SHINE 2023 | Columbus Botanical

A Garden that Glows!

Join us for our annual dazzling holiday light display, SHINE at Columbus Botanical Garden, the LARGEST light display in Columbus!

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

Get ready to embark on a journey of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, festive fun, and heartwarming memories that will leave you in awe at SHINE, a Celebration of Nature and Wonder! Santa Claus will make a special appearance each night to spread holiday cheer so bring the kids to share their Christmas wishes and the perfect photo op. Let your children’s creativity shine at our holiday-themed craft stations, enjoy interactive story-time with local libraries, and don't miss our NEW bioluminescence maze in the Meadow Garden! Warm up by the fire and make some delicious s’mores using Tiki Brand fire pits donated by W.C. Bradley. Shop our Lillie Belle Holiday Market for Christmas gifts in the Adams Farmhouse, and finally, be mesmerized by our breathtaking Walk of Stars, a path of illuminated Shine Stars honoring and remembering loved ones.

Purchase your Shine Star below.

Festive concessions, sweet treats, and s'more kits are available for purchase and there will be live music or performances 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

There are two time slots for Shine: 6-7:30pm and 7:30-9:00pm.

Tickets are on sale NOW! Get your CBG Memberships today for discounts to Shine.

*Tickets are non-refundable.

Rescheduling is only allowed if this event is canceled by Columbus Botanical Garden.

Otherwise, our rescheduling fee is $5 per ticket.

Purchase Tickets HERE!

Member Night

We will have a special “Member Night” on November 29th from 6:00-8:00pm, where CBG members experience Shine for FREE.

Members, make sure to RSVP below. Get your CBG Memberships today!

Become a Member

Shine Stars

The Columbus Botanical Garden invites you to remember or celebrate your loved one this holiday season by purchasing a Moravian Star to be featured in the Walk of Stars at our upcoming Holiday Light Display, Shine. Star Donors will be recognized along the pathway leading into The Sam M. Wellborn Camellia Garden at the Columbus Botanical Garden. Each star is a glowing white 7 point weatherproof Moravian Star that is lit from within. Large star includes dedication text.

Shine star sales have closed.

Shine Activities

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa

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!

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

Each person attending must PRE-PURCHASE a ticket.

Purchase Tickets!

Teddy Bear Tea Party

Join us for a delightful Teddy Bear Tea Party, a magical event where children can bring their favorite teddy bears for an enchanting afternoon of fun, sweet treats, and tea. We will also have some special guest sugar plum fairies for a meet and greet! This event promises to create lasting memories and cherished moments for you and your children! All food and drinks are included and provided by Lavender Blooms.

Sunday, December 17th from 2:00-4:00pm

Ages 3+

SOLD OUT!

Cake Decorating

Come create a beautiful Christmas cake just in time for the holiday season! Class includes three tiered mini cake, frosting, and all supplies needed to design your own holiday masterpiece. This is an in depth class on how to mix colors, frost cakes, and do fine detail work. We can't wait to create SWEET memories with you!

December 3rd from 2:00-5:00pm

Ages 15+

Giving Saturdays

Each Week Throughout December

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. They are also asking for donations of the following items, which can be dropped off at the Garden during our normal operating hours.

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)

Visit Paws

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 canned goods during Garden Hours.

Visit Feeding the Valley

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.