It’s that time of year again, when it starts to get more and more cold out, and people begin to set out their decorations to join in on celebrating the coming and present holiday season. However, some may not want to brave the cold to get their aging decorations out, just to take them down again in a month, or so as to not risk getting hypothermia or slipping on ice. But, these people may still want to enjoy the colorful holiday lights that make the city, and its sleepy neighborhoods, glow and come alive at night. So, what do they do?

The Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights event, at Wellfield Botanic Gardens, is sure to chase away the holiday blues, and fill the need that some may have to view and be among the festivities and vibrant holiday lights. The normally lush and vibrant garden space is transformed into a magical, winter paradise, complete with, of course, the aforementioned lights, along with unique, beautiful displays, and hot beverages for both children and adults–accompanied by music to fully transport guests into the seemingly magical winter wonderland.

The gardens and its gate closes at 5 p.m. for general admission guests, then is later reopened at 5:30 p.m. for the event. Tickets and entry is available all the way up until, but no later than, 8:09 p.m.; the lights are then turned off at 8:49 p.m., and all guests must leave so that the gardens can close for the night at 8:59 p.m. Wellfield hosts this event from Dec. 17-23, and also on Dec. 26, while being closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas itself. Children under 3 years old get in free, while the tickets for children from 3 to 12 years old cost $7, and tickets for the adults cost $12.

Wellfield Botanic Gardens normally looks lively and inviting during the spring and summer, but to experience the gardens like this during the winter with all the lights set up will make visitors feel like they are experiencing the gardens for the first time all over again. “I’ve never been while it’s all lit up [for the holidays], but I love the holidays, and from what I’ve seen, the gardens look beautiful, so I’d love to go,” says Elora Cline, Elkhart High senior, truly attesting to the wonderment guests and observers alike experience with respectively experiencing or seeing the gardens alike.

Be sure not to miss out on this incredible experience that can only come once a year!