Lighting Up The Night with Joy at Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape
**Disclosure: Thank you to Chicago Botanic Garden for accommodating my visit to Lightscape. No other compensation was received for this review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden returns to dazzle families with holiday light displays intertwined with as well as inspired by nature. While it seemed to be a tough feat to beat last year's show, we were even more delighted by 2020's rendition of Lightscape. Chicago Botanic Garden included an array of new designs crafted by Chicago artists alongside favorite displays from last year truly adding more of the WOW factor!
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| Filled with joy while embarking on our Lightscape journey we truly enjoyed "Joy" by Chicago artist Matthew Hoffman. |
Almost immediately upon entering, we were greeted with "Joy" by Chicago artist Matthew Hoffman. Simple yet very expressive of the feelings of the season! "Joy" easily became quite a popular photo stop during our visit.
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| Impressive Pride and Promise Holiday Tree by Tanner Woodford rises above in splendor. |
Hundreds of stars inspired by Chicago's flag combine to form artist Tanner Woodford's "Pride & Promise." The stunning tree wows visitors as they embark on Lightscape's illuminated trail. The dazzling tree is incredibly tall and really elicits wonder as you gaze up to the star at top. We definitely had to pause and admire the lofty tree!
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| Firefly lights in the trees create wonder. |
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| Colorful lights dancing to music at Lightscape. |
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| "Night Birds" blazing through the evening sky at Lightscape. |
For me, one of the most magical moments occurred strolling beneath glowing birds of the night. "Night Birds" by Chicago artist Michael Young add a breathtaking blaze through the evening sky. Walking beneath the magnificent birds at night reminded me about migration occurring at night.
Walking Through a Glowing Tunnel
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| Guests amble through a tunnel of gold. |
Fan favorite display Cathedral of Light featuring a glowing tunnel of 100,00 lights entices visitors to slowly walk the path surrounded by glittering lights. Upon reaching the entrance, we paused and basked in the beauty of the golden and glowing tunnel before us.
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| Joining the disco with Brian S. Bembridge's Disko Tannsi. |
Yup, I am posing with an interesting disco dancer! Disko Tannsi by Brian S. Bembridge uses spheres, mirrors and playful lights to encourage guests to dance a little. The disco is set up near a food station where visitors can nibblede on a fresh air snack as well as roast marshmallows for s'mores. Really a fun spot!
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| Fire dancing in the Fire Garden at Lightscape. |
We were so thrilled to find out that our FAVORITE display from last year -- the Fire Garden -- was also incorporated in this year's show. We appreciated the new layout of the Fire Garden with what seemed to be more space and more time to delight in the fire light dancing in the night. Spectacular!
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| Tumbling Constellations by Brandin Hurley. |
Artist Brandin Hurley crafted Constellations which includes a crescent moon dipping in a pool of water and a smattering of constellations gracefully tumbling upon the ground. I was charmed by how the constellations looked like they had just fallen to Earth.
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| Caught in neon web! |
Another favorite experience included strolling through a tunnel of interwoven neon lighted wires. Pretty cool!
Stop and Smell the Flowers
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| An illuminated garden of flowers grows at Lightscape. |
Currently, Lightscape has very few tickets left.
How Lightscape has been shaped for the times
With our unusual times, Chicago Botanic Garden has made some special accommodation for this year. We felt entirely safe during our visit. COVID accommodations include:
- 1 way trail
- Social distancing and mask requirements
- Separate entrance and exit
- No interactive elements
- Limited capacity
- Safe spacing for light refreshments
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