9th year of Nine Nights of Lights at Botanical Gardens launched

By Admin. Updated 11:24 a.m., Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

From left: Mr. Gideon Nash – Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority (left), Mrs. Calisha Solomon – Chairwoman of Nine Nights of Lights Committee (Centre), and Mr. Orande Bomani Charles – Chairman of the National Nine Mornings Festival Committee (Right).

The official media launch for the ninth year of the hosting of Nine Nights of Lights at the Botanical Gardens took place today (November 28).

Nine Nights of Lights is a festival of Lights, food, and music at the Botanical Gardens to celebrate Christmas in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The festival takes place from Friday, December 15 to Saturday, December 23, 2023.

The festival which is hosted by the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority – NPRBA attracts thousands of patrons each year, including locals and visitors with some 10,000 patrons attending in 2022.

It is widely viewed as the nightly version of the Nine Mornings celebration which is unique to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Speaking at the media launch at the Curator’s House at the Botanical Gardens, Mrs. Calisha Solomon – Chair of Nine Nights of Lights Committee said millions of lights will be on display this year.

She said works began on October 25 to light the gardens, adding that patrons can look forward to a spectacular festival.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bomani Charles, Chairman of the National Nine Mornings Festival Management Committee pledged continued support to Nine Nights of Lights Committee.

Public Relations Officer of the Nine Nights of Lights Committee – Ms. Twanique Barrow said the Committee has spent over $48,000 on lights this year.

She said that in addition to the lights, the Kids Zone will return this year to provide added attraction to children.

She said one of the added features of the nights will include a Nine Nights of Lights Christmas Market where vendors of food and beverage, gifts, local products, beauty, fashion, and services will display and offer for sale their products and services.

She said there is a call out for vendors to participate in the market during Nine Nights of Lights 2023 for a fee of $50 per night.

She said the deadline for registration is December 4, 2023.

She said several nightly activities will be held including a caroling contest, a night of praise, dance under the stars and RSVGPF band night, movie in the garden night, XMas on Steel, and upstage, botanical harmonies night, among others.