Your Insider Guide to Midsummer Night’s Gleam
Experience a magical evening of lights, live music, food, cultural performances and activities on Saturday, July 19.
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks and Recreation
Every year, Foster Botanical Garden lights up and transforms into a fantastical wonderland that combines the lush greenery of Hawai‘i’s unique ecosystem with thousands of artistic light displays and glowing luminaries at Midsummer Night’s Gleam. Don’t miss this chance to experience the oldest of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens in a completely different and quite magical light. Walk through the ethereal gardens, enjoy live music and cultural performances, learn about native plants or contribute to a community art project—there’s something for everyone at this event.
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Image: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks and Recreation
When and Where
Midsummer Night’s Gleam takes place at Foster Botanical Garden, 180 N. Vineyard Blvd. This year’s event will be on Saturday, July 19, from 3 to 9 p.m. Please note that the last entry will be at 8 p.m.
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Where to Park
Note that a ticket or reservation for the event does not guarantee parking. The garden’s lot will be reserved for handicap and ADA parking only.
Free, limited off-site parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at Kauluwela Elementary School (1486 Aala St.). Street parking is available in the surrounding areas but will not be available on Vineyard Blvd. Paid parking will also be available at nearby municipal and private lots, but pay attention to signage for closing times and fees.
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks and Recreation
Cost
This is a ticketed event.
- $3 for adults over 18
- $1 for keiki ages 6–17
- Keiki 5 and under do not need tickets
Tickets can be purchased online, or limited presale tickets are available at the Foster Botanical Garden Cashier’s Booth from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. now until July 16. A maximum of ten tickets are available per customer, and you will need to present a physical or electronic copy of your reservation or ticket to enter.
While it is recommended that you purchase a ticket in advance, a small number of walk-in tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Cashier’s Booth on July 19 from 3 to 8 p.m.
Foster Garden Annual Passes and Friends of HBG Membership Cards will not replace a ticket for this event.
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks and Recreation
Activities
From 3 to 6 p.m., before the sun sets, attendees can enjoy a variety of keiki-friendly activities. Blow giant bubbles, weave leaves, twigs and yarn into a communal botanical loom, make a seed mural, craft some goodies or grab a plant to take home, try archery with the Khanate of the Golden Horde, play some miniature games and more. Additionally, Bishop Museum, the Hawai‘i Audubon Society, the Board of Water Supply and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Community Forestry Program will all have conservation booths set up to educate the community on native plants, birds, water and forests.
Food Vendors (TBD):
- Kona Ice
- Olay’s Thai Lao Cuisine
- O‘ahu Intertribal (fried bread)
- Simply ‘Ono
Image: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks and Recreation
Entertainment
Upper Terrace Entertainment Lineup:
3:30 p.m. African drumming with Sewa Faré
5 p.m. Dance performance by the Mendoza Philippine Dance Group
6:30 p.m. Taiko drumming by Dragon Beat Hawai‘i
8 p.m. Belly dancing by the Middle Eastern Dance Artists of Hawai‘i
Daibutsu Area Entertainment Lineup:
3:45 p.m. Live music by Solo Cholo & Friends
5 p.m. Classical music by Allegro Keiki
6 p.m. Harp performances by Ocean Music Action
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks and Recreation
Tips
- Arrive early so you can enjoy the activities and games before the sun sets.
- Bring low-backed chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to sit on the lawns near both stages.
- Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray to keep you protected while enjoying the outdoors.
- Cash and credit card are both accepted payment forms, but note there will not be an ATM onsite, so plan accordingly.
- Leave your pets, foldable tables and alcohol at home, as these will not be permitted inside the garden.
- Keep phones on you and designate a meeting place so keiki don’t get lost.
Midsummer Night’s Gleam, Saturday, July 19, 3 to 9 p.m., Foster Botanical Garden, 180 N. Vineyard Blvd., honolulu.gov, @honolulubotanicalgardens
Hailey Akau is a former editorial intern and regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.
