Lighting the Way: Heathcote’s Garden of Lights Shines in Its 11th Season

Each December, as dusk settles over Fort Pierce, Heathcote Botanical Gardens is transformed into a radiant wonderland, a luminous celebration of nature, creativity, and community. Now in its 11th year, the Garden of Lights returns as one of the Treasure Coast’s most anticipated holiday traditions, featuring more than one million sparkling lights, live music, local food and beverage trucks, and the unmistakable joy of the season.

Behind every shimmering tree and glowing garden path is the heart of Heathcote, the Illumination Team. This extraordinary group of volunteers spends months designing, crafting, and installing each handmade display. From playful Florida wildlife creatures to elegant floral sculptures, their artistry transforms the gardens into a dazzling landscape of color and light.

New this year is the debut of the Forest of Lights, an immersive, softly glowing woodland experience that invites guests to step into a world of enchantment, a place where imagination and nature intertwine.

Adding even more sparkle to the season, Heathcote is introducing a heartfelt community tradition called Light the Night. Each evening, one remarkable unsung will be invited to “flip the switch” and illuminate the Forest of Lights, marking the official start of that night’s festivities. Honorees may be those who have overcome challenges, served others selflessly, or inspired their community through quiet acts of kindness - a beautiful reminder that the brightest lights often shine from within.

As Heathcote approaches its 40th anniversary, its mission remains as vibrant as ever: to educate and inspire by providing a place of botanical beauty and to serve as a living resource for environmental conservation. Garden of Lights is Heathcote’s largest annual fundraiser, with every ticket purchased supporting educational programs, sustainability efforts, and future generations of nature lovers.

Make plans to experience the wonder this season. Garden of Lights runs Friday through Sunday evenings in December, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at HeathcoteBotanicalGardens.org or in the Garden Gift Shop. Come for the sparkle and leave knowing your visit helps keep the gardens blooming bright all year long.