Our Family Visit to Florida Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights | Video

Published on 12/15/22 (Scroll down for video): This is a video post to follow-up my picture post of our experience at the Florida Botanical Gardens.  Alright, so here’s a 2 1/2 minute clip of our experience this week at Florida Botanical Garden’s “Holiday Lights”. This short clip is just a glimpse into what to expect, as you could likely spend 60-90 minutes wandering the paths, depending on your pace (property itself is 100 acres). We very much enjoyed our evening and were pleased that Colt did as well! Exhibit A: Check the 1:45 mark of the video, where he’s voice activating the huge singing tree. A few seconds later, he’s still trying to activate it as we walk away, which understandably confused one gentleman who didn’t realize he was nearing the special tree. He thought Colt was yelling at him. Sorry sir.

If nothing else, make sure you check out the violinists at the 2:19 mark of my video. These local musicians, and their instructor, had the crowd gathered with smiles on their faces. Here’s some additional info, so that between my two posts, most items are covered:

Further Details on Cost/Donation to Florida Botanical Gardens:

The property is owned and operated by Pinellas County, with funding from the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit. You can tell the board of directors put significant time and expense into making this event happen. While it’s a free event per their website (and those onsite who I spoke with), they encourage $10 donations for ages 13+. Yesterday, I became curious on how these donations will be spent. Turns out, this year the funds primarily go towards helping construct a huge children’s garden! “The Majeed Discovery Garden (MDG) will be a free and accessible children’s garden, located inside the Florida Botanical Gardens. The 2+ acres site, is located along McKay Creek […] and will include a pond area for additional exploration of aquatic ecosystems. […] will allow its visitors to focus on the care and nurture of plants and animals as they interact in creative spaces designed to stimulate all five senses. […] a place for hands-on and experiential education in an outdoor setting, with a goal to entice, engage and educate children through discovery and play.” If you read my recent write-up on the Sarasota Children’s Garden and Art Center, you know the possibilities and how much Colt enjoyed that outdoor activity.

GIFT SHOP: Head inside the visitor’s center for a selection of “botanically-themed” items including t-shirts, books, apparel, home goods, children’s items, jewelry, stationery, spa items, and Florida Botanical Gardens branded merchandise.

PETS: Leashed pets are allowed

GROUP VISITS: If you have questions on group visits, simply call: 727-582-2117

Here’s some key points from my prior post:

DATES: Day after Thanksgiving until Jan 1st (I recommend Mon-Thurs to avoid crowds)

LOCATION: Here are the addresses for the two parking lots, both free. 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo and 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo

LIGHTS: One million, “twinkling, LED lights in a multitude of colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures round out our display”

HOURS: 5:30 – 9:30 pm nightly

GIFT SHOP: Yes

ACCESSIBILITY: ADA compliant walkways (love it!)

FOOD/DRINK: Available for purchase

RESTROOMS: Yes

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: See website for schedule. https://www.flbgfoundation.org/holidaylights

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