Yes, we are already working on Nights of a Thousand Candles!

Entering the 20th year of Nights of a Thousand Candles in 2019 at Brookgreen Gardens I thought we would share with everyone the process it takes to put on this annual event.  I am fortunate to have been working at Brookgreen Gardens since 2008.  In 2013, I was given the opportunity to become the Nights of a Thousand Candles Exhibits Supervisor.  Currently I am the Public Exhibits Production and Logistics Manager.  One of my primary responsibilities is to oversee the design, installation, and maintenance of all candle and electrical displays during the event.  Over the next several months we will highlight a variety of topics from candles to pools to lights to maintenance. From before the installation begins in the gardens and the behind the scenes preparations, to when the first lights go up in September, to lighting the first candle, all the way to wrapping things up in February.

As Nights of a Thousand Candles has grown it has become a year-round endeavor.  During the event we light approximately 67,000 candles.  That’s a lot of candles!  We primarily use 3 different sized candles; 6” for the pedestals, 2” for the pools, and votives for the luminaries.  For years we always struggled on what to do with old candles; candles that are too small.  After years of donating and recycling them to candle makers, a dedicated and ingenious volunteer decided to take it upon himself to begin revising the old candles into usable sizes, making smaller candles that can be used in pools or when the weather is threatening and we don’t want to use a fresh candle.  Last year we cut over 8,000 used candles from prior years.  Currently, as I write this in June, Brookgreen volunteers are already cutting candles for the 2019 event.  Reshaping, sculpting, and cutting last year’s used candles into specific lengths for the various displays.  Re-purposing the old candles allows us to get the most out of each candle, cutting down on waste and giving us the precise size for the number of days we need it, weather conditions, and the application needed.

Crates of last year's candles waiting to be cut.

The weather obviously plays a major role when trying to light a candle outside.  Some years are better than others, but we are always prepared no matter what mother nature hands us.  A candle that gets rained on must be removed, taken inside, and dried out for days, if not weeks.  This can be quit the process when dealing with over 67,000 candles during the month of December.  Candle management, selection, and installation is a big part of the job.  Selecting the right candle for the conditions is very important.  The volunteers and their candle cutting provides us the opportunity to select from a variety of candles.  If rain is threatening or winds are high, we will select a smaller candle suitable for one night only, instead of using a large candle.  If a good stretch of calm weather is in our forecast, we will use a new candle fresh out the box.  A 6” candle in perfect conditions will usually last 3 nights.  Selecting the right candle for the conditions is the secret to a perfectly candlelit garden. 

Volunteers cut and sculpt old candles to be used for Nights of a Thousand Candles 2019

Brookgreen volunteers and their candle cutting efforts began in March and will continue throughout this summer and into the fall.  Once the calendar turns to 2020, we’ll start cutting again.  This is just one of many examples of jobs that take place during the year to help put on Brookgreen’s largest event of the year.

Nights of a Thousand Candles begins on Saturday November 30, 2019 with a special limited admission Preview event from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.  The following weekend the event continues for the month of December from 3:00 -10:00 p.m. on the following dates: 12/5, 12/6, 12/7, 12/8,12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21. 

We will ring in the New Year on 12/27, 12/28, 12/31 with a special candlelit garden stroll where visitors can view the millions of lights and thousands of candles one final time. 

Tickets will be available soon at these links.

Night of a Thousand Candles - Preview Benefit

Nights of a Thousand Candles 2019

Light up the New Year