Your Insider Guide to Midsummer Night’s Gleam
Experience a magical evening of lights, live music, food, cultural performances and activities on Saturday, July 18.
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 18, from 3 to 9 p.m. with a capacity limit of 5,000 people at a time. 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.
- $5 for adults over 18
- $1 for keiki ages 6–17
- Free for keiki 5 and under
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. 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 18 from 3 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, check out weaving and kapa demonstrations, craft butterflies, press flowers, grab a plant to take home, try archery with the Golden Horde and more.
New this year are all the art installations by local artists Ania Modzelewski, Felicia Yang, Terri de Asis and Christian Berg (marked by “a” on the map) as well as community-built lanterns.
Additionally, Mālama Learning Center, the Board of Water Supply, the Storm Water Quality Division and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Community Forestry Program will all have conservation booths set up to educate the community.
Food Vendors:
- Basil Thai – entrees and desserts
- Brewtiful – coffee and tea
- Corn Onoz Hawai‘i – street corn on the cob
- Kalo and Cream – craft sodas with local flavors
- Ho‘opili Tribal Council – fry bread and Indian tacos
- Island Craves – local Filipino favorites
- Mixed by Mare – sweets
- Reecie B’s – local favorites
- Simply ‘Ono – local favorites
Image: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks and Recreation
Entertainment
Upper Stage (Hula Mound) Entertainment Lineup:
3:30 p.m. Taiko drumming by Dragon Beat Hawai‘i
5 p.m. Instrumental fun with Allegro Keiki
6:30 p.m. Hula by Nā Alo o Hawai‘i
8 p.m. Live music by Kailua Moon
Lower Stage (Daibutsu Area) Entertainment Lineup:
3:45 p.m. Live music on recycled instruments by Ben Fairfield
4:45 p.m. Live music by Nālani Kaio
6 p.m. Dance performance by Mendoza Philippine Dance Troupe
Gazebo
5:30 p.m. through the evening: Storytelling by Jeff Gere
Economic Garden
Throughout the evening: Belly dancing by The Middle Eastern Dance Artists of Hawai‘i
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 18, 3 to 9 p.m., Foster Botanical Garden, 180 N. Vineyard Blvd., Downtown, honolulu.gov, @honolulubotanicalgardens
Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
Hailey Akau is a former editorial intern and regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.
