Fact Sheet - Magic Christmas in Lights
v Holiday Light display featuring 3 million lights, 902 set pieces in 12 scenes throughout Bellingrath Gardens and Home’s 65 acre estate garden.
v Event opens the Friday after Thanksgiving and closes New Years Eve. It is closed only on December 25th.
v Normal operating hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM are extended until 9:00 PM throughout Magic Christmas in Lights.
v Major scenes include:
- Butterflies in Flight
- Over the Rainbow
- Peace on Earth
- Emerald Forest
- Toyland
- Candyland
- Critter Cove
- Flower Walk
- The Underswater Garden
- Nativity
- Lotus Land
- The Night Before Christmas
v All set pieces and scenes are designed specifically for Bellingrath Gardens and Home. All set pieces are constructed and installed by Bellingrath’s staff.
v Every light in the show is replaced each year. Approximately 1/3 of the show is repainted, restored and re-lamped each year.
v The 2008 show will use over 14,000 light strands, 7,700 extension chords; 377,000 replacement bulbs; over 100,000 twist ties and almost 5 miles of steel.
v The Bellingrath staff works on the show throughout the year building and lamping set pieces in our own “Santa’s Workshop”. Greg Hill fabricates steel frame pieces. Sharon Whatley and her staff add lights secured with twist ties to each piece.
v California designer and former Disneyland Imagineer, Clare Graham works with Bellingrath’s Director Dr. William E. Barrick to design scenes and set pieces.
v Show installation begins Labor Day lighting walkways and shrubs throughout the Gardens. Set pieces are moved into the Gardens from mid October through mid November.
v Bellingrath Museum Home is completely decorated for the season. Guests may tour the home during the day and throughout the evening until 8:00 AM.
v There is entertainment on the South Terrace by musical groups from the area.
v Magnolia Café is open from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM for lunch and from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM for dinner. The dinner menu features local seafood favorites such as fried shrimp and seafood gumbo. Snack foods and beverages are available in the Coca Cola Trailer on Live Oak Plaza from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
v Bellingrath Gift Shop is open daily from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM and is filled with holiday gift items and decorations. A limited edition Bellingrath ornament will be is a featured item.
v Children may have their pictures taken with Santa from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM on weekends and during the week of Christmas.
v Admission: $11 for adults, $6 for children ages 5 – 12; free for children 4 and under. Members may use their membership cards for admission.
v Hotel packages for Magic Christmas in Lights are available through Mobile’s recently opened Battle House Hotel and the Riverview Plaza as well as at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear.
