Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience Opens November 18th

(CLEVELAND) August 17, 2023 – Get ready, Northeast Ohio’s newest winter show is opening this November at the Cleveland Botanical Garden and it is going to be COOL.  Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience will completely transform indoor and outdoor gardens creating an ethereal wonderland of towering ice arches, dazzling light installations, a tunnel of flowers, larger-than-life animals, more than 500 poinsettias, seasonal soundscapes and much more to create a completely immersive new world for the holiday season.  

Frost 2023 Photos – All photo credits are Cleveland Botanical Garden

Frost will open to the public on Saturday, November 18^th at 10 a.m. and run through Sunday, December 31^st. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, October 3rd. We recommend reserving your tickets in advance at holdenfg.org. Walk-up tickets will be available.   

“Our team has been developing this completely new holiday show for more than two years,” says Ryan Sandy, Exhibitions Manager. “We are excited to debut this unique show that will be a fun holiday escape. From family time to date nights, there will be something for everyone.”  

From the moment you come through the main entrance at the Botanical Garden, you will be transported into an alluring new world of winter fantasy.  Frost invites you to explore a dozen different themes including:  Jingle Jungle, Solstice Stroll, and Lake Effect Lodge while Icicle Alleys connect the entire wonderland experience. Then enter Blizzard Ballroom, a winter storm of lights and weather before moving to the Frost Portal — a tunnel of illuminated flowers that leads to the Realm of the Winter Spirit, an enchanting world glistening with ice.  

“Each room will have a different look and feel, and you will be completely surrounded by elements that will transport you,” Sandy describes. “Also, there will be countless photo opportunities for kids, adults and families.” 

Kids can test out an icicle xylophone, weave through a tunnel of mirrors and frozen arches, roast marshmallows, listen to stories and enjoy a variety of wintery activities and interactive displays. 

 
The six-week experience will include a full calendar of solstice season educational activities and events. Special nighttime hours will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m. These late nights will have live performances from The Cleveland Institute of Music, Listen CLE and local musicians reflecting the holiday spirit. Ticketed events include Breakfast with Santa and the annual Krampusnacht with the Ohio Krampus Society, which raises money for kids by sharing Alpine folk traditions. 

Frost will incorporate classic favorites like the gingerbread house competition and evergreen trees decorated by local garden clubs. The Gingerbread Competition is entering its 17^th year and will have openings for approximately 100 gingerbread houses from local bakeries, families, and kids of all ages. To participate, visit holdenfg.org. Sign up now through November 3rd. 

“Visitors will escape any winter doldrums and ignite a sense of wonder and joy for the icy solstice season,” Sandy says. “It will be a visually stunning show that will showcase the beauty of winter with a focus on nature, plants and beautiful lighting.”  
 

Frost hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sundays noon – 5 p.m. The Botanical Garden will be closed on Mondays except for Dec. 18 when Frost will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Botanical Garden is closed on November 23 (Thanksgiving), December 25^th (Christmas Day), and January 1^st (New Year’s Day). Additionally, the Botanical Garden will close at 3 p.m. on December 24^th and December 31st. Please check holdenfg.org for updated information.   

  

About Cleveland Botanical Garden and Holden Forests & Gardens  

Cleveland Botanical Garden, located in Cleveland’s University Circle cultural district, is an ever-changing 12-acre urban oasis where visitors find enrichment and inspiration through fabulous gardens, an exotic Glasshouse, and seasonal events. The Cleveland Botanical Garden is part of Holden Forests & Gardens along with the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio.  Holden Forests & Gardens is making a positive impact through urban greening and forestry initiatives, environmental research, educational programs, and world-class visitor experiences at its two campuses. For more information, visit holdenfg.org.  

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