Midsummer Night’s Gleam returning to Foster Botanical Garden!

Dazzling event returns to the storied Downtown garden for the first time in five years

O‘AHU – As daylight begins to fade on July’s third Saturday, a dazzling spectacle will be on full display in Downtown Honolulu’s lushest garden array!

The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation’s Honolulu Botanical Gardens (HBG) staff are proud to announce the return of Midsummer Night’s Gleam at Foster Botanical Garden from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. For the first time in five years, the City’s oldest botanical garden will host a plethora of family-friendly activities, colorful performances, and thousands of spectacular light displays for everyone to enjoy!

In anticipation of eager attendees returning to the Gleam by the thousands, registration for the Gleam will be conducted using the Parks and Recreation Online System (PROS) at pros.hnl.info

To find the specific registration listings click on the “Activities” section of the PROS homepage, and search “Gleam”. From now until July 18 at 9 p.m. online registration will be available to ensure you get a spot at this amazing event! Tots (age 0-5 years old) have free entry, Keiki (ages 6-17 years old) cost just $1 per kid, and Adults (18+) are $3 each. Non-reservation entry is available, but very limited. Attendees with reservations can either print or show their reservation on their smartphone.

The botanical garden will be closed from 12 noon until 3 p.m. on the day of the Gleam for set up prior to the event. Regular botanical garden rules apply during the Gleam, including no tables, animals (other than service animals), or smoking.  Picnicking is encouraged, as you can bring in your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Bug spray is recommended, and please no high-back chairs. We want to make this experience as enjoyable for everyone as possible!

If you can’t bring your own picnic, no worries, we’ll have plenty of food vendors within the garden to keep your ‘ōpū (belly) happy. With this year’s theme of “Tanabata Star Festival,” those attending are encouraged to place their wishes upon one of two Tanabata Trees located as you enter the garden. In addition to food and wishing upon our garden stars, there is no shortage of engaging activities and exciting performances to enjoy throughout the 14-acre garden:                 

Of course, the main attraction is the thousands of lights and luminaries whisking their way around the carefully curated garden, and its newly improved pathways! This includes the unforgettable light tunnel, all scheduled to be illuminated just before sunset.

Parking within Foster Botanical Garden will be restricted, except for those with ADA-parking needs. Free public parking is generously being offered at nearby Kauluwela Elementary School while space lasts. Additional street parking will be limited, with no street-side parking along Vineyard Boulevard. Attendees are encouraged to utilize public transportation, carpool, or car-share to minimize vehicular traffic. Paid public parking for the event is available at the: Smith-Beretania Municipal Lot, Chinatown Cultural Plaza Garage, Hale Pauahi, and Kukui Plaza.

For more information about this amazing event, including an event and parking map, please visit the special Midsummer Night’s Gleam dedicated website: bit.ly/MidsummerGleam

Mahalo to the hundreds of volunteers and dozens of participating organizations, vendors, and performers helping to make the return of the Gleam a night to remember! For more information please call 808-768-7135 or email hbg@honolulu.gov

We hope to see you at Foster Botanical Garden for the return of a Midsummer Night’s Gleam!

—PAU—

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YouTube: bit.ly/DPRyoutube    Twitter: @honolulu_parks   Instagram: @honolulu_parks 

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