Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights has delighted guests for over two decades as this holiday season tradition returns nightly beginning Nov. 18. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31, the gardens’ daytime splendor transforms into a winter wonderland for its 22 year with more than 30 holiday scenes and hundreds of thousands of LED lights. New this year, guests can create their own holiday adventure as they enter through the historic round house gates onto the North Pole Highway and choose which themed path to venture on first. The four "realms of wonder" include Arctic Kingdom, Magic Forest, Yule Town and North Pole Village!
In the Arctic Kingdom, Blizzard's Pass leads to icy gardens with lighted penguins fishing and animatronic polar bears. The Magic Forest includes Dancing Trees and the beloved Fairyland Caverns. Yule Town is the traditional route through the Enchanted Trail, displaying a classic vintage theme featuring the Legends of Christmas, which showcases symbolic meanings behind classic holiday icons. And North Pole Village features Santa and Mrs. Claus where comfort and joy await! Kids can enjoy decorating Christmas stockings and gingerbread cookies while warming up with some hot cocoa.
Along the trails, meet other characters too including Santa's elves, Frosty the Snowman, Jack Frost and Inara the ice queen. Kids can also collect a stamp in their adventure passport that offers activities and coupons! Get a Sugar Plum Fairy Makeover, decorate a Christmas ornament and eat some reindeer corn! Nightly entertainers are also performing in the North Pole Lodge, as well as select nights at Starbucks.
The popular Dinner with Santa event sells out quickly and has limited remaining availability for Dec. 13. This festive buffet dinner offers VIP admission to the Lights, with extras for children that include a gift, gingerbread cookie decorating voucher and a visit with St. Nick! Reservations and other info are available online at www.seerockcity.com/lights.
College nights at the Lights also return, with college groups performing opening weekend. Opening night, Friday, Nov. 18 is Lee University night, Nov. 19 is UTC night and Nov. 20 is Chattanooga State. All students and faculty with current school I.D. receive $6 tickets on their respective college night. This discount also applies to Covenant College for all Monday – Thursday evenings.
‘Tis the season for giving with a portion of each ticket sold to the Lights benefitting local families at Ronald McDonald House Charities. Go to rmhchattanooga.com for more info on how to help.
Discounted tickets to the Lights are offered to the public Mondays through Thursdays. The Enchanted Garden of Lights is closed Christmas Eve night and reopens on Christmas Day at 6 p.m.