Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens

A Half-Mile Walk Through a Million Lights

Garden of Lights is Montgomery County's big holiday walk: half a mile through Brookside Gardens with more than a million lights. It opens Friday, November 20 and runs nightly to January 3, except Thanksgiving week (November 23 to 26), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. It's open rain or shine.

Tickets are timed and sold online only. Sunday through Thursday is $13.99 and Friday and Saturday is $16.99, fees included, and kids 4 and under get in free without a ticket. Entry times start at 5pm. The gardens close at 4 and reopen at 5 for ticket holders, so you can't wander in early. Tickets are nonrefundable, but you can move to another date until 4pm on the day of your ticket, which helps a lot when someone wakes up with a fever.

There's hot chocolate and hot dogs from Catalyst Hot Dogs, and the gift shop is open. My favorite add-on is in the daytime: the Garden Railway model trains run for free from November 28 to January 3, 10am to 3:45pm (closed Dec 24, 25 and Jan 1). Montgomery Parks hasn't posted this year's last-entry time, so check your ticket before you plan a late night.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Go Sunday to Thursday. It's $3 cheaper per person than Friday and Saturday.
• ✓Little ones are free. Kids 4 and under don't need a ticket.
• ✓See the trains by day. The Garden Railway is free from 10am to 3:45pm, Nov 28 to Jan 3.
• ✓Dress for the weather. It's an outdoor walk and it runs rain or shine.
• ✓Know the change rule. You can switch to another date until 4pm on your ticket date.

Questions Parents Ask

When is Garden of Lights 2026 at Brookside Gardens?

November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, nightly from 5pm. It's closed November 23 to 26, December 24 and 25, and January 1.

How much are Garden of Lights tickets?

$13.99 Sunday through Thursday and $16.99 Friday and Saturday, fees included. Kids 4 and under are free. Tickets are timed and sold online only.

Is parking free at Brookside Gardens?

Yes. Park for free at the 1800 and 1500 Glenallan Avenue entrances.

Can I change my Garden of Lights ticket?

Tickets are nonrefundable, but you can move to another date until 4pm on the date of your ticket.