Winter Lights
Experience the walking tour on select dates Nov. 16-Dec. 31!
Stroll through the Arboretum gardens decked out in Winter Lights. Enjoy fresh air as you explore outdoor light displays, highlighting flowers, trees and the beauty of nature, on the one-mile, self-guided walking route.
New for 2023 will be a color-changing tunnel, a Winter Village on Scarecrow Hill and a field of sunflowers, all with more lights than ever before! Revisit the 16-foot Weeping Willow in a new space and walk through a giant apple, which pays tribute to the Arboretum’s Horticultural Research Center’s apple breeding, including the Honeycrisp apple. Roast marshmallows over an open fire at the S’mores Village (s’mores kits for four people on sale for $7) or visit the Oswald Visitor Center for sandwiches, light snacks and a full cash bar.
The Arboretum’s Oswald Visitor Center and Snyder Building will be decorated for the season with a 25-foot Cuetlaxóchitl Tree (pronounced "kwet-la-SHO-she") (Poinsettia Tree) and multiple seasonally decorated, fresh-cut trees. The Cuetlaxóchitl Tree, created using more than 500 living plants, will display colors of red, white and pink poinsettias. You might also hear holiday tunes from local performers from our live Winter Music Series, offered on most weekends.
Don't miss the special theme nights for families, couples and photographers offered on select nights.
Learn more about the heated bus option!
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday general admission nights, visitors can buy Winter Lights tickets with the SouthWest Transit bus option. There is no additional charge to take the bus – your bus ride is included with your regular Winter Lights ticket admission price. Simply select the "Bus Transit + Admission" option for your preferred date on the calendar.
Plan to be at the bus station at least 10 minutes before your time slot is scheduled to begin. The bus will leave exactly at the start of your time slot in order to get to the Arboretum. It is a short 10-minute ride (4.5 miles) from the East Creek Station to the Arb. Tickets designated with the bus option will not be accepted at the Arboretum gatehouse entrance.
Winter Lights Tickets
Find your preferred date on the calendar below and then decide whether you want to park at the Arboretum (click on "Arb Parking + Admission") or take the SouthWest Transit bus (click on "Bus Transit + Admission").
You will be directed to our ticketing website where you can then select a specific time and complete your reservation.
Important Note: Everyone – regardless of membership level or donor status – needs a timed ticket for Winter Lights. The grounds will close so Winter Lights attendees must have a separate ticket and enter the grounds only after they're open for Winter Lights.
December 2023
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
3 General Admission Night | 4 | 5 | 6 *For photographers only* Photographer Night | 7 Family Night | 8 General Admission Night | 9 General Admission Night 6-7:30 p.m. Music |
10 General Admission Night 6-7:30 p.m. Music | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 Date Night Sold Out! | 15 General Admission Night 6-7:30 p.m. Music | 16 General Admission Night 6-7:30 p.m. Music |
17 General Admission Night 6-7:30 p.m. Music | 18 General Admission Night | 19 General Admission Night | 20 General Admission Night | 21 Family Night | 22 General Admission Night 6-7:30 p.m. Music | 23 General Admission Night 6-7:30 p.m. Music |
24 | 25
| 26 General Admission Night | 27 General Admission Night | 28 General Admission Night | 29 General Admission Night | 30 General Admission Night |
31 New Year's Eve Party 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Arb Parking & Admission |
Ticket rescheduling is available at a $5 per order fee. Call 612-301-6775 to reschedule. Tickets must be rescheduled for a like-priced event at Winter Lights 2023. Rescheduling does not apply to Opening Night or the New Year's Eve Party.
We don’t issue refunds for tickets unless the Arboretum is closed by the University of Minnesota or State of Minnesota due to a weather emergency. If the display is closed, we will email ticket holders.