It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Your Guide to Winterfest of Lights 2026

Nov. 19 - Jan. 2

Every Winterfest experience begins the same way: Show your $6 ticket at the door (or purchase one on-site; ages 11 and under are free) and enter the Winterfest tent! Inside, you’ll find a glittering holiday landscape featuring Santa Claus, the Winterfest gift shop, photo opportunities, twinkling lights, the Trees for the Arts display, and so much more!

From there, guests are welcome to exit the tent and enter the Winterfest of Lights to experience dozens of light displays, the Field of Lights, interactive elements, and more! The centerpiece is the awe-inspiring 50-foot Christmas tree that anchors the whole festival. Choose a walking experience and take in the lights on foot, or opt for a surrey.

As you wander through the lights, stop by the concessions for a hot chocolate, take kiddos to the rides, and cozy up by the bonfire!

In summary:

Inside the tent:

• Photos with Santa
• Photo opportunities
• Winterfest gift shop
• Trees for the Arts
• Live music (select nights)

Outside in the park:

• The option to walk or ride a surrey
• Classic light displays plus new additions
• Photo ops throughout the park
• The 50-foot Christmas tree
• Kids’ rides
• Interactive elements
• Hot chocolate & snacks
• Bonfires

Nov. 20, 21, 27, 28
Dec. 4*, 5, 11*, 12, 18*, 19, 26*
Jan. 1, 2

* = ice carving nights

Returning for the second are Fire & Ice Nights! These special Winterfest nights will take place on Fridays & Saturdays (excl. 12/25) and will feature live entertainment inside the tent plus various "fire and ice" touches throughout the festival. One night per week will even feature on-site ice carving by Ice Lab, which is a treat to watch! Fire & Ice nights are a fun pick for friend groups, couples, or anyone who wants an extra exciting night at Winterfest.

Fire & Ice Details:

• Live entertainment inside the tent
• On-site ice carving by Ice Lab
• Additional “fire and ice” elements around the park

Nov. 30
Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22

There’s nothing quite as Hallmark-coded as a horse-drawn carriage ride, especially when surrounded by Christmas music and thousands of sparkling lights! On select Enchanted Evenings, hop aboard a buggy for a horse-drawn ride through Northside Park. This is a great option if you prefer a relaxed pace, as the festival is closed to only carriage riders. You’ll still get the full festive atmosphere, with extra perks reserved for these special evenings. Enjoy the ride, Winterfest tent access with smaller crowds, a photo with Santa, and exclusive gift shop browsing. Reserve your tickets now!

Enchanted Evenings Details:

• A horse-drawn carriage ride through the lights
• Exclusive gift shop browsing
• Food options
• A photo with Santa
• Smaller crowds

Wednesdays all season long

Winterfest is one of the few holiday festivals where your four-legged friends get to join! On Wednesdays, dogs are welcome to come along, providing a wonderful opportunity to get a festive holiday photo with your pup in front of the glowing displays. Bring a leash, dress your pup in their cutest holiday sweater, and make it a family night

All season

Step inside the Winterfest Tent and make a memory your family will treasure for generations with a photo alongside Santa Claus. He’s traveled all the way from the North Pole to join the festivities, and will be on site most nights through December 23rd.

Once Santa heads home to prepare for the big day, the magic doesn’t stop. A whimsical cast of characters takes over for the rest of the season, ready to meet and greet visitors and add even more festive moments to your evening. Between the twinkling lights and the cheerful company, you’ll find plenty of photo-worthy moments waiting around every corner.

Dec. 29-31

From December 29 through 31, Winterfest turns into a scavenger hunt with Coca-Cola giveaways. The mission? Find one of the Coca-Cola bottles hidden within the festival for your chance to win a cool prize! This one is especially fun for families with kids, since it turns a stroll through the lights into a treasure hunt. After finding a winning bottle, return to the Winterfest tent to exchange it for a prize.

Dec. 31 & Jan. 1

This year, Winterfest features not one, but two fireworks celebrations, so you can choose the one that suits your family best. On New Year’s Eve, fireworks will kick off at midnight to mark the arrival of 2027. The next day, the celebration moves downtown to Caroline Street for a second fireworks show at 7pm.