As the chill of winter descends, St. Louis’ Missouri Botanical Garden once again transforms into a twinkling wonderland with Garden Glow. Running now through Jan. 4, this cherished holiday tradition enters its 12th year, welcoming families and friends to experience over 2 million lights spread across the Garden’s vast grounds. Drawing nearly a quarter of a million visitors last season, Garden Glow is a testament to the event’s vibrant role in the St. Louis community, uniting all ages in awe and celebration.
To warm the winter air, Garden Glow tempts visitors with a delightful array of seasonal treats and festive drinks crafted to charm guests of all ages. For those wishing to indulge in holiday flavors, the Garden’s specialty cocktails are a welcome treat. Guests can enjoy a cozy twist on classic winter sips, with hot chocolate playfully spiced up by flavors like peppermint schnapps and hazelnut liqueur, or indulge in hot apple cider with a splash of Fireball. These seasonal delights can be found at various concession stands dotted along the path, offering the perfect warming treat as you explore.
Among the cozy delights, the hand pies are a new favorite. Each hand pie features a rich, buttery shortcrust that balances flakiness with a satisfying bite. Guests can choose between savory or sweet fillings: the savory hand pie is filled with tender beef in the style of shepherd’s pie, mingling with carrots, celery and onions for a hearty, comforting flavor. Meanwhile, the sweet option combines tart cranberries and crisp apples with the warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, capturing the season’s essence in every mouthful.
Visitors can unwind by gathering around one of the many fire pits scattered throughout the Garden, perfect for cozy moments with family or roasting gooey, indulgent s’mores. For a more intimate escape, private fire pits are also available for rent, offering a special touch to your Garden Glow experience. To make the evening even more seamless, guests can enhance their experience with the Dine and Glow add-on, savoring a delightful meal from Sassafras Restaurant. Indulge in hearty dishes like cannelloni with rich red sauce and sautéed broccoli, succulent roast pork loin served with roasted potatoes and vegetables, or a winter harvest salad, brimming with glazed pecans, crisp apples, creamy chevre and a drizzle of peppered balsamic vinegar.
Sweet delights are also plentiful at the new Sweet Shoppe, where jumbo-decorated sugar cookies on sticks, homemade fudge, chocolate bark and chocolate-covered pretzels bring whimsy and warmth. Visitors can look forward to even more sweet treats as Dippidy Donuts joins the festivities this year with mini doughnuts in festive flavors like cinnamon sugar, s’mores and holiday sprinkles, perfect for savoring as guests wind through the glowing paths.
This year’s event welcomes several new exhibits that reflect the Garden’s mission to inspire a love for nature and connect guests to its living collections. The Lehmann Rose Garden has been reimagined as the Grand Grove, featuring glowing faux oak trees, a nod to the Garden’s dedication to biodiversity, with more than 60 species of oak in its collection. Further along, a golden meadow in the Victorian District mirrors the prairie restoration work taking place at the Garden’s Shaw Nature Reserve. These captivating displays do more than dazzle – they draw guests into the Garden’s deeper mission of conservation and restoration, creating a bridge between holiday magic and botanical insight. “We really want to connect kids to plants. We know that whenever we make those connections early, it makes children want to be good stewards of the environment,” shared Jessika Eidson, public information officer for the Missouri Botanical Garden.
For St. Louisans, Garden Glow is more than an event – it’s a celebration that grows richer each year. “We love seeing these families that come back every year, and knowing it’s a holiday tradition for them,” said Eidson. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as holiday weekends fill up quickly. For additional details or to secure your tickets, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden’s official website.
This article appears in November 2024.