December at Wave Hill

The first half of the month is bustling, then slowing down for a peaceful transition to the new year. The gardens are dressed naturally for the season, including a Wildlife Tree decorated with edible ornaments created by staff, volunteers and Family Art Project families.

Home for the Holidays Weekend (Dec 3, 4) gets the winter season off to a merry start, with wreath-making, botanical art on display, music and lots of fabulous shopping opportunities. Keep in mind that wreath-making requires advance registration.

Sunday, Dec 11, musical trailblazer and pianist Lara Downes fills Armor Hall with a hopeful message—Where Dreams Begin—that embodies the spirit of the season, and includes a sneak peek at her upcoming Pentatone label release, Love at Last.

Families will make art together till the Family Art Project takes its own holiday, from Christmas through New Year’s. In addition to making edible ornaments for the Wildlife Tree, they’ll be making snow globes (one way to study weather forecasting!) and continuing the annual tradition of creating a circular calendar for the new year.

This month, exclusive caterer Great Performances will present Holiday Teas once again. Weekend and weekdays dates are available, but reserve now.

Throughout the month, visitors can enjoy an exhibition of botanical art in Glyndor Gallery, a wonderfully intimate space for taking in 46 works highlighting a range of botanical interests. It’s the American Society of Botanical Artists’ 25th Annual International, a juried exhibition. Don’t miss a virtual conversation with artists in the show on Tue, Dec 13.

Outdoors, the monthly birding walk (Sun, Dec 11) is free with admission to the grounds this winter. The first in a series of Winter Walks (Wed, Dec 21), focuses on the winter solstice. Weekly Public Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walks meet every Sunday except Christmas Day.

The last ten days of the month are a study in tranquility, a time to relish the season’s celebrations even as we absorb the quiet tempo of the winter garden. Happy, healthy holidays and best wishes for a wonderful New Year. The gardens will be closed on both holidays.