Encinitas CA— Santa Claus came early to the San Diego Botanic Garden this year and decided to offer FREE Admission for Active Duty Military and up to 5 immediate family members, 5-9:00pm on the following dates, during Garden of Lights:

• December  3, 4, 5, 6, 7
• December 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
• December 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
• December 26, 27, 28

After the sun goes down in December, the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland Southern California style! 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.
Bring the family and experience the magic as you wander down the illuminated paths of 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 2 – 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 3-7, 10-14 & 19-21)
• Hot Mulled Wine (on selected evenings)
• Snow for sledding (on selected evenings)
• Beer (on selected evenings)
• Nutcracker display
• Live entertainment – every night!

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!
Please note: San Diego Botanic Garden is closed one day a year, on Christmas Day, December 25. There will not be any Garden of Lights festivities on this day.
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.
The Garden of Lights is presented by the County of San Diego along with Gold sponsors, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians and Shea Homes.