Tropical snowfall, champagne and thousands of lights: NightGarden at Fairchild returns
The lights illuminate the sky, the trees, the guests, even a glass Chihuly sculpture. Snow shimmers and falls amid brightly lit palm trees. Shy fairies reveal themselves in a tropical rain forest.
And Miami shines just a little brighter as the holiday season begins, because the NightGarden is back.
The spectacular outdoor lights display, which opens Friday at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, returns after a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic with around 125,000 lights, food vendors, interactive adventures — and a genuine sense of happiness at returning to South Florida.
“We were so sad not to be able to be back last year,” said Steve Sheldon, managing partner of Epic Entertainment, which manages the show with producer Kilburn Live. “It just makes it so much sweeter this year to be back and to really have put a lot of thought and effort into what would be new and different and exciting this year for our guests to experience.”
The layout is different — the NightGarden always changes things up from year to year — with plenty of room to spread out if you’re still nervous about being too close to a crowd. You’ll be given a map, but since the NightGarden is dark (that’s the whole point), you can just follow signs and stroll from one sight to another. Most of the activities are located on a paved pathway, but you’re not going to want to wear your nightclub shoes.
In addition to the holiday lights, there’s a tropical snowfall, and you will not need a winter coat to revel in it. This is good, because half of Miami doesn’t own anything heavier than a hoodie.
The fairies have returned, more visible than ever if you download the FairyScope app on your phone and use it to scan the QR codes at the fairy boxes. Small children will squeal. You may end up with a slight headache at their audible joy, but it’s worth it.
Also returning is Archie the talking tree, who so captivated Kanye West in 2018. Archie gamely chats with adults and inquisitive kids alike, perfectly willing to answer every query from “Do you have teeth?” to “Do you have a girlfriend or do you want to marry another tree?”
We think someone needs to buy Archie a stiff drink. And they can! Because a couple of bars will be set up around the garden for your sipping pleasure. In Miami, holiday lights go well with champagne.
Food trucks like Latin Fixin’s and Arepa Santa Barbara will be on hand to feed the hungry. And if you’ve been thinking about joining Fairchild as a member, now’s a great time to do it — you’ll get four NightGarden tickets when you join.
NightGarden: A Magical Light Spectacular
Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami
When: Through Jan. 2; closed Dec. 24; open Dec. 25
Hours: 6-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Tickets: Kids under 5 free; tickets for 10 and under start at $24; $29 for adults. Discounts for Fairchild members and seniors; join as a member and get four free NightGarden tickets. Special New Year’s Eve party includes fireworks and DJ performances, with a countdown to midnight; fairchildgarden.org
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 6:00 AM.