St. Louis has two big holiday light shows in 2026: Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (Nov 14 to Jan 2, more than 2 million lights) and Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo (select nights Nov 27 to Dec 30, over 1 million lights, $19 general admission, free parking). Read on the organizers’ pages on 2026-10-20.
Garden Glow versus Wild Lights
| Garden Glow | Wild Lights | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. | Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park |
| Dates | Nov 14 to Jan 2, select nights (closed Nov 16 to 19, Nov 26, Dec 24 and 25) | Select nights, Nov 27 to Dec 30 |
| Lights | More than 2 million | Over 1 million |
| Hours | Evenings; times vary by date on the Garden’s calendar (nights listed run 5 to 9:30 p.m.) | 5 to 8:30 p.m., last entry 8 p.m. |
| Price | Varies by date; $2 more after 4:30 p.m. same day | $19 general, $16 members, free for ages 0 to 23 months |
| Parking | Free, two lots at Shaw and Vandeventer plus shuttle | Free, both Zoo lots as available |
| Santa | Mondays and Tuesdays, Nov 23 to Dec 8, 5 to 9 p.m. | Nightly through Dec 23 (last entry 8:15 p.m.) |
Garden Glow, Nov 14 to Jan 2
- Special nights: Member Preview Fri, Nov 13 (members only); Jingle and Mingle, Fri, Nov 20, 7 to 9:30 p.m., adults 21 and over after 6 p.m.; Sensory Night Mon, Nov 30; Family Nights Nov 23 to 24, Nov 30 and Dec 1 to 3, when children 3 to 12 are $6.
- Holiday Flower and Train Show: open nightly during Glow hours and included with admission.
- Meet and greets: Santa (Nov 23 to Dec 8, Mondays and Tuesdays) and The Winter Sisters (Wednesdays Dec 2 to 16 and Dec 30), included with admission.
- Walk length: the Glow path is about one mile and takes 45 minutes to an hour.
- Food: Dine and Glow packages at Sassafras are $20 per adult and $9 per child in advance ($22 and $11 on site); fire pits are at Central Axis and Linnean Plaza.
- Rules: no pets (service animals welcome); animated flashing lights may affect people with photosensitivity; limited capacity, and mid-December through Jan 1 tends to sell out.
Wild Lights, Nov 27 to Dec 30
- Timing: doors open at 5 p.m., last entry is 8 p.m. and the event ends at 8:30 p.m. The Zoo closes to the public at 4 p.m. and re-opens for ticket holders at 5 p.m.; there is no timed entry.
- Tickets: on sale now at the Zoo; tickets are valid only for the date noted and popular dates may sell out.
- Included: Santa visits, the 4D Theater’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D, the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel, firepits for s’mores and several open animal exhibits; new for 2026 are the Herpetarium, Dinoroarus and the Primate House.
- Extra cost: the Wild Explorer Virtual Reality Experience is $5. Stroller and wheelchair rental fees apply.
- Sensory-Friendly Night: Dec 7.
Still unconfirmed
- Garden Glow ticket prices for each date (the Garden lists them only on its calendar).
- Which Wild Lights nights are sold out.
Not yet announced here. We check both organizers’ pages weekly and update this guide when anything changes.
Frequently asked questions
When do Garden Glow and Wild Lights start and end?
Garden Glow runs Nov 14 to Jan 2 on select nights, with a members-only preview on Nov 13. Wild Lights runs select nights from Nov 27 to Dec 30, 2026.
How much does Wild Lights cost?
$19 general admission and $16 for Zoo members, with children 0 to 23 months free. Parking in both Zoo lots is free as available. Tickets were on sale when we checked on Oct 27, 2026.
How much does Garden Glow cost?
The Garden says admission varies by date and lists prices on its calendar. Same-day tickets cost $2 more after 4:30 p.m., so advance tickets are cheaper. Children ages 3 to 12 pay $6 on family nights.
What nights is Garden Glow closed?
Nov 16 to 19 and Nov 26, plus Dec 24 and 25, according to the Garden.
Which night is the sensory-friendly night?
Garden Glow’s Sensory Night is Monday, Nov 30, 5 to 9:30 p.m. Wild Lights’ Sensory-Friendly Night is Dec 7.
Where do I park?
Garden Glow parking is free at two Garden lots at Shaw and Vandeventer, one block west of the Garden, with a nonstop shuttle. Wild Lights parking is free in the Zoo’s north and south lots, with free street parking in Forest Park if the lots fill.
Can I bring a dog?
Not to Garden Glow: no pets are allowed, though service animals are welcome. Check the Zoo’s page for its own policy.
What if the weather is bad?
Garden Glow is a rain or snow event; if the Garden cancels, you can use your tickets on another Glow date. The Zoo says it will post a cancellation by 3 p.m. on the day and refund tickets for cancelled nights.
Sources
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Garden Glow, checked 2026-10-20
- Saint Louis Zoo, Wild Lights, checked 2026-10-20
More big Missouri dates: St. Louis area events, St. Louis Winterfest, parade and New Year’s Eve, Silver Dollar City Christmas, Chiefs home games at Arrowhead, Soulard Mardi Gras 2027, Kansas City holiday lights and all Missouri events.
Coming Up Near St. Louis
- Boop! The MusicalOn now through Nov 8 · St. Louis
- Mizzou vs. SLU Men's Basketball (Enterprise Center)Nov 6 · St. Louis
- The String Cheese Incident: Just Keep Spinning TourNov 6 · Chesterfield · about 18 mi
- Three Days GraceNov 7 · St. Louis
Places Nearby
- Gateway Arch National ParkNPS unit · in St. Louis
- Old CourthouseNPS unit · in St. Louis
- Christ Church CathedralNational Historic Landmark · in St. Louis
- Tower Grove ParkNational Historic Landmark · in St. Louis
Straight-line distance from the centre of St. Louis, not driving miles. Events within 40 miles, places within 25. Dates come from our checked events list and may change; confirm with the organizer.
Cite this page: It's Missouri, “St. Louis holiday lights 2026: Garden Glow and Wild Lights”, itsmissouri.com/st-louis-holiday-lights-garden-glow-wild-lights/ (updated ). By the It's Missouri editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.