The long-awaited Holiday Lights in the Gardens will welcome the holiday season this week and will be opened to the public on Friday, Nov. 23, and run through Jan. 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. each night. Admission for the event is a recommended minimum donation of $2 per person and free for children younger than 12.

Strolling through the shining botanical gardens is a community tradition, with more than 500,000 environmentally friendly twinkling LED lights, an all-new laser light show and an expansion of lights into the new vinery garden and fountains at McKay Creek.

Other events scheduled during the Holiday Lights event include a gift and plant sale Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a dog parade Dec. 29 starting at 1 p.m.

To spread the joy of the lights to others and volunteer for a night, alone or with friends. contact the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation office at (727) 582-2117.

The Florida Botanical Gardens, located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo, showcases gardens of tropical plants, roses, fruits, herbs, hibiscus, bromeliads and more. The gardens are open every day from 7 a.m. until dusk. Admission is free during daylight hours.

The Botanical Bounty gift store in the Parks and Conservation Resources building is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. 

For more information about the Florida Botanical Gardens, visit www.flbg.org or call (727) 582-2100.

For more information on Pinellas County services and programs, visit www.pinellascounty.org, now with LiveChat, or create a shortcut to www.pinellascounty.org/mobile on any smartphone. Pinellas County government is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.