Buffalo, NY - Lumagination is a captivating and interactive exhibit that will transform the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens with light, sound and imagination from January 26 through February 23, 2019. Lumagination is produced by: Luminated Landscapes and all ages will delight in this amazing and unique exhibit that showcases the incredible architecture and horticulture collection of the Botanical Gardens. This years’ theme is The Magic of Air! Air motivates ordinary things to move in amazing ways. There are so many magical surprises in store at Lumagination - colorful and creative lighting, dancing silks, bouncing paper cranes, hot air balloons and kites of all sizes, metallic mobiles, cyclones of fabric and so much more!
Community collaborations are part of the fun this year with the Aquarium of Niagara, Autism Services, Inc., a Hero Night sponsored by National Grid, the Buffalo Zoo, the Pride Center of Western New York and a college night in collaboration with the University at Buffalo School of Theater and Dance will bring an exciting calendar of events to Lumagination 2019. The popular Happy Hours will return again this year on February 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23. To kick off all the fun, a Launch Party is planned for January 25.
The Lumagination Launch Party will flip the switch on Lumagination on January 25 from 6:30-9:00 pm. Catered by Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, this enhanced event will flip the switch on Lumagination 2019! Guests will enjoy music, open bar of signature cocktails from Ketel One Vodka, wine, beer, glow surprises, an awesome raffle and some Nitro Magic!
Launch Party tickets are $40 for Botanical Gardens’ Members, $45 for the general public and $50 after January 19. An exclusive VIP party will be held at the Launch Party, from 5:30-6:30pm, and will include; private access to the Launch Party, live music, signature swag, an open bar of signature cocktails from Ketel One Vodka, wine, beer and more! Tickets are limited and are $75 each.
Tickets are available online at www.buffalogardens.com or by phone, 716-827-1584 ext. 220. The Lumagination Launch Party is sponsored by: Ketel One Botanical Vodka, National Grid, Ingram Micro, Mader Construction, Upstate Rebar, Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP, Ellicott Development, Rich’s, Star 102.5, Buffalo Spree and Backyard Party Supply.
Happy Hours were extremely popular last year and organizers added several more dates for 2019! Happy Hours will take place February 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 from 5:00-9:00pm. These events are held in the Administration Building next to the Botanical Gardens so visitors can enjoy food and drinks from Salvatore’s Italian Gardens before or after attending Lumagination. Happy Hours offer a casual and friendly atmosphere for drinks and food in a lively space with an industrial but intimate feel. Admission to Happy Hour is free and food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Lumagination will take visitors on a spectacular walk through the Botanical Gardens to experience creatively themed greenhouses, interactive entertainment and so much more! As guests approach the Botanical Gardens, they will be greeted by illuminated sculptures and enter into a foyer filled with white origami cranes along the ceiling. Waves of colored light will wash over them constantly changing the mood.
As guests enter the Main Palm Dome they will be greeted with a dramatic mix of choreographed sound and light and swirling air that will send sheets of silk dancing in the wind. Guests will move through each greenhouse to delight in exciting combinations of light, music and interactive fun. The Aquatic Garden and Asian Rainforest will be flooded with unique light combinations, kites of all kinds and an amazing soundscape. A cyclone of clutter will stir up a storm as an artistic interpretation of a tornado made from recycled water bottles will portray a visual light storm. The desert room will be designed by a talented team of professors, undergraduate students and artists from The University at Buffalo School of Theatre and Dance. They will bring new technology and theatrical design to Lumagination 2019!
Next on the journey, visitors will marvel at wind-blown trees made of neon wire and kinetic sculptures of all shapes and sizes. The Wegmans Family Garden will be full of interactive fun for all ages. Next, guests will enter a different dimension as they travel through an artistic interpretation of space. Floating and illuminating bubbles will surround visitors in the next greenhouse. From there visitors will enjoy interactive optical rugs with a cloud theme and a special windblown pergola will float overhead. The last greenhouse will uplift visitors as they enjoy a room full of twinkly lights transporting them to a mystical fairyland.
A truly unique experience… Lumagination will take place January 26-27, January 30-February 2, February 6-10 and February 13-23. Show hours will be 6:00-9:00 pm and until 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Community collaborations this year will engage new audiences and bring an exciting calendar of events to Lumagination 2019. Specialty nights include:
January 27 - Family Night with the Aquarium of Niagara
Aquarium of Niagara Members, with valid ID, receive Botanical Gardens’ Member prices. In partnership with Wegmans - everyone will enjoy kids activities, touch tank fun and more!
January 29 - Photo Night - For professional and amateur photographers only.
January 31 - Sensory Night hosted by Autism Services - Everyone welcome! We encourage the autism community to enjoy this special evening. ASI facilitators will be on hand to greet visitors and discuss the benefits of sensory environments.
February 1 - Hero Night Sponsored by National Grid - Active Military and Veterans, with valid ID, receive free admission.
February 6 - College Night - College students, with valid ID, will receive $2 off student admission.
February 10 - Family Night with the Buffalo Zoo - Buffalo Zoo Members, with valid ID, receive Botanical Gardens’ Member prices. In partnership with Wegmans - everyone will enjoy added kids activities, animal interaction and more!
February 13 - Pride Night with the Pride Center of WNY
February 14 - Valentine’s Day & Happy Hour - The first 300 visitors will receive a special Valentine’s Day surprise!
February 17 - Family Night with the Botanical Gardens - In partnership with Wegmans - everyone will enjoy added kids activities and more!
Admission doors will open at 6:00 pm each night and admission is $14 Adults, $12 Seniors (62+), $12 Students (13+ with ID), $6 Kids 3-12, Kids 2 and under free for the General Public. Botanical Gardens’ Member tickets are $12 Adults, $10 Seniors (62+), $10 Students (13+ with ID), $6 Kids 3-12, Kids 2 and under free. Tickets are available online at www.buffalogardens.com. Tickets will also be available at the door throughout the show. Botanical Gardens’ guest passes, discounts and coupons are not valid during Lumagination. Cameras and mono pods are welcome every night however, tripods are not permitted. Photo Night on January 29, from 6:00-9:00 pm, welcomes professional and amateur photographers only, and tripods will be permitted on this night only!
Lumagination is produced by: Luminated Landscapes and is sponsored by: National Grid, Ingram Micro, Mader Construction, Upstate Rebar, Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP, Ellicott Development, Rich’s, Star 102.5, Buffalo Spree and Backyard Party Supply.
Creative concepts and designs provided by Philip Colorusso and Luminated Landscapes, Inc., located in East Aurora, New York. Luminated Landscapes is a local business that is painting our world with light.
Use #Lumagination and @Buffalogardens when posting on social media. For more information, visit the Botanical Gardens’ website at www.buffalogardens.com. Proceeds benefit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with a mission to inspire curiosity and connect people to the natural world through its historic living museum.