Experience the wonder of nature this holiday season!
Open select evenings Nov. 20-Dec. 31, 2025
Featuring a dazzling array of lights, the Arboretum’s annual Winter Lights walking tour transforms our buildings and gardens
into an illuminated wonderland with nature-themed light displays at every turn.
Winter Lights is an immersive indoor and outdoor nighttime experience that celebrates the beauty and wonder of plants in winter. Set across the Arboretum’s walkable pathways and indoor spaces, this year’s botanical-themed light displays highlight the University of Minnesota’s historic plant introductions and innovations. Visitors will encounter dazzling tunnels, glowing gardens and nature-inspired installations that illuminate the magic of the natural world.
Winter Lights offers a vibrant and meaningful way to connect with nature, family and community during the holiday season!
Photo by Phil Zumsteg
General Admission Tickets
Tickets are now on sale! Use the calendar below to purchase
Time & Dates: 4:30-9 p.m. daily, Nov. 21-26, 28-30 and Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-23, 26-30
Cost: Children free (15 and younger), $10 members, $25 non-members
Special Theme Nights
- Nov. 20 | Opening Night: $5 children (15 and younger), $10 members, $25 non-members
- Dec. 3 and 4 | Adults’ Night Out: $10 members, $25 non-members
- Dec. 11 and 18 | Family Nights: $5 children (15 and younger), $10 members, $25 non-members
- Dec. 31 | New Year's Eve: $5 children (15 and younger), $10 members, $25 non-members
Discounted Tickets
- Become a member to save $15 per ticket for Winter Lights!
- Indigenous peoples receive member pricing when making a reservation by calling 612-301-6775.
- Groups of 10 or more can receive 20% off their admission ticket by calling our ticketing team at 612-301-6775.
A $10 rescheduling fee applies per order, excluding weather-related changes made by the Arboretum. All requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. the day before your originally scheduled visit.
2025 Ticket Calendar
Find your preferred date and then click on "Admission (with free parking)" to reserve your tickets with free Arboretum parking. You will be directed to our ticketing website where you can then select a specific time and complete your registration.
Having trouble purchasing your tickets? Note that all discounts apply at the end of the transaction. For more information and additional ticket details check out our FAQs
November 2025
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 Opening Night | 21 General Admission Night | 22 General Admission Night |
23 General Admission Night | 24 General Admission Night | 25 General Admission Night | 26 General Admission Night | 27 | 28 General Admission Night | 29 General Admission Night |
30 General Admission Night |
December 2025
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 Adults' Night Out | 4 Adults' Night Out | 5 General Admission Night | 6 General Admission Night | |
7 General Admission Night | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 Family Night | 12 General Admission Night | 13 General Admission Night |
14 General Admission Night | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 Family Night | 19 General Admission Night | 20 General Admission Night |
21 General Admission Night | 22 General Admission Night | 23 General Admission Night | 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 |
Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis
Opening Night — Thursday, Nov. 20, 6-9 p.m.
Join the fun as we officially light up the Arboretum with Winter Lights!
The lighting ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. and include a welcome, thank you to our generous sponsors and count down to light up the Great Hall. Enjoy cookies and hot cocoa while you get the first look at 2025 Winter Lights!
Adults’ Night Out — Wednesday, Dec. 3 and Thursday, Dec. 4, 4:30-9 p.m.
Stroll through the glowing outdoor displays, then warm up inside with a night full of music, tastings and games just for adults!
- MacMillan Auditorium – Enjoy live music that sets the perfect mood.
- Rootstock - Dinner will be available for purchase from 5-8 p.m.; no reservation needed.
- Snyder Lobby – Sip and savor at our wine, beer and mocktail tasting stations.
- Snyder Auditorium – Join in the fun with friendly competitions, including a puzzle challenge (5-6 p.m.) and trivia showdown (7-9 p.m.).
- Tea Room – Play your favorites games in this cozy setting.
It’s the perfect night out — whether you’re on a date, with friends or just looking for a one-of-a-kind evening under the lights.
Family Nights — Thursdays, Dec. 11 and 18, 4:30-9 p.m.
Bring the whole family to enjoy the magic of Winter Lights together! In addition to strolling through the sparkling displays, you’ll find cozy activities and treats the kids (and adults!) will love.
- Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
- Winter-themed coloring pages and family board games to play together
- Dinner available for purchase at Rootstock
- Keepsake wood cookie craft project available for purchase from Glacier Lane
Create memories, sip something warm and share the wonder of Winter Lights with your loved ones.
New Year’s Eve — Wednesday, Dec. 31, 4:30-9 p.m.
Ring in 2026 with a sparkling celebration for all ages! Stroll the indoor and outdoor light displays, then warm up inside with music, games and festive fun.
- Live music by Traveled Ground from 6-9 p.m.
- Family-friendly games and playful photo opportunities
- Dinner available at Rootstock
- Countdown celebrations on the hour at 6, 7, 8, 9 p.m. with a ball drop
- Party favors for all attendees
- Add your 2026 hopes to the New Year Wish Tree
- Keepsake craft project with Glacier Lane (details coming soon)
A joyful way to welcome the new year — perfect for families, friends and anyone looking for a bright start to 2026!
Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis
Agriculture/Harvest
- "An apple a day" by the Carver County Historical Society- Historic Andrew Peterson Farmstead | Waconia
- "ROCing Innovation in Agriculture and Beyond" by the UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center | Morris
- "Three Sisters of Abundance" by Dream of Wild Health | Minneapolis
Floral Design
- "A Florist-Tree" by Eliza Rose Floral | Robbinsdale
- "Glistening Gold Glory" by Party Full of Posies | Roseville
- "The Beauty of Winter" by AlmaRose Floral | Shorewood
Gardening/Horticulture
- "A Hundred Years of Horticulture" by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board | Minneapolis
- "Honey and Holly" by Hartman Companies | Victoria
- "Growing with Our Community" by the Carver County Library | Chaska
- "People and Plants for the Planet" by the Arboretum Leadership Team | Chaska
- "Season's Readings" by the Andersen Horticultural Library | Chaska
- "IRIS: The Rainbow Flower" by the Iris Society of Minnesota | Blaine
Nature/Seasons
- "Nature Adorned" by the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club | Excelsior
- "River of Memories" by the Mississippi Park Connection | St. Paul
- "Celebration of Winter" by the Arboretum Auxiliary | Chaska
- "The Arboretum's Impact in Every Season" by the Arboretum Membership & Annual Giving Team | Chaska
- "Through the Seasons" by the Arboretum Marketing & Communications Team | Chaska
Plants/Wildlife
- "Itasca: Nature's Laboratory, Beaver-Approved" by the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories | Lake Itasca
- "Biodiversi-Tree" by the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve | East Bethel
- "Our Wild Kin" by the West Metro Chapter of Minnesota Master Naturalists | Morris
- "Fir-ends of the Boundary Waters" by the Friends of the Boundary Waters | St. Paul
- "Toadstool Tannenbaum" by the Minnesota Mycological Society | Eagan
- "Gifts From the Savanna" by Minnesota Natural Landscapes | Otsego