Christmas Magic in Lights, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Theodore, Alabama

The story of Bellingrath Gardens and Home is fascinating, and I plan to catch up with the Museum and Home Director, Tom McGehee, this spring to explore its auspicious beginnings when the gardens are in full bloom. His reputation as the area’s preeminent historian is legendary. 

My visit last week with Todd Lasseigne, Executive Director, and Cassidy Smith, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, enabled me to learn more about Bellingrath Gardens and Home’s Magic Christmas in Lights holiday seasonal event. It opens on Black Friday and  I can tell you, it’s not to be missed! Spectacular is often the word people use to describe the experience.

Running from Friday, November 24 through January 3, you have plenty of time to mark your calendar for an evening of fun, beauty, and excitement. “Magic Christmas is in its 28th year, and to take in the full experience, plan to arrive early,” says Todd. “Just purchase a ticket, park your car, and come on in.” 

The history of Bellingrath’s Magic Christmas had its beginnings at Callaway Gardens in Georgia. Former Bellingrath Executive Director, Bob Pearson, was visiting Callaway Gardens’ Executive Director, Bill Barrick, and saw their version of a lighted Christmas. He thought it would be a great idea for the holiday season, and soon implemented Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. 

It has been a holiday tradition ever since. Bill Barrick later became Belligrath’s Executive Director after Bob Pearson retired, so the Magic Christmas tradition was in good hands.  It’s Bellingrath Gardens' most popular annual event and its biggest money maker.

Each year, the Magic Christmas in Lights experience gets better and better. It’s a walking tour of the lush gardens and the light displays come on at 5 PM and stays lit until 9 PM, “or until the last guest leaves the property,” says Todd. He suggests allowing two hours to take it all in. The lights are spread throughout the gardens' paths, so plan a leisurely stroll to take it all in.

“I encourage people to arrive early, say in the late afternoon, stroll the gardens in daylight, watch the sunset on the landing on Fowl River, enjoy some hot chocolate and smores roasting on an open fire, and watch the lights come on as the evening light dims.” Magic Christmas in Lights often has choirs singing Christmas carols, and there is always food and concessions on site. Santa is there until December 23 to take photos. “He gets really busy the next day,” says Todd.

Cassidy and I walked the Gardens that afternoon. Work was still underway to complete the finishing touches before the Magic Christmas opening the next week. It is truly a picturesque property that winds through lush gardens that were the work of Bessie Bellingrath. We made our way to the Home overlooking the marsh and wetlands of Fowl River, where a nice pier landing offers views of the river and beautiful marshes.

This was once a fish camp, with a lodge on one side and a kitchen and dining hall next door. Mr. Bellingrath was an early investor in the soft drink business, one of many soft drink companies at the time. In his case, he chose to purchase the Coca-Cola brand and built a bottling company in Mobile. Good decision! 

Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately for the rest of us) he was having health issues. His doctor at the time, who was Tom McGhee’s grandfather, chalked his issues up to stress and suggested that he find a way to relax. He purchased the fish camp and surrounding property and soon began the project of building a home. This was during the Depression, and his wife, Miss Bessie as she was affectionately called, began the process of creating the spectacular gardens we see today.

Cassidy tells me Miss Bessie would buy camellias and azaleas from Mobilians at extraordinarily high prices to help those in need. Over time, streams were turned into beautiful lakes, walking bridges were erected, and stone pavers from Mobile sidewalks created pathways. Fountains and viewing overlooks were strategically placed to enhance the experience of the gardens for guests to enjoy.

The gardens were opened to the public in 1932. It was a grand slam! On opening day, it created the biggest traffic jam in Mobile County with 4,000 visitors. In 1950, Mr. Bellingrath established a nonprofit foundation to help with the cost of maintaining the gardens in perpetuity. Todd tells me the earnings from the foundation cover about 25% of the expenses each year. The rest is through admissions, private donations, and special events, like Magic Christmas in Lights.

When I say it’s a must-see, it has been named one of the "Gardens of the World Worth Traveling for in 2024" by International Garden Tourism, and the only one listed in the United States. That’s high cotton, as they say! Magic Christmas in Lights has been nominated by USA Today readers as a Top 10 Best Holiday Lights for several years running, competing with the likes of Dallas, Philadelphia, Denver, and Atlanta. 

Bellingrath Gardens and Home has a staff of 65, and a year-round crew dedicated to Magic Christmas. Every display is built on-site. There are over three million lights and each year a new local-themed scene is added, so there is always something new to experience. Mardi Gras was added at Mirror Lake in 2020. 

In 2021 it was Phoenix and Dragon in the Asian Gardens, a nod to Yin and Yang of Chinese mythology. Last year, it was the Pink Tunnel in the Rose Garden. “We have converted to LED lighting, so the show has never been brighter,” says Todd. “The lights become more vivid as darkness sets in, and It truly is magical.”

Visitors to Magic Christmas in Lights continue to increase year by year. It attracted between 60,000 to 70,000 to 80,000 guests annually. During the pandemic year, visitors to see Magic Christmas reached 96,000. This year’s new display is a closely guarded secret until it’s unveiled at the VIP Event on Thanksgiving evening. 

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is 90 years old, and Todd has been its Executive Director for three years. He has an incredible resume as a horticulturist and teacher, including a Ph.D. Born in the bayous of Louisiana, he is in his element in South Mobile County. “My Cajun roots are at home here.”

He is working with the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research to gauge the impact that Bellingrath Gardens and Home brings to Mobile’s economy through tourism. It’s safe to say it’s significant. He is working on a Master Plan that he hopes to present in Spring 2024. 

“After 90 years, we are trying to sculpt a vision for the future. This is a beloved institution and we want it to continue as a local treasure that people worldwide can enjoy.” With 900 acres of land to work with and only 65 acres that have been utilized for the gardens and stately home, Todd envisions nature trails, biking trails, and other ways to add to the enjoyment of the property while generating needed revenue.

In the last three years, they have invested over $800,000 into Belingrath’s infrastructure to enhance and maintain its charm. “We have a super dedicated staff, and I have a deep passion for this place. This home and garden is recognized as one of the most significant places of its kind in the world. It takes a lot of investment to keep it updated and maintained. We need people to recognize what we have here in our backyard.”

Magic Christmas in Lights is just one of the many events in which the public can participate. Guests can enjoy other seasonal activities like the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Mother’s Day Brunch, and the Beers and Blooms Spring Festival. Look for its plant sale in early March. May through October is a popular time for weddings on the grounds.

With a $4 million annual budget, Todd has his work cut out for him, but he is excited about moving forward with much-needed capital improvements. When Mr. Bellingrath established the Foundation, he made sure that the cost of touring the home would be a certain percentage more than the gardens, so there is an additional charge to do both, but so worth it.

Make plans to see Magic Christmas and get the holidays started in the right spirit. We are so fortunate to have the iconic Bellingrath Gardens and Home as a place to be enjoyed repeatedly. 

Happy holidays and best wishes to Todd, Cassidy, and the entire team at Bellingrath for bringing us such a memorable experience of a lifetime!