For the best experience, guests are strongly encouraged to review the entire Know Before You Go webpage!

Timed Ticketing

Advanced timed ticketing ensures shorter entry lines, and even guest flow throughout the exhibit route. Guests are admitted every 15 minutes. No onsite ticket sales during exhibit viewings.

TICKET PRICING
September

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

Increased pricing applies during Cycropia's pop-up performances on September 26 & 27.

October
Wednesdays/Thursdays

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

Fridays/Saturdays

$22 – General Admission
$18 – Member
$10 – Child (age 6-12)
FREE – 5 & Under

Need ticket assistance call 608-243-0156 - available Monday-Friday, 9 am - 4 pm. 

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

Pop-Up Events

OPENING VIEWING
Saturday, August 30, 8-11 p.m.
LED performers from Cirque du Cham will perform continuously throughout the exhibit route during the viewing. Meet the creators - artists from around the globe will be at the Gardens on opening night to talk with you about each installation.

  • $27 – General Admission
  • $22 – Member
  • $13 – Child (member and non-member)

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ADULTS ONLY VIEWINGS
Thursday, September 11 & Thursday, October 9

  • Must be 21+ to attend – Be prepared to show ID if requested
  • Beverage service available in Olbrich's lobby area
  • Standard pricing applies

Additionally, if you are looking for a more grown up experience at GLEAM and cannot attend during a designated "Adults Only" viewing, visit on school days (Wed/Thurs) or during later entry times (after 8:30 p.m.) when the little ones are sweet dreaming.

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FAMILY NIGHT VIEWING
Friday, September 19
This family focused viewing will feature – 

  • Marvelous Michelle Bubble Lady Extraordinaire creating a magical UV bubble experience!
  • Madison Area Juggler performances with illuminated LED clubs!
  • Draw an electric neon chalk creation at our UV station!
  • Standard pricing applies

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CYCROPIA POP-UP PERFORMANCES
Friday, September 26 & Saturday, September 27

Cycropia Aerial Dance will perform continuously throughout the viewing in the Thai Garden plus two additional locations within the exhibit route

  • Ticket pricing
    • $27 – General Admission
    • $22 – Member
    • $13 – Child (member and non-member)

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Parking

  • 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.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchairs, (2) electric scooters, and (2) upright rollator walkers are available - first-come, first-served.
  • The majority of the tour route consists of flat, 6'-12’ wide brick or cement pathways.

Exhibit Route

  • Access a mobile-friendly map on your own phone.
  • Exhibit can be easily navigated without use of a map - follow onsite wayfinding markers.
  • 0.67 mile loop moving counter-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 installation.
  • After viewing the final installation in the Sunken Garden guests will exit the outdoor turnstile (wheelchair accessible).

Potential Navigation Challenges

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.

  • Luminous Echoes (1st installation) is viewable from the ground floor. 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).
    Alternative - view the installation from the ground level only
     
  • Reflections in Nature (2nd installation) is a video mapping installation that includes quick motion graphics that sometimes produce a strobe like effect.
    Alternative - take the pathway to the right of the LOVE letters, suspend in the tree, to bypass the Event Garden completely.
     
  • Tetra (3rd installation) located in the Woods of Wonder this installation is positioned in a wood mulch area.
    Alternative - view installation from main pathway and then continue on the exhibit
     
  • Astral Relics of the North Wood (4th installation) is positioned in wide open grassy area with mulched pathways. This installation also has a smoke effect positioned at the center.
    Alternative - view the installation from main pathway to remain on even paved ground and to avoid the smoke, and then continue on the exhibit route towards the Thai bridge
     
  • Birds Fly Around with You (5th installation) in the Thai Garden is positioned on a lawn area.
    Alternative - view installation from the stone patio area in the Thai Garden.
     
  • Wave (8th installation) on the Great Lawn is positioned on a wide open the lawn area. This installation includes repetitive light rings that can create a slow strobe like effect.
    Alternative  - view installation from the main pathway encircling the Great Lawn.

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!

Cancellation Policy

  • Tickets are non-refundable / 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 6 p.m.
  • Tickets for cancelled viewing dates will be refunded within 3-5 business days. Patrons can repurchase for another available date at their convenience.

Additional Information

  • Restrooms are available in Olbrich's Lobby.
  • Inclusive restrooms are available in the Frautschi Family Learning Center.

A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available in Olbrich's lobby on Friday and Saturday evenings. Cash or credit cards accepted. Carry-ins not allowed.
Beverage service will also be available during "Adults Only" viewings on September 11 & October 9.

Most installations feature a soundscape, the use of sound and music to create the atmosphere of a story being told. These sounds may include background noises, sound effects, spoken words, or musical instruments.

During high traffic periods, typically Friday & Saturday evenings from 6:30 or 7:30-9 p.m. you may encounter an optional wait to directly interact with certain installations. Guests are welcome to view the installation and continue on the tour route if they do not wish to wait in line. Some alternative routes are noted on the map with a dotted line.

Guests are welcome, in fact encouraged, to take photos of the exhibit.
Please be mindful of other guests when taking photographs, avoid blocking the traffic flow through the exhibit route.
Monopod acceptable, no tripods, please.

Questions?

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