Winter Lights 2026: Powered by MidAmerican Energy Foundation

About this event

10TH ANNUAL WINTER LIGHTS POWERED BY MIDAMERICAN ENERGY FOUNDATION

ADVANCED TICKETS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, POPULAR DATES AND TIMES MAY SELL OUT

DATES AND TIMES

11.20-12.13 WED-SUN

12.16-1.3 AND 1.8-1.9 DAILY*

*Holiday Schedule

Last Entry 8:30PM

Open: New Year’s Eve

Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Day

EXHIBIT ADMISSION

$12 Adults | $8 Youth 2-15 | Free Under 2

Members $10 Adults | $6 Youth 2-15 | Free Under 2

Botanical Center members and FunBundle members will enjoy free admission Wednesday nights during the exhibit. Memberships can be purchased on qcgardens.com.

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

Step into a glowing garden filled with over 400,000 LED lights, adorning over 5 acres of grounds. Explore an indoor and outdoor immersive experience as you wander and find the glistening pond, Culture Bright Neon Forest, Crawford Company Tropical Sun Garden, Children's Garden, decorated lawns, and themed pocket gardens. Along the way, pop inside to try our famous hot cocoa, locally made treats, or roast s'mores at the outdoor fire tables. Kids can enjoy making scratcher art and winter coloring sheets.

New this year, rent a private igloo for your family and friends.

Lighted nature motifs are featured throughout the garden, including insects, plants, and more. Wander at your own pace and see why our largest fundraiser of the year has become a Quad Cities winter tradition.

Botanical Center members and FunBundle members will enjoy free admission Wednesday nights during the exhibit. Memberships can be purchased on qcgardens.com.

Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended at qcgardens.com. For more information on the exhibit, visit: https://www.qcgardens.com/winter-nights-winter-lights.html#/

Please note: Dogs are not allowed in the cocoa room on Lights & Leashes nights.

SPECIAL EVENTS

🎄 OPENING NIGHT: EXHIBIT LIGHTING

11.20 FRIDAY | 6:30PM LIGHTING | 6PM-9PM EXHIBIT

Exhibit Admission

Be there to celebrate opening night of the 10th annual Winter Lights. Guests will gather around the pond for the first lighting of the season after a short introduction of our presenting sponsors, MidAmerican Energy Foundation. The festivities continue with add on experiences offered on this night - including Lights & Flights , featuring a custom selection of food and drink, and a silent disco throughout the gardens , courtesy of Common Chord. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended. Add ons are an additional ticketing option.

🐕 LIGHTS & LEASHES

11.20-1.3 SUNDAYS | 5-9PM

Exhibit Admission

Experience the decorated gardens with your furry friends by your side. Bring your pups for a nighttime stroll every Sunday night. To ensure safety for all visitors and pets, all dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times. Guests are expected to clean up after their pups.

🪴 MEMBERS FREE WEDNESDAYS

11.20-1.3 WEDNESDAYS | 5-9PM

Free for Botanical Center Members and FunBundle Members

Members must show membership card upon entry. Advanced tickets not required.

🩸 IMPACT LIFE BLOOD DRIVE

11.22 SUNDAY | 3-6PM

You have the power to help. By giving blood you’ll provide a lifesaving resource used by patients in the Quad Cities. Donate blood successfully at the donor bus in our parking lot on November 22 to receive four free tickets to the light exhibit plus light glasses. PLUS, successful donors receive the ImpactLife incentive as well. Schedule and appointment at bloodcenter.org or call 800-747-5401. Hosted in collaboration with Visit Quad Cities.

🍕 LIGHTS & FLIGHTS

11.20 FRIDAY 6:45PM-9:00PM and 12.17 THURSDAY 5:30PM-8:30PM

Price varies

Coming soon

👹 KRAMPUS NIGHTS

12.4 FRIDAY AND 12.5 SATURDAY | 6-8PM

Exhibit Admission

Meet the infamous Krampus and take your own photos. Krampus will kick off the evening by leading followers on a march around the Sun Garden beginning at 6PM. Visit with the German American Heritage Center & Museum to make Krampus masks and learn the folklore of Krampus. After the Krampus March is complete around 6:15, Krampus will be stationed in a designated area and will not be roaming the gardens.

🎅🤶 SANTA & THE MRS. VISIT

12.11 FRIDAY AND 12.12 SATURDAY | 5-8PM

Exhibit Admission

Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and take your own photos. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended. Early time slots may sell out.

Thank you to our sponsors: MidAmerican Energy Foundation, The Cultural Trust, Valley Construction, Boyler’s Ornamental Iron, Family Credit Union, Crawford Company, Sunbelt Rentals, Penske Truck Rental, BankOrion

YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Purchase a membership for FREE ADMISSION for one year, including entrance to Winter Lights on Wednesdays. Or make gift-giving easy and surprise loved ones with a membership. Go to qcgardens.com/memberships to start your holiday shopping now. Winter Lights Information

Know Before You Go:

The majority of our exhibit is outdoors, we recommend wearing weather-appropriate outdoor gear to best enjoy the exhibit. There is a paved pathway, and guests may venture off the path into the lawns. Based on recent weather (snow, melting ice, rain, etc), the ground may be soft or muddy – appropriate footwear recommended. If the grounds are deemed unfit for exploring, some lawn areas may be limited. Our gardens feature a paved pathway making our gardens accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and others.

Tips:

Stop in to the indoor cocoa room to purchase hot drinks, cocoa, and treats. Enjoy the indoor decor as you warm up inside. Kids can enjoy making scratcher art and winter coloring sheets.

Tag us on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to be featured on our social media: @qcgardens

Become a Member! Members get in free to Winter Lights each Wednesday of the exhibit. Members must show membership card upon entry. Sign up to become a member here: qcgardens.com/memberships

Map:

View our map: https://www.qcgardens.com/winter-nights-winter-lights.html#/

Winter Lights Powered by MidAmerican Energy Foundation

For all events and information, visit www.qcgardens.com/winter-nights-winter-lights.html

Refund policy: No refunds allowed unless exhibit closed by QCBC, please reschedule your tickets to another night.

From Quad City Botanical Center