Cleveland Botanical Garden transforms into a fun- and activity-filled wonderland for making holiday memories

Cleveland Botanical Garden brings you home to a delightfully decorated, fun-and activity-filled wonderland for making holiday memories.

By Kristen Hampshire

The season is aglow with twinkle lights illuminating spruce holiday trees, the scent of orange and cloves, bright-berried holly and gingerbread. Cleveland Botanical Garden welcomes guests to A Garden Holiday Saturday, November 20th through Sunday, January 2nd.

This year’s celebration transforms the halls, gathering spaces and gardens into a warm, welcoming “home” for making memories, embracing the giving spirit, and learning about different customs and how nature plays into the season’s traditions. “The garden is your home away from home, and once here, we share what’s in season to serve at the table — why nuts are so popular — and a bit of interpretation of the plants we use to celebrate the holidays,” says Jillian Slane, director of exhibits and experiences, Holden Forests & Gardens.

A tree in Japanese Overlook will serve as the Wishing Tree and People for Trees display. The tree will be donated and planted at Village Family Farm in the Hough neighborhood.

Garden clubs will also create festive wreaths and outfit doors with all the dressings of the season. “The Botanical Garden’s interior spaces will be decorated like different rooms of a house, so it will feature decorated doors, and Eppig Gallery will be considered the hearth of the home,” Slane describes.

Clark Hall will include a play area for children with a slide, playhouses, crafts and other surprises.

A Garden Holiday highlights:

Get in the holiday spirit with festive decor from 37 Affiliate Garden Clubs. Take a photo in front of a stunning 16-foot tall tree with handcrafted decorations. Enjoy indoor and outdoor play areas with games, imaginative play, holiday décor, and crafts. Vote for your favorite gingerbread creation. Discover different conifer stories on the Geis Terrace. Contribute your wish for 2022 to our Wishing Tree. Take photos throughout the garden, for holiday cards and creating memories.

Be sure to get outside this year to experience a festive display on the terrace complete with various activities for the whole family. On weekends during the show — and every day between Dec. 20 - Dec 31 — outdoor activities will include hot cocoa story time, marshmallow roasting, community crafts and more!

Breakfast with Santa

Sunday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to Noon. The cost for members is $28 for adults, $22.50 for children three and older, and for non-members: $40 for adults, $25 for children three and older. Advance ticket purchase is required.

Indoor play area with games, imaginative play, and crafts.