CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 11/21/17

December Nights and Holiday Lights returns with more than a million lights

By Norman Winter

Once again, the beauty of the holidays is captured in more than 1 million lights across the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (CGBG) at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia. The light show, called “Jewel in a Savannah Christmas,” runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on select evenings from Friday, Nov. 24 through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

The light show will be held Wednesday through Friday nights until Dec. 6. From Dec. 6 through Dec. 24, the show will be open nightly.

Proceeds from December Nights and Holiday Lights fund development and maintenance projects at the Coastal Botanical Gardens. Last year, an estimated 26,000 visitors came from Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

The leisurely, self-guided walking tour, best enjoyed on rain-free evenings, runs through the various illuminated gardens. Just viewing the Formal and White Garden is worth the nominal price for admission.

In addition to the outdoor light displays, Santa Claus will visit the gardens every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Storytime with Mrs. Claus will be held on Dec. 16, 19 and 21, and she’ll make numerous surprise visits.

Several nights of free entertainment are scheduled at the Coastal Botanical Gardens, too. The Armstrong Youth Orchestra, always a crowd favorite, will perform Dec. 14, 15, 16 and 17. Greg and Kathy Smith, a pianist and cellist duo, are scheduled to perform Dec. 18 and 21.

The Coastal Rail Buffs return with their magnificent model railroad display under the cathedral ceiling in the CGBG Conference Center. Visit Mrs. Claus' kitchen in the Annex for holiday treats and beverages sponsored by a variety of local non-profit groups, including Georgia 4-H youth.

Here's a quick highlight of features at this year's December Nights and Holiday Lights:

  • Model trains on an elevated track among sparkling lights and trees.
  • Santa Claus every Thursday, Friday and Saturday by the big Christmas tree in the Great Hall of the Andrews Visitor and Education Center.
  • Live music performances on select evenings in the Great Hall.
  • Baked goods and beverages for sale in Mrs. Claus' Kitchen.
  • Food from Savannah’s premier food trucks courtesy the Savannah Food Truck Association.
  • Keepsakes, botanical jewelry, T-shirts, garden books and other items to round out holiday shopping will be for sale in the CGBG Gift Shop.
  • The White Garden glistening with snowflakes, stars, reindeer and white cherry-blossom trees.
  • The Formal Garden aglow with thousands of white and gold lights.
  • A 90-foot-long colorful light tunnel of arches.
  • Colorful grape vines and orange trees in the Trustees Garden.
  • Multicolored trees with millions of glittering LED sparkles along the 300-foot-long Crapemyrtle Alley.
  • The Mediterranean Garden illuminated in blue lights below white, flowering trees.
  • Herds of twinkling reindeer in the historic timber bamboo grove.
  • Starbursts around animated angels at the Bamboo Museum Patio.
  • Light displays at the Orchid House, South Lawn, Accessible Garden, Rose Garden, Lord's holly tree and Cottage Garden.

Tickets can be purchased on-site in the lobby of the CGBG Visitor Center. Ticket sales end at 8:30 each evening and cost $10 for those 13 and older and $5 for children aged three to 12. Admission is free for children two and under.

Every Thursday is designated “Family Night” and admission is reduced to $5 for everyone. Children two and under remain free.

For more information about the annual light show at the Coastal Botanical Gardens, call (912) 921-5460. Watch the CGBG Facebook page for the latest scheduling information.

Norman Winter is the director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia.

Authors:
Norman Winter
Experts/Sources:
Norman Winter
The Rose Garden, and all the other gardens, at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia, are adorned with lights for the holiday season. The light show, called “Jewel in a Savannah Christmas,” runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on select evenings from Friday, Nov. 24 through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
Holidaydinner CAES News
Holiday food safety 101: Tips to avoid foodborne illness from UGA Extension experts 12/04/24 Jordan Powers
The holiday table: For many, it is the highlight of the season, packed with roast turkey, savory stuffing, homemade pies and perhaps a cold glass of eggnog. It is also a place where bacteria can linger, turning a holiday gathering into a very different type of party. As holiday menus are planned and grocery lists assembled, Carla Schwan, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension food safety specialist, urges home cooks to remember one key rule. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time to spend more of the holiday with guests, taking time ahead of the day to set expectations can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. CAES News
Need help managing stress this holiday season? Try these 3 tips from UGA Extension 11/21/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Much like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time allows you to spend more of the holiday with guests, setting expectations ahead of the celebration can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science.
The caterpillar relies on its appearance to deter attackers and, when disturbed, it aggressively twists and writhes on the ground to defend itself. In its final, less terrifying form, the regal moth displays autumnal-colored wings in shades of deep orange with gray stripes and yellow spots. (Art by Jay B. Bauer) CAES News
Unveiling the fearsome hickory horned devil 10/25/23 Emily Cabrera
With a name that conjures the spookiest Halloween imagery, the hickory horned devil (Citheronia regalis) caterpillar is a marvel of nature's creativity, boasting a fearsome-looking appearance that is both off-putting and intriguing. This time of year, unsuspecting passersby may have the rare chance to spot this spectacular caterpillar as it drops from trees.
December Nights and Holiday Lights will take place at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah on select nights from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. CAES News
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens holiday lights exhibit returns Nov. 25 11/24/22 Amanda Budd
The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm, operated by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, will soon be spreading holiday cheer with their December Nights and Holiday Lights event in Savannah. On select days from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, visitors can view nearly 5 acres of the gardens lit up for the holidays.
To help create a less stressful holiday meal, University of Georgia Extension specialists offer these tips. Plan ahead. Don't go it alone. Resist the urge to buy new things or try new recipes. Set realistic expectations for family affairs. Consider a seating chart. Remember, the traditional turkey your family has always enjoyed will round out your holiday meal much better than a half-frozen, half-cooked, deep-fried turkey would. CAES News
Five tips to stress less over the holidays 11/22/22 Alexis Roberts, MaryBeth Hornbeck
Does the stress of preparing for the holidays hit you like a sledgehammer? Are you Googling new recipes the night before the feast to find the perfect sides? Does a relative want Grandma’s cornbread stuffing instead of the Stouffer’s you had planned to prepare? Let’s face it: The holidays may look picture-perfect on social media, but in reality, they may not be so full of harmony and smiles.
Popular around Halloween, candy corn was initially marketed as "Chicken Feed" by its original producer. Now the sweet is likely to spark an annual love-it-or-hate-it confectionary controversy among candy consumers. CAES News
It's corn! The history of an adored (and reviled) Halloween candy 10/26/22 Lillian Sosbee
Candy corn is either the first or the last piece of candy you reach for around the Halloween season. Regardless of your opinion, candy corn is a mysterious confection. Its flavor, texture and history are unique, making this variegated sweet more than meets the eye.