Winter Walk of Lights is a half-mile, self-guided lighted trail through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia, run by NOVA Parks. The 2026 season runs November 11, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with nightly hours of 5:30 to 10:00 pm from November 11 to December 3 and 5:00 to 10:00 pm from December 4 through January 3 (admission ends at 9:30 pm). This marks the event’s 15th season, and 2026 brings a new chilled Amaretto Snow Globe drink and a limited-edition 2026 holiday ornament for sale.
The paved, wheelchair- and stroller-accessible loop takes most visitors about 45 minutes to an hour to walk, making it a good fit for families with young kids, couples wanting a low-key date night, and anyone who prefers a quieter stroll over a large drive-through display. Tickets are sold online for specific dates and are required in advance for the higher-priced December window, so plan ahead rather than showing up and hoping to buy at the gate.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
- City: Vienna
- State: Virginia
- Dates: November 11, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Hours: 5:30 to 10:00 pm (Nov 11 to Dec 3); 5:00 to 10:00 pm (Dec 4 to Jan 3); admission ends 9:30 pm
- Tickets: $19 online / $24 at door (Nov 11 to Dec 3 and Jan 1 to 3); $23 online only, no door sales (Dec 4 to 31), plus tax and fees
- Timed entry: not stated as timed, but admission cuts off at 9:30 pm nightly
- New for 2026: Amaretto Snow Globe chilled drink and a limited-edition 2026 holiday ornament
What’s new for 2026
NOVA Parks is marking the 15th season of Winter Walk of Lights with a new chilled Amaretto Snow Globe drink added to the beverage lineup, plus a limited-edition 2026 holiday ornament available for purchase on site. The core experience, the lighted garden trail, carries over from past seasons as the main draw, so returning visitors should expect the same route with a few fresh seasonal touches rather than an overhaul.
The lights and displays
The walk covers a half-mile paved path through Meadowlark’s gardens, lined with illuminated trees and light displays built around nature, winter and holiday themes. NOVA Parks describes it as an elegant garden trail rather than a high-energy drive-through show, so the pace is slower and more scenic, following the gardens’ ponds, gazebos and bridges after dark. The venue has not published a specific light count for 2026, so expect the same general scale as in prior years rather than a stated number.
Tickets, prices and member nights
Online tickets for 2026 run $19 per person (plus tax and transaction fees) for the November 11 to December 3 window and the January 1 to 3 closing stretch, with at-the-door tickets available for $24 during those same windows. For the peak December 4 to 31 period, online tickets cost $23 and must be purchased in advance, since no tickets are sold at the door during that stretch. NOVA Parks’ current ticket page for the 2026 season does not list a discounted member price, so plan on the standard rates above unless the gardens announce a member night closer to the season. Tickets are sold through NOVA Parks’ online ticketing system for Meadowlark.
Food, drinks and extras
A hot beverage station is part of the walk, offering drinks with or without alcohol for adults, alongside the new Amaretto Snow Globe chilled drink for 2026. Visitors can also roast marshmallows for s’mores along the trail. A limited-edition 2026 holiday ornament is available for purchase as a take-home keepsake. NOVA Parks’ event pages do not list separate paid add-ons like rides or shows beyond the walk itself and these refreshment stations.
Tips for your visit
Arrive close to opening for a quieter walk and better views before crowds build, especially on weekends in December. Since the trail runs outdoors through early January, dress in warm layers and wear comfortable shoes, as the paved path can still feel cold underfoot on freezing nights. The half-mile loop is wheelchair and stroller accessible, which makes it workable for grandparents or families with a stroller in tow. Because December tickets are online-only with no walk-up sales, buy ahead rather than planning to purchase at the gate, and check NOVA Parks’ event calendar for any weather-related closures before heading out.
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Winter Walk of Lights 2026 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens FAQs
When is Winter Walk of Lights 2026?
Winter Walk of Lights runs November 11, 2026 through January 3, 2027 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia, open nightly from 5:30 to 10:00 pm through December 3 and 5:00 to 10:00 pm from December 4 onward, with admission ending at 9:30 pm.
How much are Winter Walk of Lights tickets in 2026?
Online tickets cost $19 per person for November 11 to December 3 and January 1 to 3, with at-the-door tickets at $24 during those windows. For the December 4 to 31 peak period, online tickets cost $23 and are sold online only, with no door sales. All prices exclude tax and transaction fees.
Do you need to buy Winter Walk of Lights tickets in advance?
Yes, buying online in advance is recommended and required for the December 4 to 31 window, which is online-only with no tickets sold at the door. Earlier and later dates in the season offer pricier at-the-door tickets as a backup.
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Photo: Cohee / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.