Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina

Ernie and I were looking for someplace to see Christmas lights and decorations and lo and behold we came across Brookgreen Gardens Nights of a Thousand Candles. Sounded like just the right idea.

Friends Cynthia and Byron joined us for the trip down from Little River SC. Only an hours drive.
What a fantastic day!

It turns out the 6000 acre estate has a portion with bronze and marble statues galore. The collection
contains over 1400 works by 350 artists. Amazingly beautiful pieces of art. And for 3 weekends, they add 4500 candle lights, 2200 luminaries, 1000 pillar candles, and 500 floating candles. With volunteers keeping them lit for each event nights. There are also approx 1,000,000 LED lights of which 72K are on the holiday tree, and 65K hang in Live Oak Alley. They have 5 miles of extension cords. Live music all night in 3 forums, and bag pipes
wandering throughout as well. Oh my!

The result is just spectacular. and our photography doesn't do it justice.

New forever friends Cynthia and Byron:

Ernie with Bronze Bear:

Live oak alley before the nightfall.

 

Live Oak Alley at dusk; gets even better after dark.

 Ernie's favorite named "The Reacher"

 Bette's favorite bronze sculpture:

5 bronze sculptures in the pond below with lights reflected in the pond.

Check out the Gardens in persons, or take a tour on-line.

https://www.brookgreen.org/NightsofaThousandCandles.html