What is summer light: art by night?
Summer Light: Art by Night is Brookgreen Garden’s summer evening showcase. They light up the park with vibrant color and accompanying music for a whole new experience. It’s only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays until August 26. Season passholders get tickets for $20/adult and $12/child (kids under 4 are free). For non-members the prices are $25/adult and $15/child.
should you bring the kids?
Yes! Overall I think this is an excellent event to experience as a family. It is way less crowded than Night of 1000 Candles at Christmas and the weather is a little more predictable. We’ve got a few tips for exploring Summer Light: Art by Night as a family with young kids.
what to expect
There are 12 unique installations throughout the gardens. Each has a different theme, look and feel so you don’t want to miss anything. They also change it up a little each year so it’s def something to do even if you’ve been before.
You’ll receive a map with the exhibits listed by number and location. If you haven’t been to Brookgreen before then it might take a little while to orient yourself but there are volunteers to help with directions.
There is also live music and a couple of food vendors. These vary by date so check out those details on Brookgreen Garden’s page.
The event opens at 6pm and lasts until 10pm. The park is always beautiful but the viewing experience is much better when it’s dark. I’ll talk more about this below.
when to get there
HOURS | The event is from 6p-10p but the sky doesn’t really get dark until nearly 9pm. IMO, the younger your kids are the later you should go! If they’re older and have a bit more energy and patience then go earlier to have more time there and to enjoy the music.
I think 7–7:30p is probably a good time to have some daylight but not burn all their energy and excitement before the sun even sets.
some quick tips & recommendations
GO SEE THE MUSIC & GRAB FOOD EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER | Use some of your daylight time to enjoy this while waiting for the sun to set.
SEE THE SUNSET | Be along the back wall (in the Poetry Garden & “Beyond the Garden Wall”) when the sun is setting. It is phenomenal.
IT COULD BE A HOT NIGHT | We’ve gone in June and it hasn’t been too hot but July and into August, the evenings are still so hot. Just something to note when deciding how to dress and if you’ll need to carry all your kids water bottles!
HAVE A GOOD KEEP TRACK OF THE KIDS SYSTEM AFTER DARK | It’s easy enough to lose track of the kids for a minute as they joyfully run through Brookgreen. Mine like to round corners and find secret tunnels at the first opportunity. So imagine them doing that … and it’s dark … and crowded (but not nearly as busy as Night of 1000 Candles).
KNOW THE LAY OF THE LAND | If you’ve been to Brookgreen before then knowing the general layout of the gardens is very helpful. If you haven’t been then no worries. The map is great and there are volunteers everywhere to direct you.
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