Tickets Go On Sale October 8 for GARDEN LIGHTS, HOLIDAY NIGHTS; To Run November 16 - January 4

Tickets for the third annual Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden go on sale to Garden members October 1 and to the general public October 8.

The spectacular holiday light show, open nightly from November 16 - January 4, features 30 acres of both indoor and outdoor displays created with 1 million lights - most energy-efficient LEDs.

New features this year include several personalities from the summer exhibition Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life. Earth Goddess, the reigning grand dame of the exhibit's giant topiary-like sculptures, makes a quick costume change to become the light show's Ice Goddess. Twinkling lights weave through her 25-foot-long tresses, and her face glows with wintry radiance and icy sparkle, nestled beside the Cascades Garden waterfalls.

And what does a pair of majestic 15-foot tall snakes from Imaginary Worlds wear for the holidays? Red and white stripes, of course! The Candy Cane Cobras welcome revelers and stand guard over the Alston Overlook. Green lights trace hypnotic patterns in both serpents' hoods.

Also new this year, the Edible Garden sprouts a harvest of illuminated corn, not the result of genetic manipulation but of the Garden's electrical engineering. Visitors will stroll through parallel rows of 6-foot-tall stalks featuring a bounty of sparkling ears. An arch of luminescent ladybugs guards the gateway from the Fuqua Orchid Center into the Outdoor Kitchen, only allowing beneficial insects to pass. Also look for three ethereal dragonflies with moving wings shimmering brilliantly by a pool.

Indoors, the Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid Center continue the floral power with an extravaganza of poinsettias, amaryllis, orchids, and anthuriums. The stunning 24-foot-long, 9-foot-tall Poinsettia Wall returns in the Conservatory Lobby with new colors and patterns. The towering live Poinsettia Tree holds court in the Orchid Center Atrium amidst a profusion of tropical flowers and foliage set at ground level. Expect your favorite plants as well as a few surprises. The Bear Family and loyal dog return as well - but designers are keeping mum on what they'll be wearing. In addition, look for more of the spectacular outdoor light displays - towering cone trees, funky wrapped hardwoods, and the Great Lawn's grand musical finale - that have made Garden Lights Atlanta's much-anticipated in-town holiday tradition.

Discounted tickets are available beginning October 1 for Garden members and general admission tickets go on sale starting October 8 - available at atlantabotanicalgarden.org, Garden admissions, or 855-454-6849.

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