Experience the wonder of the holidays at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the annual Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition, on display November 26, 2019, through January 5, 2020.

Each winter, Meijer Gardens transforms into a botanic wonderland with fresh poinsettias, orchids, and amaryllis. The smell of evergreens as visitors enter the building and the sounds of carolers make it a place to reflect on and enjoy the holiday season. Indoors and out, the gardens sparkle with 300,000 lights.

There will be 46 trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe. The Railway Garden, and the holiday wonderland that encompasses it, will once again loop through three indoor garden spaces, including the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse.

The unique horticultural artistry of the Railway Garden complements the trolleys, trains, and handcrafted buildings replicating 37 Grand Rapids landmarks. Visitors will find familiarity in the Fifth Third Ballpark replica building, with its light posts made of willow, as well as Royal Poinciana pods, Pomegranate, Japanese Fantail Willow and Bamboo that make up the iconic architecture of the Van Andel Institute replica building. Five landmarks from Grand Rapids’ sister cities around the world are also represented in the Railway Garden.

“This winter, Meijer Gardens is highlighting iconic symbols from around the world,” said Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. “Guests will have the opportunity to explore the signs of the season with deeper meaning and find the commonalities shared within diverse cultures.”

Mainstays of the exhibition include the Germany tree, adorned with handmade glass ornaments and homemade springerle cookies, the England tree—with antique Christmas cards and mistletoe — and the Eid ul-Fitr display, which celebrates the end of Ramadan. A variety of family-friendly activities are offered throughout the exhibition, including Santa visits, carolers, and winter walks.

In many cultures, the holidays bring people together in distinct and memorable ways that are difficult to capture in a display. Meijer Gardens is once again presenting the original film, joy, that explores the diverse festive fabric that is holiday life across our local communities. This film will be shown continuously in the Hoffman Family Auditorium and is also available on the Meijer Gardens YouTube channel.

(Photo courtesy of Meijer Gardens)