Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the NightGarden, Where Kanye West Freestyled With a Talking Tree

The NightGarden, the outdoor interactive exhibit that opened at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden just in time for Art Basel this year, recently announced an extended run due to popular demand. The illuminated garden will not only remain on display through January 11, 2019 (originally January 6), but also host New Year’s Eve festivities.

By Carolina del Busto

December 19, 2018

Image: Shine bright like an illuminated tree.

Shine bright like an illuminated tree. Daniella Mía

Audio By Carbonatix

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The NightGarden, the outdoor interactive exhibit that debuted at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden just in time for Art Basel this year, recently announced an extended run due to popular demand. The illuminated garden will not only remain open through January 11, 2019 (originally January 6), but also host New Year’s Eve festivities.

The NYE party ticket includes entrance to the grounds and access to the eye-catching light displays beginning at 7 p.m. In addition, guests will be treated to a fireworks show at 10 p.m. and DJ performances throughout the night. Food will be available for purchase. Tickets to the party December 31 cost $39 for adults and $32 for children via thenightgarden.com/nye-event.

The immersive experience has also introduced a new facet to its bright story line. Visitors encounter fairies fluttering about the garden and engaging with them. Until now, there were only six known fairies; however, organizers have revealed that a seventh fairy lies hidden, sleeping somewhere in the garden.

click to enlarge

Is she the secret, hidden fairy number seven?

Daniella Mía

According to the NightGarden website, the only way to wake this fairy is to call out her name. Clues to uncovering her name are concealed throughout the experience, and guests who think they’ve cracked the code can email their guess to [email protected] for a chance to unlock another piece of the overarching puzzle.

Rest assured (in case you were sweating over this), the NightGarden comes Kanye West-approved. The rapper paid a quick visit to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where he engaged in a brief freestyle session with a talking tree, while he was in town for Miami Art Week. The animated hunk of wood asked, “Kanye, have you ever met a beatboxing tree?” West replied, “I think I have now.” Watch the full clip via the Miami Herald.

If it’s good enough for Kanye, it’s good enough for you.

The NightGarden. 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday through January 11, 2019, at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; 305-667-1651; fairchildgarden.org. Tickets cost $28 via thenightgarden.com.

Carolina del Busto is a freelance writer for Miami New Times. She nurtured her love of words at Boston College before moving back home to Miami and has been covering arts and culture in the Magic City since 2013.

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