Josie Heyl, Tucson Botanical Garden Seasonal Advisory Board Member
Having lived at SaddleBrooke for many years, I am always impressed with the new creativity our local attractions offer during the holidays for our community. On Nov. 25 the historic Tucson Botanical Gardens premiered its newest holiday light experience. My family and I have enjoyed our visits to the gardens for several years when they offered Luminaria Nights and then Wanderland. LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination is the newest, greatest holiday light experience, and I cannot wait to see what the gardens has in store. It will run for 44 nights, through Jan. 15, 2023, six days a week.
Designed by nationally known public garden landscape architect Tres Fromme, this carefully curated and artfully sequenced series of illuminated experiences will transform the gardens into a compelling, all-new holiday show. Six distinct but meticulously connected thematic zones comprise LightsUp!: Arrival, Welcome Walk, Whimsy Way, Bedazzled Boulevard, Star Shower, and Luminaria Lane.
“In addition to clouds of LED lights throughout the display, custom-built, oversized props and pieces created by local artisans, including light tunnels, cypress-inspired spindle trees, punched-tin stars and trees, light curtains, and luminaria chandeliers and archways, will all contribute to creating an unforgettable holiday experience unlike anything ever seen in southern Arizona. A casual walk through the show will take approximately 60 minutes and will be accompanied by a soundtrack that, in some areas, will be choreographed with the lights,” said Michelle Conklin, executive director.
If you are interested in visiting this new holiday experience, you can purchase tickets, or for more information about LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination, please visit tucsonbotanical.org.