12/04/2022

The light event of the year - Winter Lights

בס"ד

winter lights botanical garden Jerusalem

Winter Lights event at the botanical garden is a magical event that's been held for several years. The event takes place at the Botanical Garden in Jerusalem with the assistance of the Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry and the Jerusalem Development Authority.

In wintertime, the trees lose their leaves but gain thousands of tiny bulbs, which decorate them into a colorful bright bloom, and with the European-style market, it's an event you don't want to miss.

This year, the event is going to be bigger than ever. Starting at 5:00 PM, the garden opens its gates to visitors to enjoy the sparkling display.

Light artist Gil Teichman and his crew used around 2.5 million bulbs hung along a kilometer and spread using 25 kilometers of cables throughout the garden. The bulbs used are the ecological LED kind, which saves electricity.

During the past year, the Botanical garden developed projects and activities that placed it at the center of artistic and cultural activity in Israel. In December, when we celebrate Hanukkah - the holiday of light- the botanical garden created a unique 1-kilometer path spanning around 14 dunams.

Throughout the route, you can enjoy various styles and shades of bright, colorful lights hung on trees, bushes, and the lake. Between the plants, you'll encounter chains of lights and characters such as deer, flowers, butterflies, chanukah etc.; some twinkle, some not.

Illuminated flames will flicker by the lake, and a shed lit with yellow bulbs will serve as a small cafe and enjoy photo booths along the way.

Additionally, visitors will enjoy the music from the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, meet actors dressed in lit customs, and warm up with food from various food stalls, such as sausages, pizza, soups, hot drinks, and more.

pizza at winter lights botanical garden Jerusalem

I was invited to review the place and we had a wonderful time visiting the place on its launch. We really enjoyed the colorful bright lights, and the chilly evening really added another layer of uniqueness to the experience. We also tried the great pizza that is offered on site. So don't forget warm clothes and a good camera for a selfie, cause you don't want to miss this festivity of lights.

The University Botanical Garden in Givat Ram, Jerusalem, is the largest botanical garden in Israel, sitting on 120 dunams. This beautiful natural gem acts as an educational, horticultural, and research center with plants from all over the world.

There are over 7,000 species and varieties of plants, divided into 6 geographical sections (North America, Europe, Australia, Southwest and Central Asia, Southern Africa, and the Mediterranean). Each section simulates the flora of each region and presents blossoms throughout the year.