ENLIGHTEN and University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions Exhibits Open During Holiday Break for THREE MORE WEEKS, through Jan. 4
Families looking for fun holiday break activities can amp up their plans with a visit to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to see the new ENLIGHTEN holiday light spectacle that runs through Jan. 4, with timed tickets still available.
On par with other iconic major holiday displays throughout the country, ENLIGHTEN opened Nov. 27 and is produced by Lightswitch and Upstaging – renowned for creating world-class, immersive events such as Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, shows for major theme parks worldwide, and projects for award-winning artists from Hans Zimmer to Paul McCartney.
Timed tickets are still available for many nights that the show takes place between now and Jan. 4, with more availability on weekdays.
“We have received such an overwhelmingly positive response to the first three weeks of ENLIGHTEN,” said Carol Kendra, Chief Operating Officer of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. “People of all ages are enthralled with the show and how our Gardens & Sculpture Park take on a new life at night with these lighting and musical elements. If you haven’t been yet, there is still time to check out this immersive experience and make it part of your family’s winter vacation and holiday plans.”
ENLIGHTEN takes guests on a one-mile transformative journey through a winter wonderland where art, light and nature meld in harmony. Massive light installations choreographed to traditional holiday music from around the world and enhanced by interactive elements invite people to control the environment surrounding them. Guests encounter masterpieces by legendary artists including Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin and Ai Weiwei. The iconic The American Horse by Nina Akamu, alongside works by Mark di Suvero and Roxy Paine, are showcased in dynamic lightscapes, creating a fusion of sculpture and immersive technology. ENLIGHTEN also offers food, drinks, and other activities—making it the perfect holiday outing for families, friends, and art enthusiasts.
The ENLIGHTEN experience culminates indoors with a celebration of cultures and holiday traditions from around the world with the annual University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition. The conservatories, corridors, Garden Pavilion, and indoor spaces at Meijer Gardens have been transformed into festive displays showcasing decorations, performances, and exhibits honoring global holiday customs. A favorite display is the Railway Garden looping through three indoor garden spaces including the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse and the Earl & Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor. The horticultural artistry and water features of the Railway Garden complements the trolleys, trains, and handcrafted buildings replicating more than 40 West Michigan and Grand Rapids Sister City landmarks. New this year is a giant poinsettia tree in the observatory made up of hundreds of poinsettias, and a large moss tree display in the Garden Pavilion.
ENLIGHTEN Ticket Information:
Timed tickets start at $10–$20 for members of Meijer Gardens and $12–$24 for nonmembers, depending on the date. Members of Meijer Gardens receive a discount off all tickets compared to nonmember pricing. Additional discounts are available for groups of 10 or more guests or for guests holding EBT / SNAP benefits. Timed tickets and additional information is available at MeijerGardens.org/ENLIGHTEN
Exhibit Dates:
ENLIGHTEN runs between 5:30 to 10 p.m. on the following dates through Jan. 4, with timed entry on the half hour starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m.:
· Weds., Dec. 18
· Thurs., Dec. 19
· Fri., Dec. 20
· Sat., Dec. 21
· Sun., Dec. 22
· Mon., Dec. 23
· Thurs., Dec. 26
· Fri., Dec. 27
· Sat., Dec. 28
· Sun., Dec. 29
· Mon., Dec. 30
· Thurs., Jan. 2
· Fri., Jan. 3
· Sat., Jan. 4
For more information and to purchase timed tickets, visit MeijerGardens.org/ENLIGHTEN
