An annual tradition continues with even more lights and fun for the family

BELMONT, N.C. – Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s annual Holidays at the Garden, opening to the public on Nov. 23, is going to be bigger and better than ever before. Visitors will experience an all-new musically-orchestrated topiary display, wander through the new illuminated Piedmont Prairie Garden, explore the extended lights of fire and ice plus all new lanterns in the perennial gardens, and much more.

Visitors will enjoy annual traditions including the 15-foot towering orchid tree, live music (daily 6 to 8 p.m.), holiday shopping in The Garden Store, crackling fires to warm cold hands or roast a marshmallow, the Children’s Discovery Trail of activities, warm beverages and more. Food service will be available every night in addition to beverages including coffee, hot chocolate, cider, beer, wine and other spirits.

Model train displays built by the Metrolina Model Railroaders can be found throughout the Garden in addition to an expanded display of quaint buildings from Department 56’s Dickens’ Village Series®. Santa Claus will also be available Tuesday through Thursday from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for personal photos (no fee). Mrs. Claus will visit the Garden Friday through Sunday evenings from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23 in addition to Christmas Eve from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Holidays at the Garden has been an annual tradition for 14 years and has delighted families with lights and holiday features,” said Patrick Larkin, the Garden’s Executive Director. “This year visitors will be amazed by the addition of hundreds and thousands of twinkling lights through new garden spaces. Musically orchestrated 12-foot topiaries will greet guests as they walk into the Garden, 8-foot lanterns will cast designs throughout Ribbon Garden, and thousands of lights will sweep through the new Piedmont Prairie Garden offering a unique and spectacular holiday experience for all.”

A special thank you to sponsors including David Belk Cannon Foundation, Gaston Travel & Tourism, Duke Energy, South State Bank, Pepsteel, Charlotte Regional Partnership and Beasley Broadcasting Group’s K104.7.

Holidays at the Garden will be open Nov. 23, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019 from 5 to 9 p.m. each evening, although the Garden will be closed Christmas Day. Holidays at the Garden admission is discounted for tickets purchased online in advance and prices increase at the door. Admission purchased online in advance for Monday through Thursday is $12.95 per adult, $11.95 per senior 60+, $7.95 per child 2-12 and free for children under age two. Admission purchased online in advance for Friday through Sunday is $14.95 per adult, $13.95 per senior 60+, $8.95 per child 2-12 and free for children under age two. Garden members receive a 30% discount and also receive 30% off the purchase of up to four guest passes. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance at www.DSBG.org.

Additional Holiday Events at the Garden
Visitors can also enjoy special events throughout the holiday season.

Capture the Magic with Santa on select Mondays, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17
Packages start at $49, visits available between 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Capture a magical memory with professional photos of your children or family with Santa by Rick Haithcox Photography! Please note, personal photography will not be permitted during this time. Holidays at the Garden admission is also required. Advance reservations are required and can be made online at www.DSBG.org.

Tea Tasting on Sunday, Dec. 2; Seatings at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
$30/Guest
Celebrate the holiday season with a variety of teas paired with scrumptious snacks while learning more about each type of tea. Advance reservations are required and can be made online at www.DSBG.org.

First Tuesday: Behind the Scenes of Holidays on Tuesday, Dec. 4; 12 – 1 p.m.
Free for Members or with General Admission
Join the Garden’s team for a behind-the-scenes look at Holidays at the Garden. Guests will learn more about exciting updates to the 2018 display, how the display comes together and get some ideas for their own holiday décor for the holiday season. No need to register – just bring a lunch and enjoy!

Wine Pairing on Sunday, Dec. 9; 3 – 5 p.m.
$65/guest (admission to Holidays at the Garden included)
Join special guest Chef Chad Hutcheson of the String Bean in Belmont, six-time winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, for this afternoon of scrumptious small bites and delectable wine samples. Advance reservations are required and can be made online at www.DSBG.org.

Sparkle & Glow New Year’s Eve on Monday, Dec. 31; 5 – 9 p.m.
Free with admission tickets to Holidays at the Garden
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a family-friendly event featuring New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world, live music, Holidays at the Garden and more. Holidays at the Garden tickets are available at www.DSBG.org.

Hair of the Dog Hike on Tuesday, Jan. 1; 11 a.m.
Free with general daytime admission or free for Members
Kick off the New Year with a refreshing guided Garden hike on New Year’s Day! Bloody Marys and Mimosas will be available for purchase.

Holiday Classes at the Garden
Visitors can also register for classes throughout the holiday season at www.DSBG.org.

Scandinavian Stars Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 17; 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
$30 (materials included), Instructor: Halle Russell
Craft two beautiful, old-fashioned woven Scandinavian paper stars that can become part of your family holiday tradition.

Mason Jar Holiday Crafts Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 17; 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
$35 (materials included), Instructor: Chef Alisha Hester
Decorate and fill three mason jars with delicious ingredients to create holiday treats to keep for yourself or give as gifts.

Restoration & Meditation on Sundays, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 & 16; 12:30 – 2 p.m.
$18/Class, Instructor: Raha Yoga
No experience or physical exertion required! Use props to help hold poses while using breathing, song and mindfulness to help you relax. Feel rested, refreshed and prepared for all the stress that comes along with holiday season. Bring your mat.

Cubicard Workshop on Sunday, Nov. 18; 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
$48 (materials included), Instructor: Lore Spivey
These special greetings mail flat in a standard envelope, but fold out to be a memorable three-dimensional holiday sentiment or decoration for tabletop or tree.

Photographing Holiday Lights on Wednesday, Nov. 28; 5 – 7:30 p.m.
$60 (includes admission to Holidays at the Garden), Instructor: David Kelly, DEK Photography
Learn how to utilize the settings on your camera to capture beautiful photos of the Garden’s holiday display!

Holiday Wreath Workshop on Saturday, Dec. 1; 1 – 3:30 p.m.
$60 (materials included), Instructor: Halle Russell
Create a stunning custom wreath from natural materials to liven up your front door or gift to a loved one. If you have clippers, wire cutters, gloves and any personal embellishments bring them along.

Sugar Cookie Decorating on Saturday, Dec. 1; 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
$25 (materials included), Instructor: Chef Alisha Hester
Learn to edge, flood, and sprinkle your way to beautiful, professional sugar cookies and take home some samples to enjoy.

Lightroom Workshop on Saturday, Dec. 8: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
$135/Guest, Instructor: David Kelly, DEK Photography
Join Dave Kelly, one of eight Adobe Certified Instructors (ACI) for Lightroom in the U.S., to learn more about Lightroom, a post-processing program for images that allows for powerful editing and digital photo organization.

Sip & Paint
Sunday, Dec. 9; 1 – 3 p.m. with Halle Russell and Saturday, Dec. 15; 1 – 3 p.m. with Marti Hutchins
$30 (materials included)
Enjoy a painting lesson with friends while sipping a glass of wine in the Garden’s festive holiday atmosphere.

Flowerpot Snow People on Saturday, Dec. 15; 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
$30 (materials included), Instructor: Halle Russell
Create three cute snow people from clay flower pots to give as gifts or spruce up your holiday décor.

Digital SLR: The Basics on Saturday, Jan. 12; 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
$46/Guest, Instructor: David Kelly, DEK Photography
Planning to give or receive a new camera this season? Give the gift of knowledge! Send your loved ones to the Garden to learn the basics of photography.

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Family-friendly summer events at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

BELMONT, N.C. – Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s Wild About Summer series kicks off with Bee Wild on Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wild About Summer celebrates nature and encourages families to venture outside and engage in fun, educational and hands-on activities.

Each event features activities unique to the theme in addition to crafts for both children up to age 10 and children over 10. Sproutycakes Bakery will have breakfast and lunch items for sale including cinnamon rolls, muffins, quiches, wraps, and more. Guests can also pre-order picnic lunches from Sproutycakes by calling 704-458-1393 at least 2 days prior to the visit.  Beverages are available from the Garden and Sproutycakes. Visitors can join the Garden weekends July 21 through August 19 for Wild About Summer events which are free with regular Garden admission or free for Garden members. Each

Wild About Summer:  Bee Wild!
July 21 – 22, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Learn more about the busy lives of bees and pollination, talk with local beekeepers, and discover just how important these hard-workers are to us and the world.

Wild About Summer:  Wild About Color!
July 28 – 29, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Celebrate the color and artistry of plants, gardening, nature and the environment. What better place than in a garden? Color and color theory will all be explained.

Wild About Summer:  Wild Wings!
August 4 – 5; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

This popular annual event is back at the Garden once again! Join expert Susan Campbell on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as she captures, bands and releases hummingbirds for research. Learn about attracting these tiny ornithological jewels and how to keep them coming back. Both days with feature activities allowing kids to measure their wingspan, examine feathers under a microscope and much more.

Wild About Summer:  Wildlife!
August 11 – 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Join our experienced staff to get out ‘in the field’ where you will deepen your connection to nature by getting up close with wildlife. Contribute to a survey collection database and the Garden’s phenology walk. Learn how to be a citizen science observer!

Wild About Summer:  Wild Wonders!
August 18 – 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The wild is full of surprises around every corner! Learn about the unique, bizarre and interesting adaptations plants develop in order to survive in different habitats.

Garden Members are admitted free and general admission is $12.95 per adult, $11.95 per senior 60+, and $6.95 per child 2-12. The Garden is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays through August for Sip & Stroll. For more information call (704) 825-4490 or visit www.dsbg.org.

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