There’s something so wonderful about being out on a clear night. Whether it’s sitting around a bonfire on the beach, watching some fireworks at Disneyland or simply relaxing in the backyard there’s just something special about being under the stars. So, when I was invited to pay a nighttime  visit to South Coast Botanic Garden for the light show Astra Lumina, of course, I had to go.

I’d previously visited South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes but it was the middle of the day and the weather was warm and sunny. I enjoyed wandering the nature trails but never thought about returning after dark so I was very curious to check out Astra Lumina. I had no idea what to expect and honestly thought it would just consist of some light displays scattered throughout the grounds. It was so much more than that.

Astra Lumina is an immersive experience that brings the cosmos to earth. Visitors follow a meandering path and encounter the journey of the stars through their life cycles. As you wander, you’ll experience the heavenly bodies as they emerge, fall to earth and are reborn.

While you walk along the foggy path, lighted placards guide the way and an ethereal soundtrack provides an aura of cosmic energy. Along the way are various stations where you’ll experience illuminated installations, some of which are interactive.

It’s an utterly unique experience, although, I must admit the space age theme and synth heavy soundtrack seemed a bit much to me. Despite that, the installations were so impressive that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Plus, it was fun, really fun, to wander the garden at night, surrounded by lasers and glowing orbs.

Even if you’re not into space age themes, I still recommend Astra Lumina. It’s quite an experience to walk through a botanical garden at night and the installations are beautiful. It runs through January 29 and is proving to be quite popular, so I recommend getting your tickets before it sells out. You won’t be disappointed.