In November, Brookgreen Gardens will offer a dynamic lineup of events and educational activities, culminating in the highly anticipated kickoff of the 25th annual Nights of a Thousand Candles, which will bring the Gardens to life with thousands of hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights.
See below for full details on this month’s programming at Brookgreen.
Nights of a Thousand Candles:
Nights of a Thousand Candles Preview Benefit, Nov. 29, 6 – 9 p.m.
Guests are invited to an exclusive event supporting future initiatives at Brookgreen Gardens on the evening before the start of Nights of a Thousand Candles. Limited tickets are available for $150 each and include beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres stationed throughout the Gardens. Ticket sales will close on Nov. 22, and tickets will not be available for purchase after that date or upon arrival. Support directly contributes to the mission of Brookgreen Gardens, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Price: Members: $150 | Non-Members: $150
Nights of a Thousand Candles, Nov. 30 – 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 will return Thursdays-Sundays from Nov. 30 to Jan. 5. 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 ceremonious 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
Exhibitions:
Brookgreen Plein Air Guild Exhibit, Now – Nov. 3, 9:30 – 5 p.m.
An exhibit of paintings by members of the Brookgreen Gardens Plein Air Guild, many of which feature scenes of Brookgreen or other outdoor locations painted onsite. This exhibition is on view daily in the Noble Gallery of the Rainey Sculpture Pavilion.
Verdant Textures: Art in Bloom, Now – Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Verdant Textures: Art in Bloom brings together a collection of works that celebrate the interplay between nature and art through rich textures and vibrant forms. This exhibition highlights the unique ways that the natural world can be interpreted using diverse artistic mediums. Meg Filiatrault’s Cyanotypes capture the essence of flora with intricate blue and white compositions, using sunlight and gathered botanicals to create delicate yet powerful prints. Kathleen V. Stuart’s work, incorporating fiber and encaustic, transforms nature into tactile, multidimensional pieces that invite interaction. Together, their works embody the beauty, complexity and vibrancy of nature, offering a fresh perspective on how art can reflect the world around us.
Treasured Holiday Memories, Nov. 29, 2024 – Jan. 5
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. Also returning are “Amusement Park and Pavilion,” evoking the views and sounds of the historic Myrtle Beach Pavilion, as well as 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 will only be running during Nights of a Thousand Candles.
Events:
Get to Know Trees – Harmony in Nature Series, Nov. 5, 10 – 11 a.m.
Dr. Dominique Werboff of Costal Carolina University leads an educational walk focused on tree anatomy, identification and care. These walks provide an engaging way to learn about trees and their role in ecosystems.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Breakfast with the Birds – Harmony in Nature Series, Nov. 5, 19, 7 – 9 a.m.
Guests are invited to join Richard Costa for an early morning bird-watching walk through the scenic Gardens, exploring the landscape while identifying various bird species. Binoculars and walking shoes are recommended, and the event will conclude with coffee and donuts.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Novel Expressions of Gullah Geechee Heritage, Nov. 6, 20, 1 – 2 p.m.
Author, performer and cultural preservationist Ron Daise will lead an engaging participatory presentation on Gullah Geechee culture. Guests will explore history, songs, beliefs and language, while also hearing excerpts from his novel, Raptors in the Ricelands, set in a fictional Gullah Geechee community.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
The Art of Terrariums: Nature in a Jar, Nov. 7, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Guests are invited to create their own miniature tropical terrarium using lush plants and moss in this hands-on class. All materials are provided, including glass jars, tropical plants, soil and natural decorations. No plant experience is needed, and all ages are welcome. Pre-registration is required due to limited seating.
Price: Members: $75 | Non-Members: $75
Aeroponics: An Overview of the New Emerging Controlled Environmental Technology with Dr. Thomas Gurley of Charleston Southern University, Nov. 12, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Visitors are invited to explore the future of agriculture with Dr. Thomas Gurley from Charleston Southern University as he delves into aeroponics, hydroponics and aquaponics. This lecture will highlight how these controlled environmental technologies are helping address global food shortages and the emergence of new Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) “farms” now supplying local grocery stores.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Tibetan Sound Bowl Meditation – Harmony in Nature Series, Nov. 12, 12 – 1 p.m.
Attendees can enjoy a serene hour of relaxation through the healing vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls. This mediative experience, set in the natural beauty of Brookgreen Gardens, is designed to promote inner peace and rejuvenation.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Secrets of Shark Teeth and Other Fossils, Nov. 14, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Visitors can discover the fascinating world of shark teeth with Charles Shelton Jr. of Myrtle Beach Shark Teeth. They will learn to identify several types of teeth and fossils through hands-on practice with real shark jaws and gain tips on how to find shark teeth and fossils. Participants are welcome to bring their own finds for identification.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Night of a Thousand Candles Photo Workshop, Nov. 19, 20, 21, 4:30 – 9 p.m.
Join photographers George DeCamp, Anne Malarich and Rick Farrell for the Night of a Thousand Candles Photo Workshop. Participants will learn professional night photography techniques, including tripod use and long exposures, while capturing the stunning light display. Come with camera knowledge, a tripod and dress for the weather. The workshop is limited to 20 participants per night, and an instructional video will be available starting November 11.
Price: Members: $60 | Non-Members: $75
Brookgreen 101, Nov. 21, 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 will be: Resting in Peace: Residents of Brookgreen Cemeteries.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
Gratitude Walk, Nov. 23, 1 – 3 p.m.
Visitors are invited to participate in a reflective walk through the serene Brookgreen Gardens Labyrinth during this season of gratitude. They will be encouraged to slow down, breathe deeply and contemplate the gifts in their life during this peaceful group walk. Afterward, they are welcome to journal or simply soak in the stillness. Close-toed shoes are suggested, and the event may be canceled due to rainfall or flooding in the Labyrinth area.
Price: Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with Garden Admission
