Winter Walk of Lights

Bring your family and friends to be dazzled by the magical Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia. Every year from mid-November until just after New Year’s Day, the garden is transformed into a half-mile, walk of lights. Revisit perennial favorites such as the animated Lakeside Lights, the Fountain of Lights, and the Holiday Nature Walk - and look for new displays each year. Put on your walking shoes and bring the family to experience a Northern Virginia festive tradition. Round out your visit by roasting marshmallows and sipping on hot beverages by the fire. (Available for purchase at S'more Snacks Shop).

Opening Hours

2019 Winter Walk of Lights Hours

Friday, November 8, 2019 - Sunday, January 5, 2020 (including holidays)
Open nightly at 5:30 p.m. (The last admission is at 9:15 p.m.  The Winter Walk, concessions and gift shops close at 10 p.m.)
*Timed tickets are required*

Daytime garden hours end daily at 4:30 p.m. All patrons must exit the Gardens and the Visitor Center at this time. The first entry time for the Winter Walk of Lights begins each night at 5:30 p.m.

Features & Attractions

About the 2019 show ...

This year, Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights starts on Friday, November 8, 2019, and continues every night (Thanksgiving, Christmas and News Year’s too!) through Sunday, January 5, 2020. The Winter Walk of Lights is illuminating the gardens in its 8th year and now receives as many as 75,000 to 80,000 visitors each year.

TICKETS GO ON SALE IN EARLY OCTOBER.

The lowest tickets prices can be found at winterwalkoflights.eventbrite.com.  Online tickets are sold with specific entrance times so that the flow of visitors can be better managed and to provide ample (free) parking and the most magical experience!  For weekends, holidays and the last two weeks in December, it is advantageous to purchase tickets online well in advance to guarantee your admission.  Some entrance times (especially early evenings) and entire days may sell out both online and on site at Meadowlark. The Winter Walk of Lights is self-guided as signs direct visitors along the Walk.  Guests may move along the pathways at their own pace.

Service dogs only are permitted; no pets allowed otherwise. Outside food is not permitted. 

Snowflake Shoppe & Garden Gift Shop

Sparkle with festive light-up jewelry, hats, scarves, sabers, and wands! Just inside the Visitor Center, the Snowflake Shoppe offers so many fun ways to illuminate yourself for the Winter Walk. Looking for a great gift?  At the end of your Winter Walk as you reenter the Visitor Center, stop in the Blossoms Garden Gift Shop. Unique gifts for everyone on your list include holiday and home décor, apparel, stationary, garden themed toys for youngsters and the young-at-heart, and, if you are lucky—Meadowlark honey!  

S'MORE SNACKS SHOP

Hungry?  Looking to Warm Up?  Stop by the S`MORE SNACKS SHOP by the fire on the Garden Patio. Offering a variety of fireside favorites, the S`more Snacks Shop accepts cash, VISA, AMEX and MasterCard. Warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, and hot cider. A Winter Walk favorite is the s`more kit – roasting your marshmallows at the fire makes this treat even more scrumptious!  Other delicious items include popcorn, marshmallows, Gatorade, water, and milk.

Special Events & activities

Meet a friend amphibian on Nature Nights, create a holiday decoration on Craft Night or take a photo for your family holiday card on Funny Photo Nights. Visit Meadowlark's events page for details. 

FIRST RESPONDERS, TEACHER AND MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHTS

As a special thank you, these professionals will receive free admission with one paying guest on their appreciation nights. Check out these and other specials on our events page.

Spirit Coupons Make Fundraising Easy and Fun 

Instead of one spirit night, the Spirit Coupons Fundraiser program gives your organizations 18 nights to use its unique coupon code to receive $2 off each ticket purchased online.  Your organization will earn $1 for each ticket sold using your unique coupon code.  We provide artwork for your own promotional flyer and photos and post ideas for your Facebook or website so that promoting your fundraiser is easy! 

Learn more

Learn more

Sign up form

Sign up form

In order to ensure your Winter Walk of Lights experience please purchase your tickets online prior to your visit. Tickets are not available at the door on peak nights and special events.

Please note: All tickets are final sale and are not refundable.  Tickets may be transferred to a different date/time prior to the entry time of the ticket.  The availability of tickets for another date and time is not guaranteed.  To transfer a ticket to another date and/or time, customers should go to their tickets at Eventbrite.com and select the order to be changed.  EDIT/TRANSFER will be to the right.  Click on TRANSFER and follow the prompts to select a new date (event) and time.  This has to be done separately for each ticket.  Ticket cannot be transferred after the ticket’s entry time.