What is Winter Reimagined?
Winter Reimagined, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s largest annual fund-raiser, has exploded in popularity in recent years. During the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, staff and volunteers dress the gardens and plant collection to the nines in glittering lights, handmade decorations (with materials culled from nature and the recycling bin!), and all things designed to illuminate our visitors’ mid-winter days and chase the doldrums. Much to our delight, more people than ever from far and near are discovering this is the place to be to be part of the celebration during some of New England’s longest nights.
Is Winter Reimagined the same each year?
No, we’re committed to making Winter Reimagined even better each year. If visiting during Winter Reimagined has become a tradition for you, you most certainly have noticed how dedicated New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s staff is to improving the experience each year: new lights, food offerings, children’s scavenger hunt, cocoa stations, fire pits, live music, milk jug igloo, Bromeliad tree, and so much more. Perhaps you visited the wishing tree, the subtropical conservatories, the Garden Shop, or purchased a membership for the first time. What remains the same is the spirit of celebrating light, winter, and the gardens together.
Why does New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill charge for the public to see Winter Reimagined?
Visitors, whether they realize it or not, are supporting our nonprofit’s goal to make the world a better place for people and plants. Your admission fees (as well as memberships, donations, shop and cafe purchases) help us introduce more than 2,000 urban students to the gardens each year, establish a stronger partnership with the Worcester Tree Initiative, continue advising local school gardens, build spaces such as the Garden Within Reach for people of all levels of mobility to enjoy plants up close.
Will there be traffic backups this year?
We are doing everything we can to prevent traffic backups this year. In the past during Winter Reimagined you may have noticed the large waves of people coming to see our celebration during limited hours. This sometimes left members and visitors waiting in lengthy lines. Our observations and your feedback have been invaluable as we redesign our program to make it better than ever. We’ve implemented improvements that we are sure will result in an even better Winter Reimagined experience for members and visitors, including expanded evening hours and a pre-paid ticketing system.
When is Winter Reimagined?
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill will be open for Winter Reimagined on Wednesdays through Sundays from 4 to 9 p.m. from Nov. 25 to Jan. 8. During this period, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as Dec. 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1.
How does a visitor get in to Winter Reimagined?
Admission will be by pre-paid online ticket sales only (no admission purchases at the gate). We will provide more details on the process by the end of October. Winter Reimagined is a special event, our largest annual fundraiser to support our gardens and operations. Because of this, no discounts apply, including gate passes or library passes.
Will New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill be open during the day?
Yes, between Nov. 25 and Jan. 8, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill will be open for day visitors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Normal admission policies and prices will apply. During the day visitors will be able to dine at Twigs Cafe, look for unique gifts at the Garden Shop, peruse the indoor decorations, soak in the subtropical conservatories, and take brisk hikes through the grounds. All guests must depart the property at 3 p.m. to give staff and volunteers the time needed to set up each day for Winter Reimagined. The outdoor lights will remain off each day to conserve energy until visitors with Winter Reimagined tickets begin arriving at 4 p.m.
How will members see Winter Reimagined?
Members are invited to a Members Only Night on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 4 to 9 p.m. And members are welcome to take advantage of their usual benefits during New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s daytime open hours. We are forever grateful to our members for being the heart of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill and helping this great organization grow and thrive.
What happens once Winter Reimagined concludes for the season?
Once Winter Reimagined wraps up, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill will be closed from Jan. 9 to Jan. 13 to give staff and volunteers an opportunity to clean up and prepare for upcoming events such as Winter In Bloom.
