Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens

Garden Highlights Menu

This year, from mid-November through early January, The Garden of Lights display transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll through the one-half mile, outdoor, walk-through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and grounds throughout the 50-acre horticultural gem in Wheaton.

The Brookside Gardens’ Gift Shop will be open for Garden of Lights starting at 5pm and is the perfect place to find inspired gift items, or pick up that scarf you forgot to bring. The Gift Shop will close 30 minutes after the last available ticket entry time.

Event information:

Tickets are per person and timed entry with a specific day and entrance time for your arrival.
Anyone age 5 and under is free.
Please arrive at the time of scheduled entry.
Tickets are non-refundable but are transferable if requested by 4 pm the day of ticketed date.
Garden of Lights is an outdoor, rain or shine event. Please dress accordingly.

What are the dates and times for Garden of Lights 2026?
Garden of Lights 2026 dates and hours will be announced in summer 2026. Check back later for more details.

How much is admission to Garden of Lights 2026?
Off Peak Days Sundays – Thursdays: $13.99 (includes $1.99 service fee). Peak Days Fridays and Saturdays: $16.99 (includes $1.99 service fee). Ticket costs are per person. Anyone age 5 and under are FREE.

How do I get tickets for Garden of Lights 2026?
Tickets will go on sale online October 12, 2026. Please use the link above to purchase tickets. All tickets must be purchased in advance online before your visit. Same-day tickets must be purchased by 4pm.

Will tickets be sold at the gate?
No, tickets for Garden of Lights will not be sold at the gates. All tickets must be purchased in advance before your visit.

So, I have purchased my tickets. What do I do when I arrive?
Please arrive at the time of scheduled entry. Have the QR code readily available for the team member to scan at the entrance. If your ticket is on your phone, please have the tickets on your screen and maximize the light.

Are tickets refundable for Garden of Lights 2026?
All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable. Garden of Lights is open during rain, snow, and clear weather. Please dress appropriately for the weather the day of your visit.  However, if Brookside Gardens does cancel the event, you will be refunded the full ticket price per person.

Are service fees refundable?
No, service fees are nonrefundable. These are service fees charged by our ticketing vendor.

If you need to exchange your tickets to an alternative date or time, see instructions below.

Please keep these things in mind when transferring tickets:
You cannot transfer your tickets when viewing them through a third party such as ApplePay or PayPal. 

You can only transfer your tickets up to 4pm on the day of your scheduled event.

Once the event has occurred, you can no longer transfer your tickets. Garden of Lights tickets are nonrefundable. 

Are you offering any discounts for Garden of Lights 2026?
No discounts are available.

Can I use my tickets from the previous Garden of Lights?
No, tickets from previous years are not valid for Garden of Lights 2026. You must buy tickets online for Garden of Lights 2026. Each person above age five in your party must have a ticket.

What type of experience is Garden of Lights?
Garden of Lights is an outdoor walk-through light exhibit on a half-mile paved trail featuring secular displays of flowers, plants, insects, animals, and other characters. The light display is open during rain, snow, and clear weather.

Will there be live music during Garden of Lights 2026?
No, there will not be any live musical performances this year at Garden of Lights. There will be choreographed recorded music to go along with some light displays.

Will the miniature train display be on exhibit in the Conservatory during Garden of Lights?
No, The Garden Railway exhibit will not be open during Garden of Lights hours. You can view the Garden Railway exhibit for free during the Conservatory’s daytime hours from 10 am to 3:45 pm, Saturday, November 29 – Sunday, January 4 (closed on December 24 and 25 and January 1). Note: Buildings and grounds will close to the public at 4 pm each day during Garden of Lights then reopen for the ticketed event at 5:00 pm.

Will the Visitor Center be open during Garden of Lights?
Yes, the Visitor Center will be open until one hour after the last available ticket entry time, and bathrooms will be available. The Gift Shop will close 30 minutes after the last available ticket entry time.

Will there be concessions at Garden of Lights?
Yes. Hot drinks and light refreshments will be available for purchase at the food vendor outdoors.

Can I bring my own food?
Outside food and drink, other than bottled water, is not permitted at Brookside Gardens.

Can I bring my dog to Garden of Lights?
Only service dogs are allowed at Brookside Gardens.

How do I dress for Garden of Lights?
Garden of Lights is an outdoor light display enjoyed by walking. The full experience is about one-half mile. Wear comfortable shoes, and dress for the weather. Garden of Lights is open during rain, snow, or clear skies.

If the weather is bad, how do I find out if Garden of Lights 2026 is canceled?
Visit Brookside Gardens’ website and Facebook page for updates.

Can I arrive early to Brookside Gardens and stay until Garden of Lights opens?
No, Brookside Gardens will close to all visitors at 4pm then reopen at 5pm to Garden of Lights ticket holders.

Can I leave Garden of Lights and come back on the same night?
No, re-entry is not allowed.

Are the paths at Gardens of Lights 2026 accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?
Yes, the paths are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

Can I borrow a wheelchair at Garden of Lights 2026?
Yes, we have a limited number of wheelchairs available at the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis.

Will bathrooms be open?
Yes, bathrooms will be open at the Visitor Center until one hour after the last available ticket entry time during Garden of Lights.

Will the Gift Shop be open?
Yes, the Gift Shop at the Visitor Center will be open until 30 minutes after the last available ticket entry time during Garden of Lights for you to take home a souvenir and for holiday shopping.

Is photography allowed during Garden of Lights?
Personal photography is allowed.  All special occasion photography requires a permit. This includes, but not limited to, proposals, weddings, engagements, family, and birthday photo shoots. If you are unsure if your photos require a permit, contact us to find out: BrooksidePhotos@montgomeryparks.org or 301.962.1404.

Can I have a party or special ceremony during Garden of Lights?
Yes, limited opportunities are available. Contact our events office: BrooksideRentals@montgomeryparks.org or 301.962.1404.

Can I tag you on social media?
YES! Brookside Gardens is @BrooksideGardens on Facebook. Our account is “Brookside Gardens, Montgomery Parks.” On Instagram and Twitter, please tag @MontgomeryParks and use hashtags #BrooksideGardens #MoCoParks.

Can I do a live shot or livestreaming at Garden of Lights?
Please contact Media Manager at MC-Public.Affairs@montgomeryparks.org.

Have an additional question about Garden of Lights?

Contact Brookside Gardens’ information desk at 301.962.1400, the Garden of Lights Ticketing Coordinator at 301-962-1420, or email support@event-help.com for ticket transfer assistance or Gardens@MontgomeryParks.org for questions about the experience.