Thank you to everyone for an amazing 2023 season!
Bring the whole family to walk Gardens Aglow, a botanical-themed light festival in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. Friends of the Garden donates half of the Gardens Aglow admission proceeds to the maintenance fund for the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, sponsored by Simmons Bank. The remaining admission proceeds further Friends of the Garden’s mission to support the Springfield Botanical Gardens.
More than 200,000 festive lights accent the unique structures and landscaping of the Stroll Garden and capture the winter beauty of nature. Light features include RGB lights, light tunnels, firecracker lights, framed installations, water feature lights, up lighting, and string lights. Light features are made possible by the Friends of the Garden, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Mr. Electric, Hogan Land Title, Rosalie O’Reilley Wooten, Heavy Metal Christmas, Iris Society of the Ozarks, Springfield Herb Society, Ozarks Daylily Society, and Ozark Regional Lily Society. New frames this year were designed and made by Kodiak Trailers, Bill Fullerton, and Parks Construction Crew.
HOURS
5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
(last admittance at 8:15 p.m.)
DATES
Fridays-Sundays
Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 2023
(closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Bonus Dates: Dec. 21, 26-28 2023
Special Dates
- Members Night: Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Christmas at the Farmstead and Bazaar
- Holiday bazaar on Dec. 1 and 2 from 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM.
- Saturday, Dec. 2 from 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM: Traditional Christmas at the Farmstead.
- Activities include cookies, ornament making, hot chocolate, music, and Santa for photos at all events.
- Adults-Only Sip & Stroll: Dec. 7, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $30 per individual. – SOLD OUT
ADMISSION
Cash or card accepted. Proceeds benefit the mission of Friends of the Garden to support the Springfield Botanical Gardens and assist with the maintenance and enhancement of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden.
Pets are welcome; standard park rules apply.
Please note that all sales are final and tickets are only valid for the selected date. We kindly ask that you take this into consideration before making a purchase. This policy has been implemented to ensure fairness and consistency for all customers, and to ensure that our operations run smoothly. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event of inclement weather, cancellations will be posted at the top of this page and on our social media pages: Facebook, Instagram.
SEASON PASSES
Purchase a membership with Friends of the Garden or Springfield Sister Cities Association and receive free entry all season long! Members also get to skip the line and use the prepaid lane.
Memberships make great holiday gifts and come with various other benefits. Perfect for your loved one who has it all or just wants more quality time with the people they love!
Thank you to our 2023 Gardens Aglow Sponsors!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Help bring a unique event to the Springfield community as Gardens Aglow transforms the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden into a botanical winter wonderland.
Presenting Level – $10,000 (1 available)
- Name/logo on website for six months
- Name/logo on postcards and e-newsletter invites on all mailing lists
- Name/logo on all promotional materials, including print and social media
- Name/logo on the sign near lighted frame during the event
- 200 tickets to the event
Platinum Level – $5,000
- Name/logo on website for six months
- Name/logo on postcards and e-newsletter invites on all mailing lists
- Name/logo on all promotional materials, including print and social media
- Name/logo on the sign near lighted frame during the event
- 100 tickets to the event
Gold Level – $2,500
- Name/logo on website for three months
- Name/logo on postcards and e-newsletter invites on all mailing lists
- Name/logo on all promotional materials, including print and social media
- Name/logo on the sign near lighted frame during the event
- 50 tickets to the event
Silver Level – $1,500
- Name/logo on website for two months
- Name/logo on postcards and e-newsletter invites on all mailing lists
- Name/logo on all promotional materials, including print and social media
- Name/logo on the sign near lighted frame during the event
- 25 tickets to the event
Bronze Level – $1,000
- Name/logo on the website for the month of the event
- Name/logo on the sign near lighted frame during the event
- 10 tickets to the event
For more information, please contact Executive Director Heather Parker at 417-874-2952 or hparker@springfieldmo.gov.
Gardens Aglow takes place in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden located within the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.
After passing through the gates of the Springfield Botanical Gardens, take the first left (north). Follow the road until it ends at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden parking lot or until you are directed to a parking spot by Park Board staff.
We recommend planning to spend at least 30 minutes strolling Gardens Aglow, though you are welcome to spend more or less time. The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is 7.5 acres with a 0.51-mile winding pathway that loops through the garden. The main pathways are lit, paved, and dotted with benches.
Paved Pathways
Pathways are level-stamped concrete suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
Wheel Chairs
A limited number of complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
One motorized wheelchair is available to rent for $15 for a maximum of two hours. Please contact the Botanical Center at 417-891-1515 to reserve the motorized wheelchair. The Botanical Center is open Mondays-Saturdays from 8am-5pm and Sundays from 11 am-5 pm.
Accessible Parking
A number of accessible parking spots are available near the entrance to the Stroll Garden. Please inform parking attendants if you need a paved parking spot or need to park close to the entrance. Typically, a disabled license plate or visible disabled placard will be enough to inform them.
Did you know you can get engaged at Gardens Aglow? If this sounds like the perfect way to pop the question, call 891-1515, x2 for more information.
And don’t forget to join us for Sip & Stroll at Gardens Aglow for a great date night! Individual date nights won’t available during this year’s festival.
Many volunteers are needed to safely bring this unique event to the Springfield community! Volunteers receive free entry to the event, a $5 voucher with one of our vendors, and water and light snacks.
The majority of volunteer opportunities are outdoors, but all volunteer areas will have heaters. Volunteers are also welcome to take breaks to warm up in the heated pavilion.
Volunteers assist with guest hospitality and sales during a 3.5-4 hour shift. All volunteers receive brief training when they arrive for their shifts. You are welcome to sign up for as many shifts as you’d like!
In the case of event cancellation due to inclement weather, volunteers will be notified via e-mail.
Presented By
Gardens Aglow Sponsors
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden Sponsored By
Special Thanks