Gardens Aglow 2026: Tickets, Dates and Tips for the Boothbay Light Show
Gardens Aglow is the winter light show at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. The Gardens says it uses more than 750,000 LED bulbs, roughly 65 miles of lights, along about a mile of paths. The 2026 theme is "Gathered In Maine," with displays about maple tapping, mushroom foraging, seed-dispersing ants, pollinators and coastal life.
The one rule that matters most: tickets are sold only in advance. There are no onsite sales. Here's what you need to know to plan a night.
The essentials
- Dates: Saturday, November 14, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027
- Days: Thursday through Sunday, plus select extra dates
- Hours: 4–9 p.m.; the Visitor Center opens at 3 p.m.
- Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
- Where: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay, ME 04537
- Tickets: timed entry, $10–$28 depending on age and date; buy ahead online or at (207) 633-8000
- Parking: free on site
Tickets and prices
Prices depend on the date you pick. The Gardens sorts dates into three tiers: Family Value, Standard and Premium.
- Adults: $20 / $24 / $28
- Seniors and veterans: $18 / $22 / $26
- Children: $10 / $14 / $18
Gardens members get 20% off. Member presale opened September 1 and public sales opened September 8, so tickets are on sale now. Check the ticket page for the price on the date you want.
Tickets are digital and arrive by email as a PDF or a phone wallet pass. Arrive within 15 minutes of your ticketed time. Tickets are non-refundable. Moving to another date costs $2.50 per ticket.
Because there are no onsite sales, a date that sells out is closed to you that night. If you have a specific evening in mind, buy early.
The VIP upgrade
A VIP upgrade costs $50 per ticket on top of admission, and the member discount doesn't apply. It includes unlimited ticket exchanges, arrival any time during opening hours on your date, a fire pit with s'mores (weather permitting) and Gardens Aglow gifts. The Gardens says VIP passes are limited and will sell out.
Getting there: parking and the shuttle
Parking at the Gardens is free, and the Gardens encourages carpooling. There are a few EV chargers, first come, first served.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, a shuttle runs from the Boothbay Harbor Town Office at 11 Howard Street from 3
to 9 p.m. The last ride to the Gardens is around 7 p.m., and the last ride back is by 9. You need a Gardens Aglow ticket to ride.What to wear and how long to stay
This is an outdoor walk in a Maine winter. The Gardens says to dress in layers and wear warm, sturdy shoes, since paths can be snowy or icy. Most people spend about two hours.
The show runs rain or shine. The Gardens closes only for major unsafe weather, posts any closure by 1 p.m. that day on its website, Facebook and local news, and refunds tickets for cancelled dates.
Food, drinks and restrooms
- Café: warm comfort food and hearty bowls; last orders at 8 p.m.
- Snack Shack: hot cocoa, coffee, beer, wine, popcorn, donuts and cookies
- Alcohol rules: no outside alcohol and no tailgating. There's a two-drink limit, and you need a federally recognized ID (vertical IDs aren't accepted).
- Restrooms: in the Visitor Center, Café and Education Building, open from 3 p.m.
Accessibility and pets
The Gardens has a limited number of wheelchairs and scooters, and it suggests visiting early in the season, before snow and ice. A small part of the route isn't reachable by wheelchair or scooter.
Only service animals are allowed. They must be on a fixed leash of six feet.
Q: When is Gardens Aglow 2026?
Gardens Aglow runs November 14, 2026 through January 2, 2027, Thursday through Sunday plus select extra dates, from 4 to 9 p.m. It's closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Q: How much are Gardens Aglow tickets?
Adult tickets are $20, $24 or $28 depending on the date. Seniors and veterans pay $18 to $26, and children $10 to $18. Members get 20% off, and a VIP upgrade is $50 more per ticket.
Q: Can I buy Gardens Aglow tickets at the gate?
No. Tickets must be bought in advance online or by phone at (207) 633-8000. There are no onsite sales, so a sold-out date can't be attended.
Q: Is there parking at Gardens Aglow?
Yes, parking is free on site. On Friday through Sunday nights, a shuttle also runs from the Boothbay Harbor Town Office at 11 Howard Street for ticket holders.
Q: Can I bring my dog to Gardens Aglow?
No. Only service animals protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act are allowed.
More holiday outings in Maine
- Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude — Kennebunkport, December 3–13, 2026
Related reading
- Holiday Craft Fairs & Christmas Markets in Maine 2026
- New England Holiday Light Shows 2026
- Your Complete Guide to Maine Fairs & Festivals in 2026
- Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor: A Week of Tall Ships and Tradition
- Augusta Holiday Craft Shows 2026
- Snowport Holiday Market 2026: What to Know Before You Visit Boston Seaport's Holiday Market
Details in this guide come from Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' website as of late September 2026. Confirm dates, prices and availability on the official site before you go.
Last updated: September 2026
