Free Admission includes up to five immediate family members
Encinitas CA— After the sun goes down in December, the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland! More than 125,000 sparkling lights illuminate the flora of this fantastic 37-acre urban oasis each evening from 5 – 9 pm for a magical holiday experience.
Active duty military just need to show your Military ID at the Welcome Center on any of the dates listed below for FREE admission at San Diego Botanic Garden located, 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas.
5 –9 pm
- December 8
- December 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
- December 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
- December 26, 27, 28, & 29
Bring the family and experience the magic as 100,000 sparkling lights illuminate several spectacular Garden areas, including the iconic Lawn Garden, Tropical Rainforest, Waterfall Deck, Undersea Succulent Garden, Eucalyptus Grove, Seeds of Wonder (children’s area) and Bamboo Garden, containing the nation’s largest collection of bamboo.
Garden of Lights, from December 3 – 23 & 26 – 30, is the San Diego Botanic Garden’s annual gift to the San Diego Community. Garden of Lights has events and activities that everyone in your family will enjoy. Nightly entertainment, including local blues and jazz bands, as well as delicious food from Red Oven Artisanal Pizza and Pasta, and hot coffee and treats from the Feel Good Coffee Cart, will be available. Numerous family-friendly activities are also part of the festivities including:
- Horse-drawn wagon rides (on selected evenings)
- Holiday Crafts
- Spin Art
- Marshmallow Roasting
- Visits with Santa (December 5 – 23)
- Hot Mulled Wine (on selected evenings)
- Snow for sledding (on selected evenings)
- Puppet Shows (on selected evenings)
- Holiday Carolers (on selected evenings)
- Nutcracker display
Unique plant-related gift items will be on sale at our Gift Shops for the plant lovers in your life. Cork purses, garden-themed jewelry, hats, aprons, candles, and garden art are all available. As well as winter plants, ready to enhance your holiday garden.
We invite our brave service members and their families to come out and experience the holidays ‘Southern California Style’ at San Diego Botanic Garden’s Garden of Lights!
Tickets for Garden of Lights are available at the Welcome Center at the SD Botanic Garden on the evening of visitation. There are no advance ticket sales available at the Garden or on the website.
For more information visit SDBGarden.org/military-specials.