Holidays at Bok Tower Gardens is an annual celebration and features over a month of special activities and events for all ages. In 2021, these special events will take place between November 25 – January 2. Bok Tower Gardens is open on Thanksgiving Day as well as Christmas Day.
Holidays at Bok Tower Gardens
This year’s theme is Let Your Spirit Soar, a holiday celebration that features beautiful displays of poinsettias, begonias, evergreens, and more. Learn about Edward Bok’s legacy of peace at an outdoor exhibit located around the Oval Lawn.
Thanksgiving Day in the Gardens
Thursday, November 25| Concerts at 1PM & 3PM | Last car admitted at 5PM | Free for members, included in general admission.
Opening at 10:00 AM, spend a day of celebrating the year’s blessings at the Gardens, highlighted by two carillon concerts of Thanksgiving.
Critter Christmas at Pinewood
Tucker and Tilly, the Pinewood Estate squirrels, have invited their forest friends to bring the spirit of the holidays outdoors. Fun for the entire family, Tucker & Tilly will be hiding in the estate’s gardens. Pick up your Critter Christmas Guide and find each of these forest friends. Complete the hunt and present your guide for a treat at The Shop at Bok.
Discover Roselle Hibiscus
Saturday, November 27 | 10-12 PM | Free for members, included in general admission.
Stop by the Outdoor Kitchen between 10a.m.-12 p.m. to sample Roselle Hibiscus, grown right here in our Outdoor Kitchen Garden. Used throughout the Caribbean as a festive Christmas Sorrel drink, come and sample the tangy flavors of this African native plant and discover why it was known to Florida pioneers as the Florida Cranberry. No registration required.
Monarchs, Migration, and More
Wednesday, December 1 | 1-2 PM | Free for members, included in general admission.
Review the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly with Elaine Berner who has spent more than four decades studying and supporting the Monarch. Through her presentation in the Alexander Discovery Center, we will take a quick visit to the overwintering site in el Rosario, Mexico. After the class, learn how to use iNaturalist so you can be a citizen scientist by helping to track the Monarch migration. Make your reservation here.
Ring the Holidays Concert featuring Holly Cordero and the Silver Bells Big Band
Friday, December 10 | 7-9 PM |$20 for members, $25 non-members.
Steamin Jazz presents their sensation holiday big band, “Silver Bells Big Band featuring timeless holiday classics like “Let it Snow” and “Blue Christmas” with classic jazz flair and swinging solos! Read more about Ring the Holidays Concert.
Hiking Around the World at Bok
Friday, December 17 | 4-5 PM | Included with Concert Tickets or Membership
As we hike through the gardens, we will explore plants from around the world that are growing here in the Gardens. We will also look at different architectural and landscape design elements that inspired the beauty of the gardens. Make your reservation here.
Ring the Holidays Concert featuring Paul Gavin and Mosaic
Friday, December 17 | 7-9 PM | $20 for members, $35 non-members.
Enjoy “A Jazz Christmas Party” with drummer and bandleader Paul Gavin and Mosaic with special guests Valerie Gillespie & Bryan Hughes.
Children’s Natural Ornament Making
December 11, 18, 22 | 10:30-12 PM | Free for members, included in general admission.
Drop by Hammock Hollow with your children to make an all-natural, decorative ornament to take home. Supplies will be available between 10:30am-12:00pm in the Doodle Bug Art Place. Allow approximately 15-20 minutes for your child to complete this activity.
Christmas Day in the Gardens
Friday, December 25 | Gardens Open at 10 AM & the last car is admitted at 5:00 PM | Free for members, included in general admission.
Celebrate Christmas Day against the festive backdrop of red and green holiday foliage. Enjoy holiday music favorites with carillon concerts at 1 PM and 3 PM.
New Year’s Day in the Gardens
Friday, January 1 | Concerts at 1 PM & 3 PM | Free for members, included in general admission.
Start your New Year’s Resolutions with fresh air and a hike. Enjoy two carillon concerts featuring holiday favorites at 1 PM and 3 PM.
More Info & Tickets
To find out more about all of these events, and a few others, click here
