Nights of a Thousand Candles returns to Brookgreen Gardens for the 2026-2027 holiday season
July 31, 2026
The beloved holiday tradition will take place on 21 select nights from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3
Brookgreen Gardens will welcome the return of Nights of a Thousand Candles for 21 select evenings from Nov. 27, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.
From 4 to 9 p.m. each evening, guests can walk through the Gardens amid the glow of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights. The annual event also features live holiday music, seasonal food and beverages, and a nightly tree lighting in the Arboretum. 
“Nights of a Thousand Candles has become a holiday tradition for so many families, and we are excited to welcome everyone back to Brookgreen,” said Page Kiniry, President and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens. “There is nothing quite like seeing the Gardens illuminated by thousands of candles and millions of lights. It is a special way to celebrate the season, and we look forward to sharing it with our guests again this year.”
Named the “Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina” by Travel + Leisure, Nights of a Thousand Candles gives visitors the chance to experience Brookgreen Gardens in a completely different way. Guests can explore illuminated pathways with a warm cup of cider, enjoy live entertainment throughout the evening, and celebrate the holiday season with family and friends.
Nights of a Thousand Candles will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. on the following dates:
November 2026: Nov. 27, 28 and 29
December 2026: Dec. 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30 and 31
January 2027: Jan. 1, 2 and 3
Tickets will be available for public purchase beginning August 3. Tickets are $35 for adult members and $15 for children ages 4 to 12. Non-member tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children ages 4 to 12.
The only authorized places to purchase tickets are Brookgreen Gardens’ official website and its ticketing partner, Leap Event Technology, at www.leapevents.com. Brookgreen Gardens cannot guarantee the validity of tickets purchased through any other source.
Guests may also add the Sparkle & Fun Package to their visit. The package includes a glass of wine or cider, and a pair of holographic glasses that create colorful effects around the surrounding lights. Packages may be picked up on the north terrace of the Purdy Center.
Live entertainment will be offered nightly in five 45-minute sets beginning at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. The nightly tree lighting will take place from 6 to 6:15 p.m. in the Arboretum. The full entertainment schedule and rotating food truck lineup will be announced at a later date.
Reservations are recommended for Harvest Restaurant. Guests must also have tickets to Nights of a Thousand Candles to dine at the restaurant during the event and are encouraged to dress warmly and carpool when possible.
To learn more about Nights of a Thousand Candles, visit www.brookgreen.org/
About Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and is open to the public daily. Founded in 1931 by Anna Hyatt Huntington and Archer Huntington, Brookgreen is home to the largest and most significant collection of American Figurative Sculpture in the country and continues as a leader in sculpture conservation, environmental conservation, and protection of the plants, animals, and history of the South Carolina Lowcountry. For more information, visit our website at www.brookgreen.org or call 843-235-6000.
