surrounded by bamboo, you’ll have a dramatic, dramatic light up there,” Lacey explained.
One of the first installations to be experienced beyond the Global Collection Gardens is a field of 2,000 LED bluebonnets with the music of George Strait.
“They sparkle and you’re walking in the middle of the road,” Lacy said. “The artists behind them are based in the UK and Australia, but they have something that resonates with Texans. You can hear it when people approach you.”
From there, trails lead you to several works.
“Each installation has its own playlist and music, so it’s also very atmospheric in nature,” Lacy said.
You can add a festive quality by picking s’mores near the end of the trail. This can be roasted over an open fire right next to the fire garden.
“The vast majority of people who buy tickets to Lightscape have never been to the gardens before, so it’s a great primer,” Lacy said. And make sure they come back during the day because it’s a very different experience during the day and at night.”
One more detail: Due to timed entry, we recommend purchasing your ticket and reserving parking in advance. You can do it here.