At Garden Glow, presented by Wells Fargo, guests can immerse themselves in the enchanting holiday lightshow as they walk through over 2 million lights in the transformed Missouri Botanical Garden.

For the past 11 years, the walkthrough lightshow has become a beloved tradition for families in St. Louis.

In 2024, Garden Glow brings back familiar favorites along with new exhibits and experiences for guests to enjoy.

What to Do at Garden Glow

Garden Glow is the Missouri Botanical Garden’s signature holiday event. Here, visitors can make lasting memories as they explore the expansive light display, get their photo taken with Santa or the Winter Sisters, enjoy tasty treats like hot cocoa and s’mores, and so much more.

Enjoy new Additions

The Garden has added several new exhibits for visitors to enjoy this year, including two new areas designed to connect visitors to the Garden’s mission to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life

Discover More: Our Magnificent Trees

The Lehmann Rose Garden has been transformed into the Grand Grove, featuring vibrantly glowing faux oak trees. These colorful trees highlight the Garden’s extensive living oak collection, which contains over 60 species of oak trees. 

A new addition to the Victorian District will be a glowing, golden meadow that beautifully mimics the prairie restoration work happening at Shaw Nature Reserve.   

The Garden will also be debuting a massive glowing snowflake – a perfect place for a family photo or surprise engagement. Guests can also plan for a photo under the new glowing arches that have been added to the beginning of the lightshow. 

Grab a sweet treat or holiday drink

While you enjoy the dazzling lights, warm up with hot cocoa, holiday cocktails and other sweet treats.

Garden Glow will have several concession stands placed throughout the walk, including the new Roasted and Toasted stand which will be selling freshly roasted nuts and spiked or regular apple cider.

Dippidy Donuts will also be selling their award winning, mini donuts at Linnean Plaza near the Visitor Center.

The Garden will also be offering Dine and Glow packages to enhance the Garden Glow experience, featuring a variety of delicious meals from the Garden’s Sassafras Restaurant.  

Explore the Holiday Flower and Train Show

The Holiday Flower and Train Show is perfect for lovers of model trains of all ages.

This charming display features G-Scale model trains traveling through a colorful display of blooming poinsettias and miniature landscapes, including new mini replicas of the Garden’s iconic Victorian District.

The show runs nightly 5–9 p.m. through January 1. The Holiday Flower and Train Show is also available to daytime visitors of the Garden 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and is included in admission. Trains are currently operating between 10 a.m.–2 p.m. daily and 5–9 p.m

Explore Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House

Tower Grove House is a notable location on the Garden Glow route with a mesmerizing, projected light show on the front of the Victorian home. The holiday magic extends to the interior of the building, welcoming guests to step back in time and enjoy. Victorian Christmas

Each year, plants popular during the Victorian era take center stage in the home as we share the roots of some of our favorite holiday plants. Capturing hearts around the world, figures like Santa come to life through literature during this time period.

Decorating trees and feasting on treats derived from plants are still family favorites, while sending cards to loved ones and singing carols brings holiday cheer to all. Garden clubs, staff, and volunteers take inspiration from these plants and traditions to inform displays that represent a Victorian trend.

Tower Grove House is open for evening admission 5:30–9:30pm.

Get your photo with santa or the winter sisters

Before he returns to the North Pole, Santa Claus will be stopping by Garden Glow. Families can visit with Santa and get their photo with him on Mondays and Tuesdays, November 18–December 10. 

Throughout the holiday season, children can also visit the Winter Sisters at the Artic Circle and get a photo with the pair. The Snow Queen and Snow Princess will be at Garden Glow every Thursday November 21–December 19 and will return for a final night in the new year on January 2.

Both character experiences are included with admission to Garden Glow.

Take home your own holiday wreath

The Holiday Wreath Auction hosted by the Garden’s Members Board features creations from some of St. Louis’ finest florists. Wreaths will be displayed in the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center through January 4.

Designs range from traditional to whimsical and are sold by silent auction bidding, with proceeds benefiting the Missouri Botanical Garden. Wreaths are available to take home through the silent auction, with bidding online all season long

How to Get Tickets to Garden Glow

Garden Glow is the Garden’s most popular event, and we highly suggest getting your tickets in advance, especially if you have a specific date or time in mind for your visit.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center. Admission rate vary by date and can range from $5–$24.

As a reminder, the Missouri Botanical Garden never sells tickets on third-party platforms, including social media.

Where to Park During Garden Glow

The Garden offers parking outside of the Visitor Center, including several EV charging stations. There is no charge for parking at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

The main parking lot outside the Jack C. Taylor Visitor will reach full capacity very quickly each night of Garden Glow. In the event that the parking lot is full, visitors can use the free parking at the overflow lots at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and Vandeventer. Shuttles will be running from this parking lot to the Visitor Center throughout the entire Garden Glow season.

As leaders in sustainability, we are also big fans of walking, biking and public transportation. We offer bike parking near the Visitor Center and are conveniently located near two Metro bus stops.

Thank you to our sponsors: (Exhibition) The H-J Family of Companies. (Signature Location) Ameren, Lelia J. and David N. Farr. (Special Venue) Amundsen Davis LLP, JiaMin and Michael Dierberg, Caleres, Graybar, Elizabeth Green, Kathy and David Hollo, Karen and Mike Stern. (Glow Supporters) Clayton Financial Group, Commerce Bank, Williams Patent Crusher & Pulverizer Co. Inc. 

Jessika Eidson | Public Information Officer