Love Christmas Lights? Maine Has One of the Best Displays in the Country

U.S. News & World Report listed this Maine Christmas light display in 2024, as one of the best in the nation.

If you've been, you may have already guessed that making the U.S. News & World Report's list of best Christmas light displays in the country is Gardens Aglow in Boothbay, Maine. What a perfect accolade to celebrate its 10th anniversary. It's also been named one of the top 10 Botanical Garden Holiday Lights displays in the country in 2022 by USA Today.

Coastal Maine Botanical Garden's 'Gardens Aglow' will become a Christmas tradition

The festive light show brings 14 acres of gardens to life with 750,000 L.E.D. lights. The trail you follow is almost a mile long, and it's absolutely beautiful. Pro tip: dress warm and in layers.

They have such a dedicated staff that design and install the lights every year and it wouldn't happen without them. But you do need to not only get tickets, you need to pick the time you want to go. They do timed events so that the crowds are manageable and everyone can truly enjoy the light show.

Gardens Aglow keeps on growing!

Back in 2015 for Gardens Aglow's first year, 30 staff members strung 200,000 LED lights - over 14 miles of lights, laid end-to-end - and the display had more than 36,000 visitors. This year 100 staff and volunteers strung 750,000 LED lights - over 66 miles of lights. There are over 300 lighted sculptures, all created by hand including three moose, a ruby-throated hummingbird, several ducks, geese, a fox, a turtle, two owls, a dragonfly, 250 flowers, and two dozen assorted mushrooms.

Make Gardens Aglow in Boothbay, Maine a family tradition.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens expects around 110,000 visitors this year. During COVID-19, this event became a drive-thru. It was great to have that, but it is so much better to walk through the gardens to get up close and immersed in all they've done to make this so special.

It takes 3 months to set up Maine's 'Gardens Aglow'

It takes the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens team 12 weeks to set up the display and 10 weeks to take it down. So funny that it takes less time to take it all down than to set it all up. Makes sense, because the same thing happens with your Christmas tree. Takes forever to decorate it and 3 minutes to take it all down!

Don't miss out and get your tickets today!