Know Before You Go

OVERVIEW
Advanced timed ticketing ensures shorter entry lines, and even guest flow throughout the exhibit route. 

• Tickets go on sale August 4, at 10 a.m.
• Guests are admitted every 15 minutes.
• No onsite ticket sales during exhibit viewings.
• Olbrich Members need to first select a viewing date and then log in using their email or Member ID to view discount pricing on the GLEAM ticketing website.
• GLEAM does not currently offer group rates for this fundraiser.
• All ticket proceeds directly support the mission and daily operations of Madison's free public garden!
   

PRICING

SEPTEMBER
Wednesday/Thursday
$16 – General Admission
$13 – Member
$8 – Child (age 6-12)
FREE – 5 & Under

Fridays/Saturdays
$18 – General Admission
$15 – Member
$10 – Child (age 6-12)
FREE – 5 & Under

OCTOBER
Wednesdays/Thursdays
$18 – General Admission
$15 – Member
$10 – Child (age 6-12)
FREE – 5 & Under

Fridays/Saturdays
$22 – General Admission
$19 – Member
$10 – Child (age 6-12)
FREE – 5 & Under

TICKET ASSISTANCE
Available Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Please allow 1 business day for a reply
Email: olbrichinformation@cityofmadison.com
Phone: 608-246-4550

GLEAM viewings take place rain or shine. 
Tickets are non-refundable/non-transferrable (date).

EXHIBIT OPENING VIEWING
Saturday, August 29, 8-11 p.m.
Exclusive opportunity to meet the artists and delight in the glowing performances of Cirque Du Cham! LED performers will perform continuously throughout the exhibit route during the viewing. Beverage service available for purchase. Last entry at 9:30 p.m.

• $27 – General Admission
• $24 – Member
• $13 – Child (member and non-member)

• FREE - Ages 5 & under

   

CRACKLE - Featuring CRACKLIN" Collards
Friday, September 11 & Saturday, September 12, 7-10 p.m.
CRACKLE is back - gather your friends and family for this fun, fall tradition featuring 8 bonfires on the Great Lawn, live music, and tasty local food cart fare! For this special edition, CRACKLIN" Collards the music and cuisine will highlight black culture, a collective spirit built on a foundation of community bonds, spiritual traditions, deep pride, and creative expression celebrated through food and music. Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy the GLEAM exhibit while attending CRACKLIN' Collards.

• $40 – General Admission (Age 21+)

• $35 – Member (Age 21+)

   

ADULTS ONLY NIGHT
Thursday, September 10
Enjoy a quiet, contemplative exhibit viewing on Adults Only nights. Beverage service available for purchase in Olbrich's lobby area. Must be age 21+ to attend, be prepared to show ID for age verification.

• $16 – General Admission (Age 21+)

• $13 – Member (age 21+)

   

CYCROPIA PERFORMANCES
Friday, September 18 & Saturday, September 19, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Formed in 1989, Cycropia is one of the oldest continuously-operating aerial dance troupes within the United States. To complement this year's GLEAM exhibit, the aerial performances will feature a creature theme! The acrobats will perform continuously on the Great Lawn. Guests are welcome to return to the Great Lawn to continue watching the performances after completing the exhibit route.

• $27 – General Admission
• $24 – Member
• $13 – Child (member and non-member)

• FREE - Ages 5 & under

   

FAMILY NIGHT
Friday, September 25, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Enjoy a magical UV bubble experience created by Marvelous Michelle Bubble Lady Extraordinaire! Kiddos will have an opportunity to create a neon masterpiece at the UV chalk station!

• $16 – General Admission
• $13 – Member
• $8 – Child (age 6-12)
• FREE – 5 & Under
   

ADULTS ONLY NIGHT
Thursday, October 8
Enjoy a quiet, contemplative exhibit viewing on Adults Only nights. Beverage service available for purchase in Olbrich's lobby area. Must be age 21+ to attend, be prepared to show ID for age verification.

• $18 – General Admission (Age 21+)

• $15 – Member (age 21+)

   

• Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ parking lot accommodates 210 cars.
• Check out the Alternative Parking Map  prior to your visit to identify a plan B in case the Gardens’ parking lot is full.

• (2) push wheelchairs, (2) electric scooters, and (2) upright rollator walkers are available - first-come, first-served. Priority based on entry time on ticket.
• The majority of the tour route consists of flat, 6'-12’ wide brick or cement pathways.

• Access a mobile-friendly map on your own phone.
• Exhibit can be easily navigated without use of a map - follow onsite wayfinding markers.
• 0.86 mile loop moving clockwise around the outer pathways of the Gardens.
• On average guests spend an hour to an hour and half enjoying the exhibit.
• Guests are admitted through Olbrich Gardens’ main entrance and then proceed to the Bolz Conservatory to preview the first artwork.
• After viewing the final artwork in the Sunken Garden guests will exit the outdoor turnstile (wheelchair accessible).

COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE

The GLEAM exhibit offers everyone an opportunity to enjoy a magical evening in the Gardens. Please be mindful of how your movements and voices influence the experience for others. 
Take with you these reminders –

• Children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult while touring the exhibit.
• Unattended children may be ushered to the lobby by a GLEAM host to wait for a parent to pick them up.
• Take a nice stroll through the exhibit; running on pathways creates safety concerns in a low light environment.
• We understand the urge to squeal with excitement (especially the kiddos), but let’s keep our voices reasonable so all guests can enjoy the immersive soundscapes.
• Gentle play with the interactive artwork is encouraged! Rough, destructive interactions will be redirected by a GLEAM host.
• Guest behavior that negatively impacts others (yelling, swearing, running, harsh use of interactive artwork, etc.) may result in your party being required to exit the exhibit prior to completing the viewing.

There are a few areas that may present access barriers for persons with disabilities. In most cases, guests can select to view these installations from the solid, flat main exhibit pathway.

• RGBolz Conservatory (1st artwork) is viewable from the ground floor of the Bolz Conservatory. The second level of the conservatory is accessible by traveling up the ramped pathway. Guests who cannot navigate stairs must turn around before the second floor balcony and exit the same ramp to return to the ground floor (against visitor traffic). Some of the lighting effects inside the conservatory involve moving light patterns that sometimes produce a strobe like effect.
  Alternative - view the installation from the ground level only
   
• Glimmer Pop (wayfinding effect) located on the Great Lawn involves powerful slow moving searchlights that sometimes produce a brief flashing effect.
  Alternative - take a right before entering the Great Lawn area and walk under the large metal Donors' Arbor to access Something May Answer (2nd artwork). If you prefer to avoid the Great Lawn area completely, ask the GLEAM host positioned inside the Gardens' entrance to direct you down the long walk towards Enchanted Oasis (4th artwork).
   
• Allium (3rd artwork) is a sculpture with programmable lighting effects that includes quick motion and sometimes produce a strobe like effect.
  Alternative - take the pathway to the left towards the learning center building before entering the Event Garden and continue on to Enchanted Oasis, the next featured artwork.
   
• Aquatics II (6th artwork) is positioned in wide open grassy area with mulched pathways. 
  Alternative - view the installation from main pathway to remain on even paved ground and then continue on the exhibit route towards the Thai bridge
   
• Bog Music (7th installation) in the Thai Garden is positioned on a lawn area.
  Alternative - view installation from the stone patio area in the Thai Garden.
   

For onsite assistance talk with our staff and volunteer GLEAM hosts positioned throughout the exhibit route, wearing brightly colored glow sashes and necklaces - they love to help!

• Tickets are non-refundable.
• Tickets are non-transferrable to another date/time.
• Evening viewings of the GLEAM exhibit take place rain or shine.
• In the event of severe weather, such as consistent (lasting longer than 30 mins) heavy downpour, lighting, or a tornado watch/warning, Olbrich Botanical Gardens may close the GLEAM exhibit.
• Cancellations are posted on Olbrich Gardens’ main homepage (olbrich.org), the GLEAM website (olbrichgleam.org) and the Gardens' social media channels by 5 p.m.
• Tickets for canceled viewing dates will be refunded within 3-5 business days. Patrons can repurchase for another available date at their convenience.