October in Mobile isn’t just about a cool breeze or a quick dive into Halloween candy. At Bellingrath Gardens, October is our golden moment—when the magic begins to quietly brew. While everyone else is basking in pumpkin spice, we’re busy crafting something extraordinary. Pumpkins? Check. Chrysanthemums? Check. And let’s not forget the showstopper of the year—Magic Christmas in Lights—already flickering on the horizon. Yeah, we’re multitasking on a whole different level.
Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Everywhere
Right now, Bellingrath is alive with fall vibes. The Great Bellingrath Harvest is in full swing, and trust me, you’ve never seen pumpkins like this. We’re talking thousands of them arriving between October 7-11, turning the gardens into a full-blown pumpkin paradise. Think of strolling through paths lined with rich orange pumpkins, the crisp air biting at your cheeks, and your Instagram feed getting that autumn glow-up in a single shot.
But let’s be real—it’s not just about pumpkins. It’s about the little moments that stick with you. The laughter, the cozy feeling of fall settling in, and the kind of memories you create while wandering through a pumpkin wonderland that feels like it’s straight out of a daydream. Take a breath, grab your family, and let the season wrap itself around you.
Meanwhile, Behind the Scenes… Magic is Brewing
Close your eyes—can you smell it? The hint of pine mixing with peppermint, the faint echo of Christmas carols hanging in the air, and the warmth of hot cocoa cradled in your hands as you stand in line at Bellingrath. It’s that quiet excitement that builds with every sip, the marshmallows melting as you wait for the magic to unfold. And then, BAM!—you step out of the admission building and into a world lit by 3 million twinkling lights, each one shimmering like the dreams you held onto as a kid.
Behind the Scenes: Hand tying water lily Christmas lights
This isn’t just any light show—it’s Magic Christmas in Lights. For over 25 years, we’ve been making memories glow with this handcrafted masterpiece. Picture 65 acres of gardens wrapped in lights, 1,100 custom steel frames, and 1,500 set pieces that come together in a way that feels both new and nostalgic. Each year, we add something fresh, while keeping the traditions that bring you back, year after year.
Light Crew Manager Melissa Wells and her team are knee-deep in the work, stringing lights, climbing ladders, and making sure every bulb hits just right. By Labor Day, they’re already taming trees and archways, but come November 29th, the entire garden will shimmer in ways that make you feel like a kid again.
Crafting Christmas: Magic in Every Detail
And when you step into the garden? It’s electric—the Great Lawn Christmas tree towering like it’s been waiting for you all year. Over at Mirror Lake, 3D water lilies shimmer while animated waves ripple across the water. Twinkling snowflakes on the Gingko tree create a glow that feels like stepping into another world. Every light, every sound, every smell—it’s like the holidays themselves reached out and pulled you into their warm, glowing embrace.
It’s not just nostalgia that pulls you back. There’s something about Bellingrath’s lights that always makes it feel like the first time. The mix of old favorites and fresh surprises—the laughter of kids seeing Santa, the Nativity scene glowing under a starlit sky—hits all the right notes, the ones that take you right back to childhood. It’s more than an experience; it’s a feeling that fills your heart, making the holidays feel warmer, brighter.
Chrysanthemum Display: The Show Before the Show
As if pumpkins and Christmas lights weren’t enough, Bellingrath bursts into November with the Chrysanthemum Display. Over 400 blooming chrysanthemums—cascading, globe-shaped, and larger than life—turn the gardens into one final explosion of color before the holiday magic fully takes over. Think of it as nature’s last hurrah before winter rolls in.
The Countdown to Magic Begins Now
October might seem early to some, but for us, this is crunch time. While you’re soaking up those fall vibes, our team is making sure everything is perfect for the thousands of visitors who will soon flood the gardens. From squirrels chomping on wires (yes, that happens) to lights that need constant tweaking, there’s no such thing as downtime here.
So, here’s the deal: Pumpkins until October 31st, chrysanthemums all through November, and then Magic Christmas in Lights starting November 29th. Whether this is your first visit or you’ve been coming for decades, this year’s display promises something magical, something new, and something you won’t want to miss.
For more event details and tickets, head to our events page. October may be all about pumpkins, but trust me—here at Bellingrath, Christmas magic is already in the making, and it’s something you don’t want to miss.
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