December 26 and December 27

3:30-5 pm

Give your Gardens Aglow experience a glow-up! Enjoy early access to parking and exclusive entry to a private room in the Auto Gallery where you’ll find cozy, lodge-inspired décor and a warm, après-ski-style atmosphere. Sip on mulled wine, spiked cider, or a festive mocktail and savor a charcuterie board featuring seasonal bites perfect for sharing with family and friends. With its inviting atmosphere, delicious refreshments, and spirit of comfort and camaraderie, this pre-event experience is the perfect way to gather, sip, and unwind before stepping into the glow of the evening. A limited number of tickets will be available for this exclusive experience, available by advance sale only.

Ticket holders have exclusive access to the Auto Gallery from 3:30-4:30 pm, and use of the private room until 5 pm. They may then experience the rest of the Gardens Aglow event starting at 4:30 pm, which features beautiful light displays throughout the gardens, festive seasonal décor, and fun activities for all.

This program ticket includes admission to Gardens Aglow (see event information here). The Avant Glow experience takes place in the Heald Center, located inside the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery. We expect tickets for this program to sell out quickly.

Program fees fund Heritage’s mission to inspire people of all ages to explore, discover, and learn together. Thank you for your support. Program Registration Fee: $70 per person ages 3 and over, Children 2 and under: Free*

(*Note that it is required to register for tickets for children 2 and under even though there is no charge for the tickets in order to provide an accurate count of event attendance.)

Ticket Information

Advance ticket purchases are required. We expect all dates to sell out quickly. All tickets are date specific, and attendance for this special event is limited to provide a safe, high-quality experience for all. Tickets are non-refundable, and are only valid for the date for which they are purchased.

Avant Glow and Gardens Aglow take place in all weather conditions, including rain or snow. A night will only be canceled if a major weather event presents a risk to safety. If a night must be cancelled due to severe weather or other emergency, all ticket holders will be notified via email and will be automatically refunded as the event will not be able to be rescheduled.

Tickets are valid for entry any time after 3:20 pm. Please have paper tickets or e-tickets available on your mobile device upon arrival for access to parking and entry to the program.

If your plans change, you may email [email protected] or call 508-888-3300, ext. 0 to inquire about the possibility of an exchange to a different available date. Exchanges are not guaranteed. Refunds are not issued for unused tickets.

By purchasing tickets, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the conditions of the Ticketing, Cancellation, and Refund Policy. Please read this policy here in its entirety before purchasing tickets.

Please be aware that any tickets that are obtained from third party sources and not purchased directly from Heritage Museums & Gardens may be counterfeit, and, if so, will not be accepted for entry.

Health and Safety Information

Please click here for more information about our health and safety practices.

Event Information

Elevate your evening at Avant Glow, where you can enjoy early entry, festive drinks, and seasonal bites in a cozy, après-ski-style lounge from 3:30-5 pm, before stepping into the sparkle of the Gardens Aglow event, which features beautiful light displays throughout the gardens, festive seasonal décor, and fun activities for all.

Please note that specific event elements are subject to change without notice as weather or public safety demands. Refunds will not be issued due to any changes made to specific event offerings in response to weather or public health situations. At this time, Gardens Aglow is planned to include:

• The Shop at Heritage featuring unique holiday gifts, festive attire, and more
• The J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery, featuring:
  • An exhibit of Heritage’s antique and classic car collection
• The American Art & Carousel Gallery, featuring:
  • An exhibit of winter-themed Currier & Ives prints and other objects from Heritage’s collection
  • Photos with the 1908 Looff carousel
• Lighted gardens and outdoor features, including:
  • The Hydrangea Pathway
  • The McGraw Family Garden of the Senses
  • The Old East Mill
  • The Flume Field
  • The Hydrangea Gardens (Cape Cod Hydrangea Society Display Garden and North American Hydrangea Test Garden)
  • The Wing House Lawn
  • The Labyrinth
  • The Parade Field
• Outdoor activities, including:
  • Reindeer Scavenger Hunt
  • Marshmallow roasting at the fire pits
  • Outdoor G-scale model train display, featuring elements made of natural materials (operation weather dependent)
  • Fun photo opportunities at the Outdoor Stage, Rhodie Grove, and more
  • The Polar PlaySpace at the Parade Field, featuring:
    • Cape Cod Donuts food truck with seating
    • Warming area
    • Imagination Playground giant building blocks
  • Piped holiday music throughout the grounds
• Lilly’s Café offering holiday treats, light meals, snacks, and hot and cold drinks (including adult beverages) 

For answers to other Frequently Asked Questions, click here. 

Final Review

Remember - tickets are date specific and specify a required timed arrival window. Please be sure to check the date and time selected on the calendar before purchasing.