El Culiacán Botanical Garden once again takes center stage of the Christmas holidays with a new edition of its already well known night tour “Christmas at the Botanical Garden: A Garden of Light.” This green space, considered one of the most important lungs of the Sinaloa capital, is transformed for several weeks into an illuminated stage where nature, art, and family gatherings share the spotlight.
Promoted by Coppel Foundation and the Botanical and Zoological Society of Sinaloa IAPThe project has become a fixture on Culiacán's calendar. The proposal blends lighting installationsCultural activities and an environment designed for both children and adults to explore the garden paths at a special time, enjoying immersive experiences in the middle of the night.
A Garden of Light: fifth edition of a Christmas tradition
The initiative "Christmas at the Botanical Garden: A Garden of Light"It reaches its fifth consecutive year, confirming that the initial experiment has become a true local tradition. The garden is adapted to offer a themed nighttime tour, in which the vegetable species and the paths are integrated with light installations and artistic proposals.
As explained Barbara Apodaca Cabanillas, director of the Botanical and Zoological Society of Sinaloa IAP, the objective is create a meeting space where families can enjoy the garden in a different way, associating Christmas not only with consumption, but also with culture, peace and the responsible use of public spaces.
Last season saw the visit of about 75.000 peopleA figure that organizers estimate represents around 60% of the usual attendance at this time of year. For this new edition, they hope to surpass that number, relying on a wider range of activities and word-of-mouth recommendations from those already familiar with the route.
The director has insisted that the project is not only a visual spectacle, but also an opportunity to to promote environments of peace and coexistence, at a time of year when many families are looking for safe, quiet and accessible places to gather outdoors.
Dates, times and operation of the Christmas tour
The Culiacán Botanical Garden will open its special Christmas tour November 30 to January 11...during a period when the nights will be filled with lights, music, and cultural activities. This program has become established year after year, becoming one of the Most anticipated December events de la ciudad.
The official opening is scheduled for the Sunday November 30The opening ceremony takes place in the late afternoon. It includes the lighting of the Christmas tree and the symbolic start of the light display, informally marking the beginning of the Christmas season in the Sinaloa capital.
After that first day, the event's regular schedule generally extends from 18 am to 00 amThis allows both those leaving work and families with young children to organize their visit without too much rush, taking advantage of the sunset to fully enjoy the light installations.
There are two dates on which the garden It remains closed to the public. Within the Christmas program: the nights of December 24th and 31st. This allows staff and event volunteers to spend those nights with their families, while maintaining a steady flow of visitors on the other days.
Immersive experiences and emblematic corners of the Garden of Light
One of the great attractions of this edition is the addition of two new immersive experiences related to natureThese installations are designed to allow the public to interact with the environment in a different way. These proposals extend the route, which this year is planned to be longer than in previous seasons, with specific areas that play with lighting, sound, and the surrounding vegetation.
The event's classic venues will, of course, be maintained, including the Portal of IllusionsKnown as one of the most photographed spots in the garden, this light tunnel has become a must-see for those who want to take home a visual memento of the experience, whether with family, as a couple, or with friends.
Another highlight of the tour is the Christmas tree lightingwhich acts as a visual symbol of the start of the season within the Botanical Garden. Visitors of all ages usually gather around it, making the area one of the liveliest hubs of the event.
Not missing the Santa's mailboxA space designed especially for the youngest children, who can leave their letters and wishes as they walk along the illuminated paths. In parallel, a market for food, drinks and local products It offers the possibility of having a drink during the visit and supporting small businesses in the area.
In addition to these proposals, the organization has announced that it will incorporate dynamics for interact with nature in a novel wayUsing technology and stagecraft, the exhibition allows the public to see the plant world in a new light. The goal is for visitors not only to admire the lights, but also to take in the experience. awareness of the value of the garden and its biodiversity.
Cultural partnerships and artistic programming of the ISIC
One of the pillars of this Garden of Light is the alliance with the Sinaloa Institute of Culture (ISIC)which is once again actively involved in the programming. This collaboration is based on an agreement that has been in place for several years and seeks to strengthen the presence of art in key public spaces such as the Botanical Garden.
The director of ISIC, Juan Salvador Avilés OchoaHe stressed that art is being used as a tool to improve coexistence and the feeling of security in the city, bringing music, dance, and theatrical performances to a natural and family-friendly environment. For the institution, the Garden of Light represents an ideal showcase for introducing its artistic companies to the general public.
During the weeks that the event lasts, the garden will feature a schedule of performances in which various ISIC groups participate. Among the confirmed companies are the Sinaloa Folkloric Company, State Youth Symphonic Band, José Limón School Orchestra, Sinaloa Youth Dance Company and the Sinaloa Opera Workshop and Choir.
These performances are concentrated on specific dates throughout December and early January, with shows scheduled in the afternoon, generally around 19 pmIn this way, visitors can combine strolling along the illuminated paths with attending concerts, dance, and opera in the same space.
The presence of these companies not only adds cultural value to the tour, but also reinforces the idea that the Botanical Garden can to function as a stable venue for artistic programming, beyond the strictly botanical or recreational uses that are usually attributed to it.
Access, prices and social nature of the event
Regarding access, the organization maintains a recovery fee of 50 pesos for general admission, an amount intended to be affordable for most families in the area. This amount goes directly to the maintenance and conservation of the Botanical Garden, which depends heavily on donations and access fees.
To ensure that no one is excluded for economic reasons, the event includes free entrance This program caters to various groups, including children under five, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. It opens the door for families to attend with young children or elderly relatives without cost being a barrier.
Tickets can be purchased at the Botanical Garden ticket office Booking can be done through the official website, allowing you to plan your visit in advance and avoid unnecessary waiting during peak times. Online booking is especially useful for those planning a group visit or visiting on particularly busy dates.
The event also has an aspect of campaign to support your own gardenSince the Botanical and Zoological Society of Sinaloa is a civil society organization that needs to secure resources to continue caring for this green space, visiting the Garden of Light also means contributing to the upkeep of a key environmental resource for the city.
During the presentation, it was emphasized that the device includes specific measures for security and civil protection, with the participation of local authorities and the coordination of bodies such as the National Guard, in order to guarantee a calm and orderly environment throughout the days.
A public space filled with art, light, and community
Beyond the visual spectacle, “A Garden of Light” is conceived as a invitation to reclaim public spacesThe organizers emphasize that, in complex times, it is especially important to have places where citizens can meet calmly, stroll outdoors, and enjoy cultural activities without having to travel long distances.
The various presentations of the project have been attended by representatives of public institutions, the cultural field and the social sector, among them municipal tourism authoritiesMembers of the board of trustees of the Botanical Society and spokespeople for the Coppel Foundation all agreed in highlighting the symbolic dimension of the garden as a space of unity and hope during the holidays.
The mix of light installations, artistic programming, and activities for all ages has allowed the event to be consolidated as one of the best-known Christmas plans in CuliacánMany families have incorporated a visit to the Botanical Garden into their end-of-year routines, whether to take photos at the Portal of Illusions, attend the ISIC concerts, or simply stroll among trees and lights.
With the fifth edition of “Christmas at the Botanical Garden: A Garden of Light”, the Culiacán Botanical Garden reaffirms its role as key setting for culture and environmental education, combining quite naturally entertainment, ecological awareness and support for the local economy through its market of products and food.
The proposal remains true to its original essence: a night tour where nature and lighting meet, enriched each year with new experiences and a wider artistic offering, which seeks to continue attracting those who already know it and those who come for the first time to experience Christmas among trees, lights and music.
