Holiday Lights In Garden In Running For Best Light Display In U.S.

LARGO, FL — The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation's annual Holiday Lights in the Garden, which opened Friday, is in the running for USA Today's 10Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights displays in the country.

USA Today asked a panel of experts to nominate their favorite light displays at botanical gardens throughout the U.S. The experts narrowed the list to 20 and readers were given until Nov. 29 to vote on their favorite display.

The top 10 winners, determined by readers' votes, will be announced on Friday, Dec. 8.

In addition to the Florida Botanical Gardens, light displays in the running include:

• Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Garden, Denver, Colorado.
• Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando.
• Dominion Energy Gardenfest of Lights at Richmond, Virginia.
• Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens La Canada, Flintridge, California.
• Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
• Galaxy of Lights at Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville, Alabama.
• Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri.
• Garden Lights, Holiday Lights at Atlantic Botanical in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine.
• Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
• Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.
• Illuminations at Botanica in Wichita, Kansas.
• Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.
• Lightscape at San Antonio Botanical Garden in San Antonio, Texas.
• Lightscape at the Arboretum in Arcadia, California.
• Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, Alabama.
• Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
• NYBG Glow in Bronx, New York.

The Florida Botanical Gardens' Holiday Lights in the Garden is on display nightly through Sunday, Dec. 31, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., features one million, twinkling LED lights in a multitude of colors with vibrant laser lights and lighted figures that can be seen along walkways that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Holiday Lights in the Garden comes on the heels of the much-awaited opening of the new Majeed Discovery Garden. To celebrate, there will be free kids' activities in the Majeed Discovery Garden every Monday and Friday evening through December.

The Majeed Discovery Garden, is a children's garden with a nature-themed outdoor classroom. Situated on 2-plus acre of Florida natural pine flat woods habitat with slash pine and laurel oak as the dominant tree species and palmettos in the understory, the site features a 600-square-foot outdoor classroom, nature-themed play experiences, exploratory trails, planting beds and exhibits including the "Musical Forest," featuring a variety of musical instruments, including a fog guiro, cajon and chimes.

Related: Ground Broken On Park, Outdoor Classroom Geared For Children

Also planned at the gardens this holiday season is a visit with the signing Santa from the Family Center on Deafness Friday, Dec. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. and a Florida Farm Bureau Craft Weekend Friday, Dec. 15 to Sunday, Dec. 17 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The Florida Botanical Gardens' annual Gift & Plant Sale at the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop and locations throughout the gardens will take place Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The suggested donation is $5 per person with children ages 12 and under admitted for free.

For the Holiday Lights in the Garden, a donation of $10 per person is suggested to support the Majeed Discovery Garden with entry free for children age 12 and under. Leashed pets are welcome.

Free parking is available at 12520 Ulmerton Road and 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo.