See Lights in Bloom illuminate Selby Gardens

The display is made up of 2 million individual lights across the botanical gardens' downtown Sarasota campus.

By Ian Swaby
| 10:00 a.m. December 7, 2023

Lights in Bloom is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Each year, the number of Christmas lights in Marie Selby Botanical Gardens grows, said president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki.

This year, the display at Selby's downtown Sarasota campus includes over 2 million lights. Although the display will be unveiled to the general public on Dec. 8, an exclusive preview on Dec. 6 offered an opportunity for a sneak preview of the holiday spectacle.

Features Rominiecki highlighted in the display, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of Lights in Bloom, include new walkthrough, light-up flower displays on the Great Lawn, a field of flowers on the bayfront lawn, and a tunnel repurposed to be adorned with butterfly decor.

"Every year, everyone looks forward to experiencing the lights with their family. It has become such a tradition and a way to ring in the holidays," Rominiecki said.

"It was so fantastical and uplifting," said preview attendee Wells Willis.

"We really enjoyed it; it's beautiful," said her husband, David Willis. "We hope a lot of people come."

Camille Cianfaglione, 5, looks up at a towering Christmas tree.

Elizabeth Moore and John Knowles explore the grounds.

Mason Peduzzi, 7, greets the fish in the pond.

Lisl Liang and Wes Roberts look out at Sarasota Bay.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.