For the fourth year running, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is welcoming visitors back to Gardens Aglow, its festive seasonal celebration. With more than 650,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens, CMBG is taking its dramatic display of brilliant color to new heights. Illuminated trails, dramatic designs, and winter-themed exhibits make the largest light display in Maine not only bigger, but a brighter, more radiant experience.

Visitors begin their journey by passing through an ethereal corridor of dancing lights evoking the aurora borealis before immersing themselves in a festively lit wonderland. During an enchanting evening at Gardens Aglow, there is something for everyone to experience. In addition to dramatic lighting, enjoy music, snacks, hot chocolate, and holiday shopping in the Gardenshop.

Gardens Aglow runs Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 4 to 9 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve). Tickets are timed for three separate arrivals each night at 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for children 3-17 (children under 3 are free) and $36/family of four, are available online. Discounts are available for CMBG members and groups of 10 or more; see www.MaineGardens.org for all pricing options. To ease the journey to Gardens Aglow, shuttle buses will run continuously during the event, beginning at 4 p.m. from the municipal lot in Boothbay Harbor to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. While Gardens Aglow is a self-guided walking tour, complimentary wheelchairs and scooters are available on a first come, first served basis, weather permitting.

To show our appreciation to the Boothbay peninsula for the tremendous outpouring of support received throughout the year, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is holding a special Community Night at Gardens Aglow on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Community Night is a special complimentary showing for Boothbay peninsula residents only — a fun way to kick off the season and enjoy the company of friends. Peninsula residents should look for the postcard that will serve as their admission in early November.

Community members are also invited to take part in the annual Gardens Aglow holiday lighting contest. If your home or business is located on the Boothbay peninsula in Edgecomb, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, or Southport, and your property is visible from a public roadway, you are eligible to win. Displays will be judged in two categories — business and residential. Employees and family members of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are not eligible to enter.

To participate, complete the registration form at www.GardensAglow.org and click on the “Contest” link. Entries must be received by Nov. 26 to be eligible for judging. Displays will be evaluated by a panel of judges from the community. Points will be given for originality, effective use of color, and overall impact when viewed from the nearest public roadway. Judges will consider residential and business displays separately and announce the winners at the Gardens Aglow Community Night. First place in both categories will receive $1,500.00 plus 15 tickets to Gardens Aglow, 2018. Second place will receive $1,000.00 plus ten tickets to Gardens Aglow and third place will receive $500.00 plus five tickets to Gardens Aglow.

There is nothing quite like Maine in winter, and Gardens Aglow has become a firm tradition in Maine’s seasonal calendar. Together with Boothbay Lights, the Boothbay Peninsula is the place to be for wintertime cheer. Experience the Gardens’ explosion of festive color, then dine in one of the many restaurants characteristic to the region and enjoy a wide variety of seasonal activities, including special events and seasonal shopping experiences. For a complete calendar of regional offerings, visit www.boothbaylights.com.

The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants and nature through horticulture, education and research. Visit Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens online, www.mainegardens.org.