Credit: Brookgreen Gardens
This January, Brookgreen Gardens — a 9,127-acre nature preserve on South Carolina’s picturesque Hammock Coast — offers a serene post-holiday respite for those looking to relax and reconnect with nature in the new year. Visitors are invited to stroll through lush botanical gardens, admire the country’s largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture and explore Brookgreen’s native animal zoo. The idyllic experience is further enriched with diverse educational programs on topics ranging from sea turtles to fossils, alongside wellness-focused activities such as chair yoga and group walks through the Gardens’ tranquil labyrinth.
See below for full details on Brookgreen’s exhibitions and programming throughout January.
New Exhibition:
ArtFields Jr. Traveling Exhibition, Jan. 27 – March 1
Displaying the creativity and talent of young artists, this inspiring exhibition highlights the imaginative works of students from the Pee Dee region, celebrating their unique perspectives and artistic exploration. From vibrant paintings to innovative mixed media pieces, the show offers a glimpse into the boundless creativity of the next generation of artists. The ArtFields Jr. traveling exhibition tours the four regions of South Carolina and showcases the winning artworks from the 2024 ArtFields Jr. Art Competition in addition to area participants.
Last Chance:
Nights of a Thousand Candles, Now – Jan. 5, 4 – 9 p.m.
A seasonal spectacle that has, for the last quarter-century, become a must-see tradition, this event offers a breathtaking backdrop for meaningful moments and cherished holiday memories. As one of the Southeast’s largest and most enchanting annual holiday light displays, Nights of a Thousand Candles guests will experience the National Historic Landmark in a whole new light, as millions of twinkling lights drape from large-scale sculptures and 250-year-old live oak trees, all elegantly illuminated by the soft glow of over 2,800 candles. Each evening will commence with a ceremonial lighting of the Holiday Tree – an almost 80-foot-tall China Fir that anchors Brookgreen’s Arboretum, in addition to live holiday music and seasonal beverages and bites available for purchase.
Price: $35 Adult | $17 Children 4-12
Treasured Holiday Memories, Now – Jan. 5, 2025
This holiday exhibit features a traditional theme centered around trains and cherished memories from past holiday seasons. Visitors can enjoy Lionel and American Flyer trains traversing landscapes crafted by department staff, including a new vintage American Flyer layout from the 1960s in the Mize Gallery. Returning highlights include an “Amusement Park and Pavilion” reminiscent of the historic Myrtle Beach Pavilion and vintage 1950s trains from a private collection, all displayed in the Rosen Galleries. The exhibit will be open during general daytime admission, although the trains only operate during Nights of a Thousand Candles.
Traditions & Memories: 25 Years of Nights of a Thousand Candles, Now – Jan. 5, 2025
Join Brookgreen in celebrating a quarter-century of shimmering lights and cherished memories. This exhibit features photographs submitted by guests, capturing their favorite moments from the annual event. Each image tells a unique story of family traditions and joyful celebrations, reflecting the magic and spirit of the past 25 years. Visitors are invited to explore this nostalgic display and relive the heartwarming memories.
Events:
South Carolina's Sea Turtles, Jan. 9, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Discover the life cycle of South Carolina’s state reptile, the loggerhead sea turtle, and explore the behaviors and challenges of other nesting species like leatherbacks, Kemp’s ridleys and greens. This program highlights the habits of these sea turtles, why they are threatened and offers helpful tips for their conservation.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Brookgreen Labyrinth Walk, Jan. 11, 1 – 3 p.m.
Visitors are invited to set hopeful intentions for 2025 during this peaceful group walk through the labyrinth at Brookgreen Gardens.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
A Horticulturist Errs: Mistakes, Panic Responses, and a General Absence of Common Sense in the Garden, Jan. 14, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Lucy Contreras, assistant director of horticulture at Kalmia Gardens, as she chronicles some of the gardening mistakes she's made throughout her career in horticulture. This engaging talk will cover her lessons learned, how to rebound from faux pas and why those mistakes are the best way to learn.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Chair Yoga, Jan. 15, 10 – 11 a.m.
Chair yoga is a gentle practice that helps improve spinal health, flexibility and mindfulness. Postures are performed while seated or with the assistance of a chair, making it ideal for individuals with mobility difficulties. This class is open to all experience levels.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Entomological Appearances: 19th Century Insect-Inspired Fancy-Dress Costuming, Jan. 16, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
19th-century Britons, especially women, who attended fancy-dress costume events frequently embraced attire inspired by insects. Whether buying pre-made costumes, using patterns or creating their own designs, they embellished their dress with imitations of wings, antennae, or patterning inspired by butterflies, bees, wasps, hornets and dragonflies, among others. The appeal of insect costuming coincides with heightened public enthusiasm for entomology. Join Dr. Elizabeth Howie for an engaging lecture fusing science, popular culture, fashion, and leisure.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Teach Outside the Box: Sharks, Jan. 18, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The Teach Outside the Box program offers hands-on learning for families with children ages 3–17, providing engaging instruction in the arts, horticulture, history, and science. In this session, led by Myrtle Beach Sharks, shark enthusiasts will discover how to identify different species, uncover the secrets of their ancient past and learn tips for finding shark teeth along the shoreline.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Fossils Under Our Feet, Jan. 21, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Paleontologist Ashby Gale will present an engaging exploration of South Carolina's fossil record, explaining the process of fossilization and the diverse animals found in the area. He will share different fossils collected from the Lowcountry, offering insight into Charleston’s prehistoric past and how fossils help us understand historical climate patterns.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Brookgreen 101, Jan. 23, 1 – 2 p.m.
Brookgreen 101 is a public information program offered monthly in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. The rotating topics will cover various aspects of Brookgreen Gardens, including its collections, property, history, people, poetry, art history, corporate history, founders and purposes. This month’s topic is Huntington Home Movies, Part I, with Brookgreen curator Robin Salmon.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
How to Forage Mushrooms Without Dying: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide, Jan. 24, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Brookgreen for an engaging talk by Frank Hyman, author of How to Forage Mushrooms Without Dying: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide—the essential book he wishes he’d had when starting out. This guide covers 81 species, from edible and medicinal mushrooms to artisanal finds, as well as a few that are best avoided. With nearly 60,000 copies sold, Frank’s humorous and accessible approach, along with safety tips, recipes and stunning photos, make it an essential resource for new foragers.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
The Power of Trees: A Solution to the Climate Crisis, Jan. 28, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Dr. Dominique Werboff, director of the Coastal Carolina University Arboretum, will deliver an insightful presentation exploring the role of trees as one of the most effective, efficient and vital solutions to the climate crisis. The presentation will highlight how trees combat climate change, enhance ecosystems and contribute to a sustainable future for the planet.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
