5 things to know about Illuminations at Botanica

Amy Geiszler-Jones
Jaime Green/The Wichita Eagle

Usually the volunteers and staff at Botanica take care of programming all of the displays during the attraction’s big holiday lights event called Illuminations, but this year Botanica has introduced two new displays that visitors can program.

With the new interactive orb display, visitors can use a computer program to create their own show and then watch the show in action in real time, according to Botanica officials. The orb display is located on the hill of the attraction’s huge stone patio called Parriott Terrace.

In the second new installation, called light stompers, visitors can jump from stone to stone to watch them light up every time a stomper is hit. The stompers are across from the top of the grand lawn in the Koch Carousel Gardens and will be available starting Nov. 28, according to Jamee Ross, director of development.

To keep up bragging rights to having one of the region’s brightest and biggest light displays, another new attraction this year is a 62-foot holiday tree that has 80,000 individual light bulbs programmed with holiday graphics and set to music. It’s one of the largest programmable branched trees in the Midwest, according to Botanica.

Illuminations opens Friday, Nov. 18, and runs nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. through Dec. 31 this year. The display is closed Nov. 23 and 24 and Dec. 24 and 25 for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, respectively.

Now a light show of some 2 million lights, Illuminations first started in 1990 with holiday luminarias created with paper sacks and real candles placed along walkways. After a few years, Botanica officials decided to convert to an electrical display. It continues to add features or updates, oftentimes taking up to two years to plan and incorporate those changes. One updated display this year is the musical light show on the main meadow.

Here are five things to know about this year’s Illuminations:

  • Tickets for Illuminations must be pre-purchased through Botanica’s website, botanica.org/illuminations. You’ll need to select a date and one of the four time slots available for your arrival — 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 p.m. Some time slots are already sold out. Present your receipt on your mobile phone at the gate. The online, timed ticket sales help prevent long lines and ease parking lot congestion, Botanica officials said. To avoid crowds, try a weekday night instead. Tickets are $13, $9 for children ages 12 and under and members, free for children 2 and younger.

  • The only entrance for Illuminations is Botanica’s south gate near the Old Cowtown Museum parking lot. Parking lots available for Illuminations will be listed on the event’s website each night. Shuttle buses will run between satellite parking lots.

  • Santa will be available for visits and pictures until Dec. 23. Other activities include live carolers each night, a photo opportunity inside a 10-foot decorated snow globe (photos are $5 each), and hot cocoa, adult beverages and treats for sale. The Khicha Family Carousel will also be open; the $3 ride tickets can be purchased inside the carousel pavilion. Payments for purchases are primarily card only. At limited places where cash is accepted, no change can be made.

  • As this is an outdoor display, be aware of weather conditions and bundle up. Ice and heavy snow have caused cancellations of some nights in the past. During inclement weather, check Botanica’s Facebook page and website for any weather-related decisions that will be posted by 3 p.m. Botanica will work with ticketholders to reschedule or issue refunds if Illuminations is closed for inclement weather.

  • Illuminations has again been nominated for USA Today’s 10 best list for botanical garden light displays, a spot it’s earned in the past. Visit botanica.org to cast a vote daily. Earlier this week, Botanica was in the top 10 of the leaderboard.

Botanica is still in need of volunteers to help with Illuminations in positions including ticket-takers, vendor sales and line monitoring. Individuals or companies that want to volunteer should contact Kristi Conkle at kconkle@botanica.org

Illuminations at Botanica

When: 5:30-9:30 nightly from Friday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Dec. 31. Closed Nov. 23 & 24 and Dec. 24 & 25 for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, respectively.

Where: Botanica, 701 Amidon. The Illuminations entrance is through the south gate, near the Old Cowtown Museum parking lot. Check the Botanica website for satellite parking information.

Admission: $13, $9 for children ages 12 and under and members, free for children 2 and younger. Tickets must be pre-purchased online for timed slots.

More information: 316-264-0448, botanica.org/illuminations

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