Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow, Holiday Blooms, Breakfast with Santa

Franklin Park Conservatory lights up with Holiday spirit and a whole schedule of holiday fun during the holiday season. Start a tradition of visiting FPC for Conservatory Aglow and Holiday Blooms.

You can also enjoy the other offerings such as live music, gingerbread display, and more during the Christmas season.

Conservatory Aglow returns this holiday season with both new and classic displays to shine a light on Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This holiday lights exhibition runs from Saturday, November 23, 2024 – Sunday, January 5, 2025.

The daytime experience, Holiday Blooms, will be open 10am-4pm and during Conservatory Aglow. Separate tickets are required for Conservatory Aglow, which is open 5-9pm. Reservations are strongly recommended. Popular ticket times will sell out. 

Holiday Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory

The inside of the Conservatory is full of holiday magic. Delight in extravagantly themed vignettes featuring hundreds of colorful, unique poinsettias and the famous 10’ poinsettia tree. 

Outdoors in the Grand Mallway and Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden, container gardens are creatively styled for the winter, as you make your way to the lit up Paul Busse Garden Railway.

The Paul Busse Garden Railway is now a full-scale exhibition transformed into a holiday destination decorated with glowing lights. 

Let the music of the season bring cheer to your Holiday Blooms experience on select dates in December with Holiday Performances. All performances will begin at 2pm, providing a background of musical entertainment.

No audience seating will be provided for these performances. Performances included with admission. See schedule here.

Holiday Blooms is included with general admission, and are on display through January 5, 2025. Tickets are available to reserve online now; reservations are highly recommended.

Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory

The evening Conservatory experience will be twinkling, glowing, and magical thanks to thousands of lights presented in stunning outdoor displays.

See new displays such as lights synchronized to holiday music, and immersive light displays. Get active with outdoor illuminated games and a dance celebration, or enjoy some family time playing tabletop games in festive outdoor igloos.

Other returning favorites include musical light show, larger-than-life Gingerbread House, the wintry color themed Light Tunnel, Ornament Trees, and the whimsical Whirly Tree.

This year, the lights and sights extend into the interior Conservatory! Paths of candlelight lead guests through the biomes and past Dale Chihuly’s illuminated installations. You can roam the entire facility during Conservatory Aglow, so you’ll enjoy all of the exhibitions throughout the property.

Enjoy refreshments sold by rotating food trucks and cash bars from 5-9pm each evening.

Live Entertainment during Conservatory Aglow

From 6-9 pm on select evenings, musicians, acrobats, ice carvers, dancers and more will put on roaming or walk by performances during Conservatory Aglow. See full schedule here, or select options below.

December 20 and 21: Santa & Live Reindeer
Monday, December 23, 6-8pm: Christmas Tree Sway Pole

Musical Performances at Conservatory Aglow

Starting at 7pm on select dates, a variety of musical guests will perform indoors.

Saturday, November 23: Magpie Consort
Tuesday, November 26: Vaud Villities
Saturday, November 30: Trista Hill & Phil Maneri
Friday, December 6: Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus
Saturday, December 7: Gahanna Community Chorus
Saturday, December 14: EFlat Jazz Band
Sunday, December 15: Bryden String Quarte
Tuesday, December 31: Arch City Big Band (6-9pm)

courtesy of Franklin Park Conservatory

Conservatory Aglow is an after-hours special engagement and is not included with general admission. 

Special Engagement Admission Rates for Conservatory Aglow

Conservatory Aglow Evening Admission Rates (5-9pm)
General Admission (ages 13–59): $26.50
Seniors (ages 60+): $22.50
Children (ages 3-12): $16
Museums for All (SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid Participants)2: $3

Conservatory Aglow Evening Member Rates (5-9pm)
Member (ages 13–59): $13.25, (ages 60+): $11.25, (ages 3-12): $8

Membership benefits

Become a member today to enjoy your favorite Special Engagements at half the cost. Plus, every visit during General Admission is free. Members also receive discounts at Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse & the Garden Café, access to exclusive events and reciprocal membership to 400+ gardens around the US.

$37.50 Access Memberships are available to those who qualify.

Member Holiday Party & Preview Nights

It’s a great time to become a member at Franklin Park Conservatory! Members get 1/2 priced admission to special engagements, and they can visit Conservatory Aglow first!

Reservations are required for these special member nights – they WILL fill up!

FPC Member Holiday Party

November 22 from 5 pm – 9 pm. The entire Conservatory will be open for members to explore. Refreshments will be available from the Garden Café, Aloha Tacos food truck and a cash bar. Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse is offering 20% off all regularly priced merchandise for members. 

Conservatory Aglow Member Appreciation Nights

November 25, 26, and 27: Members get FREE admission to Conservatory Aglow on these preview nights. Advance reservations strongly recommended, Preview Nights will fill up quickly.

Details about these events and registration, HERE. 

Holiday Programming and Exhibits

Annual Gingerbread Competition and Display

December 1-30, 2024
Consider yourself a gingerbread architect? Enter the Conservatory’s Annual Gingerbread Competition. Guests can view the creations during Holiday Blooms and Conservatory Aglow in December, and vote on their favorite! Click here for details.

Pre-Hanukkah Celebration

December 17, 2024
Celebrate Hanukkah, the “Festival of Lights,” with fun children’s crafts, engaging activities, and live entertainment as you learn about the holiday’s traditions. In partnership with the Jewish Community Center.

The evening will feature a public menorah lighting at 7 p.m., with all other activities running throughout the event from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

To attend, guests should reserve tickets for Conservatory Aglow on December 17. Details. 

Jingle Brews

December 5, 2024

Treat that special someone or join friends at a special adults-only stroll through Conservatory Aglow. Enjoy free festive drink samples from several local vendors and grab a snack from food trucks onsite.

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing: Midwest Goodbye Winter Lager
Seventh Son: Fox in the Stout + Kitty Paw Grape
Downeast Cider: Winter Blend
Columbus Brewing Company: Columbus IPA
Saucy Brew Works: 3 Ho’s

The event is from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm and requires advanced tickets. $35/person ($30 for members)

Holiday programming for families at Franklin Park Conservatory 

Conservatory admission is not included with any of the following programming. You must register for General Admission tickets for the Conservatory, as well as any special events that require registration. 

Sweet Turkeys Program
Wednesday, November 27 from 11 am – 2 pm
This visitor favorite program is back at the Conservatory! Listen to a story about the turkey that got away, and make a turkey-shaped sweet treat. Registration is $5 for the entire experience and spots are limited. Registration is required for all guests, including members!

Create a Gingerbread House
Friday, November 29 from 11 am – 4 pm
Head to The Wells Barn for an afternoon of gingerbread fun! Create a mini gingerbread house with graham crackers, icing and candy. Guests must register for a time slot in advance, based on how many houses a group wants to create. The fee is $10 per gingerbread house.

Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory
December 14-15, and December 21-22, 2024 from 8 am – 12 pm
Registrations are required for all guests, including members, and are available now!

“Catch” your breakfast from Katie’s Pancakes who will be onsite flipping pancakes. Enjoy all the pancakes and sausage you can eat, plus fresh orange juice or coffee and a visit with the big guy himself, Santa! 

 Kids are encouraged to bring a letter to Santa that they can drop in his bag. Registration costs are $25 per guest, $18 per child (3-12) and free for children 2 years and under. 

A reservation to Breakfast with Santa does not include admission to the Conservatory. If guests would like to visit the Conservatory they should reserve tickets online or at the Visitor Center. 

Christmas Break Entertainment

The Conservatory does an amazing jobs at offering fun and engaging programming between Christmas and New Years for families. Included with admission; no reservations required.

Thursday, December 26 at 11 am and 2 pm: The Great Dean O comedy magic show for ages 3-7
Friday, December 27 at 11 am and 2 pm: Comedy Juggling Show with Matt Jergens
Saturday, December 28 at 11 am and 2 pm: Realm of the Reptiles 
Sunday, December 29 at 11 am and 2 pm: The “Super-Duper” Magic Show with Erica Carlson and her hedgehog Hedgie
Monday, December 30 at 11 am and 2 pm: Ohio School of Falconry

Noon Years Eve!

Saturday, December 31, 2024 from 11 am – 1 pm
Goodbye 2024, hello 2025! Make a party hat, play some games and get ready to dance as we do a celebratory countdown with a one-of-a-kind bubble stomp. So everyone can celebrate, we’ll do it all again with a countdown to 1pm. Details.

Shop at the Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse

The Botanica Gift Shop features plenty of great gifts, including nature-themed decorations for the home, as well as unique plants, pottery, terrariums, stationery, jewelry and children’s toys and books.

Open daily during regular hours, with extended hours on select days. Members always get 10% off. Upcoming sales listed below!

Hot Shop Sale: November 9-10. Glass artwork from the Hot Shop is 50% off. Limit one per customer.

Pop-Up Holiday Ornament Shop: November 29- December 1 from 10am-4pm
Shop for beautiful glass ornaments and holiday-themed glass items. All of the products for sale are hand-crafted in the Conservatory’s Hot Shop or by local artists.

In-person art and gardening programs

A select number of art, culinary, and gardening programs for adults are available virtual and on-site at an additional fee. See the options on the calendar. These make great gifts!

Admission to the Franklin Park Conservatory

Regular admission for 10 am – 5 pm (4 pm during Conservatory Aglow)

• $23.50 for adults (ages 13-59)
• $19.50 for seniors (60+)
• $16 for children (ages 3-12)
• Free for 2 years and under

Franklin Park Conservatory discounts

Community Days at the Conservatory: On the first Sunday of each month, the Conservatory will be free for residents of Franklin County and the City of Columbus during regular operating hours of 10am to 5pm. November 3, December 1, January 5, February 2.

This does not apply to special engagements like Conservatory Aglow

Columbus Member Advantage discount: Members of select attractions and museums in Columbus will receive a $3 discount at Franklin Park Conservatory through the Columbus Member Advantage program. 

Partners include: Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus, Ohio History Center & Ohio Village, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Pizzuti Collection, Wexner Center for the Arts.

Educator, Military & Student Discounts: Take 10% off any membership category if you are a full-time, active educator or an active or retired military personnel. Present current teacher or military identification at the Visitor’s Center to qualify for this discount. Students (with valid ID) receive 10% off the Individual membership.

FPC Culture passes at the Library: Conservatory Membership Cards are available for checkout at the Martin Luther King and Shepard branches of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. With an active library card, patrons can check out a temporary Conservatory membership card that will grant up to two adults and six children free admission to the Conservatory for 2 days.

Access Pass discounts: The Conservatory provides special discounts to qualifying families to make programming and special events available to all. See website for specific discounts

Franklin Park Conservatory
1777 E Broad St
Columbus, Oh 43203
The Conservatory is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

photo via Franklin Park Conservatory

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