December at the Garden!

Experience the magic of the holiday season as Columbus Botanical Garden is transformed into a Winter Wonderland! The Garden is very much alive with its dazzling array of lights and holiday cheer! We love seeing families and friends stroll through the Garden enjoying the beauty of nature, enhanced in the evenings by our holiday light display. It’s the most festive and exciting time and we are thrilled to share all of the workshops and events being held here with you all! SHINE, a Celebration of Nature and Wonder runs throughout the entire month so do not miss the largest light display in Columbus here at the Garden! It’s a joyful and enchanting time and we hope you join in on the fun.

NEWSLETTER PREVIEW:

SHINE, a Celebration of Nature and Wonder!

Holiday Events for Kids

Giving Saturdays

SANTA at the Garden

Volunteer of the Month

25th Anniversary of the Garden

NOW HIRING

and MORE!

Keep up with ALL upcoming events here:

Open EVERY DAY
9am-5pm, last entrance time at 4pm

Garden Hours for Shine Days:

9am-1pm, last entrance time at 12pm

Every Friday & Saturday

Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21 (Thursday), 22, 23, 28 (Thursday), 29

Shine Entry Times:

6:00pm and 7:30pm

Purchase tickets below

Members and nonmembers, please check in at admission kiosk before entering the Garden.
As always, thank you for your membership!

Use your CBG membership to receive discounts on the many upcoming events and visit the Garden as many times as you want throughout the year for free!

Garden Admission: $10 adults // $5 ages 4-17 // Free 0-3
Free entry for CBG Members

UPCOMING EVENTS

🌟 Join us for our annual dazzling holiday light display, SHINE, a Celebration of Nature and Wonder at Columbus Botanical Garden! 🌟

Photos with Santa, Walk of Stars, Kids’ Crafts, Holiday Market, Live Entertainment, Bioluminescence Maze and more!

Festive concessions and s’more kits will be available for purchase and there will be live music or performances each night to get you in the holiday spirit!

Mark your calendar for the following dates.
December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29

Group rates are available on December 2nd & 15th.

Ho ho ho! Santa Claus is on his way to Columbus Botanical Garden to enjoy the sweetest holiday treats with you and your family at our Cookies and Cocoa with Santa event. Join us as we kick off these special evenings of Shine filled with delicious cookies, cocoa, and extended visits and photos with Santa. We will have a holiday cookie decorating station, a reindeer treat bag making station, and a North Pole Postal Express where children will have the opportunity to write their Christmas wishes to Santa!

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Cookies and Cocoa with Santa is from 5:00-6:00pm on December 16th, 21st, and 22nd and includes your Shine admission.

Everyone attending Cookies and Cocoa with Santa must purchase a ticket.

Teddy Bear Tea PartyJoin us with your favorite teddy bear and enjoy a fun Christmas tea in the Adams Farmhouse. Also, have a special meet and greet with sugar plum fairies! Food and drinks are included and provided by Lavender Blooms. Sunday, December 17th 2pm-4pm

The Garden will be providing the opportunity to give and support other local non-profits throughout December. Each Saturday we will feature a local nonprofit. The nonprofit will have the opportunity to have a booth and we will be taking both physical and monetary donations. With each donation, guests will receive a FREE hot chocolate voucher for Shine.

December 2nd: Paws Humane Society

Paws will have both a booth and an on-site adoption event at Shine. Guests will be able to walk the dogs through the Walk of Stars and monetary donations will be able to be made. Drop off any items below during Garden Hours or at Shine.

Needs: Purina Dog Chow, Purina Puppy Chow / Puppy Formula, Large / XL KONG Toys , Peanut Butter (no xylitol), Low Sodium Chicken / Beef Broth Dog Toys, Pill Pockets, Hot Dogs, Training Treats – soft, bite size, Purina Cat Chow, Purina Kitten Chow / Kitten Formula Cat Litter (non-clumping), Cat Toys, Tuna in Water, Puppy Training Pads, Dawn Dish Soap, Laundry Detergent, Bleach (non-scented)

December 9th: Feeding the Valley (4th-9th)

We will be hosting a canned food drive starting that Monday, the 4th, and culminating on December 9th.  Drop off any items below during Garden Hours or at Shine.

December 16: Savage Hart (11th-16th)

Learn about the organization at their information booth at Shine. Below are the needs of the organization. Drop supplies by during Garden hours starting Monday, December 11th or at Shine.

Needs: Bleach – unscented, Dawn dish soap, Laundry detergent – HE unscented, Paper towels, Trash bags – kitchen and outdoor size, Dog food – canned and dry, Cat food – canned and dry, Canned mixed vegetables, New hand towels

December 23:  Open Door Community House (18th-23rd)

We are hosting a coat/jacket and hygienic item drive for Open Door community house.  Drop off any items below during Garden Hours or at Shine.

In December, all regular adult and children monthly programs will be put on hold and will resume in January.

Come find the Golden Ticket!

Willy Wonka and the Flower Factory is happening NOW and throughout December. Specially wrapped chocolate bars are for sale during daytime garden hours at the admission kiosk, some containing a lucky golden ticket! If your chocolate bar contains a golden ticket, you win FOUR FREE TICKETS to SHINE!

There will also be a Willy Wonka-themed scavenger hunt throughout the Garden for families to enjoy together.

Make sure to come to the Garden for some chocolate and flower factory fun! Your generous support will go towards our Environmental Education Department.

A Message from our Executive Director,
Adriana Quiñones

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. I am so grateful for all our members, volunteers, board, and staff. It is because of your passion and support of the Garden, we have had such a successful year. As we move into this holiday season, I hope all will take some time to find the peace and beauty of the celebration.  Our goal for Shine: A celebration of Nature and Wonder, has always been to offer back to our community a treasured holiday tradition. We want to introduce all to the wonder and beauty of the Garden in a whole new light.  I hope you are making plans to join us. We have so many fun activities and we have partnered with our friends at other local organizations to help us with the celebrations. Make sure to check out our schedule of Shine events. There really is something for everyone!

Finally- as we close out the year- I want to personally thank everyone for the support you have shown the Garden. I am especially grateful for the wonderful and giving community that helps our Garden achieve its mission. I hope you take time to bless others as you are able and to relish in your family and friends. Happy Holidays to all!

With gratitude,
Adriana

Coming up…

Join us in 2024 as we celebrate the Garden’s 25th birthday all year long! Events are in the works to make 2024 EXTRA special, including the Art of Nature Exhibit, sponsored by Visit Columbus, starting in May! We will keep everyone up to date on this exciting year at the Garden.

Send your bookworm for a week of camp in the perfect setting, the Columbus Botanical Garden! Campers will read an assortment of books relating to science and the natural world, will complete activities connected to the stories, and will have opportunities to read, discuss, explore, and interact with their peers. It’s a week where the literary world and the natural world combine for learning and fun!

Dates: June 10th – 14th, June 24th – 28th

Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM

Session 1

Dates: June 10th – 14th

Age: Upcoming 2nd-3rd graders

Session 2

Dates: June 24th-28th

Age: Upcoming 4th-5th graders

Super Citizen Scientist Program – COMING in 2024!

Fun NEW program for ALL ages!

Save these dates:

FEBRUARY 17 – Backyard Bird Count

APRIL 20 – Spring Bioblitz

MAY 18 – Nestwatch

JUNE 22 – Caterpillars Count

AUGUST 19 – Great Southeast Pollinator Census

OCTOBER 12 – Fall Bioblitz

Ireland Trip supporting CBG!

Ten years ago we embarked on our first Ireland adventure. This May 2024 adventure promises to be even better! Our visits to many of Ireland’s very special gardens and Georgian mansions are being organized by Robert O’Byrne. Robert is an extremely entertaining authority on Irish houses in addition to being an accomplished author. He maintains strong connections with many of the “Old Line” Irish families. Our past estate tours with Robert have included lunches/dinners with Lords, Ladies, and Dukes. This special access is rare indeed. Recently, Robert wrote and presented a two-part history of Irish Gardens.

The CBG May tour will visit gardens and stately houses primarily in county Kerry as designated by Robert. Because an enthusiastic response is anticipated and a limited group size, a $250 deposit received by December 20th will hold your place!

– Geoff Robertson, American Travel Association

Photo of Robert O’Byrne courtesy of TVPR

At the Garden

The Garden is looking for people to help put on an amazing holiday light event called Shine! These positions are seasonal. We are looking for people who are extra friendly, excited about the holiday event, willing to go the extra mile, and ready to help!

We are holding OPEN INTERVIEWS on Friday, Dec 1st from 12:00-2:00pm. Please bring a resume. No need to apply ahead.

Camellias!You’ll begin seeing some of the early blooming camellias in the Sam M. Wellborn Camellia Garden over the next couple of months. Their peak bloom season is throughout January and February. Watch out for camellia tours and workshops coming in January!Did you know that Columbus Botanical Garden has a garden trail lined with over 750 varieties of camellias? Find our Sam M. Wellborn Camellia Garden along the JoAnn Holt Walking Trail. Get a membership today and watch the camellias bloom all season!

Frogwarts Day at Oxbow Meadows!Our Environmental Education Coordinator, Lauren Moore took her knowledge of herbology and taught kids at the Harry Potter-themed “Frogwarts Day” at Oxbow Meadows how to make “potions” by mixing different herbs. It was a popular activity among the guests!

Fall Harvest continues!All shades of turnips are turning up here at CBG! We are harvesting collards, kale, broccoli raab, celery, turnips, swiss chard, and rutabaga!We are proud to partner with and donate our produce to the local nonprofits, Feeding the Valley and The Food Mill as part of the #NourishColumbus movement – to provide fresh produce to those who need it most in our community.

Docent-led Adams Farmhouse Tours every Thursday!When you visit the Garden, enjoy a complimentary docent-led tour of the beautiful, historic Adams Farmhouse between 1:00-4:00pm.

Discovery Backpack ProgramThe Columbus Botanical Garden Discovery Backpack Program provides the materials and resources for a parent or chaperone to lead a structured learning experience. For children of all ages, Discovery Backpacks are perfect for charting your own garden adventure. Each backpack contains everything you need to explore the garden while learning about birds, plants, and honeybees!​Discovery Backpacks are FREE to check out with your regular garden admission. Choose a theme and enjoy!

VISIT US  STAY WITH US  PLAN A TRIP Embrace the festive spirit as Christmas unfolds in Dahlonega! Our month-long celebration is a cherished tradition, transforming every corner of downtown into a scene reminiscent of a Hallmark Christmas Movie.Indulge in the magic with a horse-drawn carriage ride, capture joyful moments with Santa, and discover the perfect Christmas gift while strolling through the heart of our downtown. Warm up with a steaming cup of cocoa from Tea Rabbits or hot cider from the various shops on the square. Take a fun Christmas Wine Tour or try the new Holiday Menu at Big Creek Distilling Co.Don’t miss your chance to make magical Holiday memories in the heart of the Georgia mountains!Experience the charm of Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9th, starting at 11 AM. Immerse yourself in the holiday cheer as festive floats meander through the decorated historic downtown. Get into the Christmas spirit and explore the detailed Christmas schedule for more exciting events!Check out the entire Christmas Schedule for more fun activities this 2023 Holiday season.CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE5K Reindeer RunTeam Give Back and Sheriff Stacy Jarrard will be teaming up again to bring you another Reindeer Dash 5K and Fun Run. Early Packet Pick-Up is available on Friday December 8th from noon to 7:00pm at Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation, 365 Riley Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Race Day Packet Pick-Up and Race Day Registration (Registration is $35 on Race Day) will be available at Hancock Park starting at 7:00am.There is so much to do in Dahlonega! Friday Night LiveCanopy + the RootsFriday Nights @ 7:30PMUGA vs BAMA Watch PartyPublic House Kitchen & CocktailsDecember 2ndChristmas Market on Candy Cane LaneHancock ParkDecember 2ndHoliday Open HouseBleu GalleryDecember 2ndLive Music52 West BrewingDecember 1st & 2ndCeltic Christmas Service with Live Music St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church December 3rdTacky Knits & Fine Sips Dahlonega Wine TourDSH Wine ToursDecember 8thAnnual Open House with Radford WindhamCranberry CornersDecember 9thLauren Anderson – Rock N’ Roll with a Lotta SoulCanopy + the RootsDecember 9thClassic Christmas Dahlonega Wine TourDSH Wine ToursDecember 15thCandy Cane Kids DayHancock ParkDecember 15thGold Museum Open House – Free EntryDahlonega Gold MuseumDecember 16thThe Eyebrows: Power-Pop-Garage-Punk RockCanopy + the RootsDecember 16thChristmas Eve BrunchDahlonega Resort and VineyardDecember 24thNew Years Eve Party – Blues-Rock Ball Drop with Hughes TaylorCanopy + the RootsDecember 31stMORE EVENTS           Share This Email  Share This Email  Share This Email