Holiday lights near Memphis for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 28 – Jan 15 · All times are local Central Time
We list 3 holiday light events around Memphis for Oct 28 – Jan 15: 3 displays running for weeks and 0 one-night events. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around Memphis. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 (Select nights Nov 13–Jan 3 (and weekends into February)) · 5–9:30pm (last entry 8:30pm)
- Cost
- $25 per person ($23 members); ages 2 and up need a ticket; under 2 free; parking included
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
More than 60 illuminated lantern displays, walk-through tunnels, snow at the front of the zoo and a new interactive Christmas maze. Tickets are sold online only for a set date; Dec 9 is a sensory night. It continues on select weekends through Feb 14.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park (World of Illumination)
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 (Select nights Nov 20–Jan 3) · Evenings, about 6–10pm (select nights)
- Cost
- From $39.99 per vehicle
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A drive-through holiday light show at Shelby Farms Park, set to music. Tickets are sold per vehicle; see the site for available nights and times.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday Wonders at the Garden
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Wed, Dec 30 (Nov 27–28; Dec 4–6, 10–23 and 26–30) · 5–8:30pm (last entry 7:30pm); Dec 18–23 until 9:30pm
- Cost
- Ticketed; tickets on sale Nov 6 (prices on site)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Glowing trails through the garden, including Polar Passage in The Woodland and a new section in the Herb Garden, with fire tables, interactive play spots and food trucks nightly. Opening night (Nov 27) has Santa; later themed nights include Santa Sundays.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around Memphis in 2026?
3 light displays on our list run for weeks: Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival (Memphis, Nov 13 – Jan 3), Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park (World of Illumination, Memphis, Nov 20 – Jan 3) and Holiday Wonders at the Garden (Memphis, Nov 27 – Dec 30).
How much do ticketed light displays near Memphis cost?
Prices from the official pages: Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival ($25 per person, $23 members), Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park (World of Illumination, From $39.99 per vehicle) and Holiday Wonders at the Garden (Ticketed). Prices can change by night.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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