Along with school back in session and temperatures cooling down, another key sign that fall is coming is Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' annual Gardens Aglow ticket launch. From September 10, Aglow fans can snap up their preferred dates for this year's seasonal spectacular.

Inspired by nature's cycles, this year's theme, Nature in Motion, will excite guests as they discover glowing versions of native Maine critters hidden throughout the route. In addition to the popular lit sculptures, the Gardens have invited Portland-based PORTL& to create immersive nature installations in three locations.

“PORTL& is excited to reimagine spaces with new technologies for the upcoming 2025 Gardens Aglow. Incorporating biodegradable thermoplastic and overwater lasers, PORTL& brings a little extra sparkle to an already magical event. We blur the lines between reality, technology, and magic.” Describes Faye Warner, Co-Founder of PORTL&.

Gretchen Ostherr, President and CEO of the Gardens, shares, "Every year, a handful of guests ask us, 'What happens here in the summer?’ Our hope is that this year's display will not only enchant as it always has, but that it also inspires guests to come back in the summer to experience the real-life ecosystems depicted in our lightshow. From amphibian migrations in the spring to the butterfly lifecycle through the summer, nature's movement really is the most spectacular show.”

For the second year, the Gardens will have two pricing tiers. Guests are encouraged to beat the crowds and save by visiting during Early Bird days before Thanksgiving. Guests attending Nov. 15 – 26 can secure adult tickets for $19, seniors and veterans for $17, and children ages 3-17 for $10. Ticket prices from Nov. 29 – Jan. 3 are $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and veterans, and $13 for children ages 3-17. Members save 20% on both standard and Early Bird prices. Children under the age of 3 get in free. For more information on pricing and ticket availability, visit GardensAglow.org.

Extend your stay and enjoy all that the region offers with Boothbay Lights. A convenient Park and Ride shuttle runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Boothbay Harbor Town Office to the Gardens, allowing guests to experience Boothbay Harbor's shopping, dining, and lodging delights before and after the light show. For a complete calendar of regional offerings, the robust slate of Boothbay Lights events, and Park and Ride details, visit www.boothbaylights.com.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens thanks L.L.Bean for their generous support of Gardens Aglow. For those interested in sponsoring Gardens Aglow in 2025, inquiries should be directed to Betsy Hills, Annual Fund & Membership Manager, at BHills@mainegardens.org or 207.633.8013.

About Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. With two miles of hiking trails, 19 acres of ornamental and themed gardens featuring native plants of Maine and those suited to northern coastal conditions, nearly a mile of saltwater frontage, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more, there’s something for everyone. A true Maine experience, the Gardens is committed to connecting people to nature, preserving the biodiversity of the Maine coast, and continuing to be a place accessible and welcoming to all. The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where every member of our community is valued, respected, and appreciated. We acknowledge that a society is stronger, more resilient, and more beautiful when it is diverse. We are committed to identifying and striving to eliminate barriers that, historically, have prevented the full participation of communities most impacted by inequity. Learn more at www.mainegardens.org.

About PORTL&

PORTL& exists to uplift artists, inspire communities, and reimagine Maine’s role in the future of creative culture. As designers and producers of immersive installations, events, and experiences, PORTL& offers creative services to businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and artists alike. Through meaningful collaboration, they aim to grow the arts economy and prove creativity is the foundation of a thriving state. They craft immersive experiences built around story—not just spectacle. They create spaces where people don’t just play; they feel, remember, and reflect.

PORTL& is led by four artists who believe powerful experiences come from deep collaboration across disciplines. Faye brings a curator’s eye and a producer’s mind, orchestrating visuals, people, and plans into striking, heartfelt moments. Joe engineers the impossible, crafting physical and digital magic from scratch with the precision of a seasoned art fabricator. Sara carries the heartbeat of performance, choreographing emotions, stories, and movement to create unforgettable interactions. And Darrel merges code and creativity, designing immersive tech-driven spaces that resonate just as strongly as paint on canvas. Together, they turn wild ideas into real-world experiences which reshape reality—they’re a collective of creators who bring immersive stories to life with soul, sweat, and circuitry.

Learn more at www.portalsofportland.com