River of Lights

Come out and enjoy the magic of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays at New Mexico’s largest walk-through light show! Each year's show unveils a number of ingenious new sculptures and stunning displays designed and constructed by Albuquerque BioPark artists and craftsmen.

 

Tickets

River of Lights tickets are $7 for adults 13 and older; $3 for children 3 to 12 (babies 2 and younger free). Gates open at 6:00pm and close at 9:00pm. There are no ticket discounts for senior citizens or NM BioPark Society members.

Purchase your tickets in advance:

Online - Purchase tickets now.

• Purchasers of online tickets must be able to print tickets from home. This requires Internet access and a printer.

• If you are not able to print tickets from home, we strongly suggest that you NOT buy tickets online but plan to purchase them in advance from a BioPark cashier. Assistance in printing tickets is available only during regular hours of operation, 9:00am to 5:00pm, at Aquarium/Garden and Zoo business offices. Business offices are not open during River of Lights. There is no 'will-call' for River of Lights tickets.

In person at the BioPark.

 

Group discounts (50+ or 100+) are available through the New Mexico BioPark Society . Group tickets may be purchased by calling 505-764-6212. On-line group rates not available.

 

Purchase your tickets at the door:

• On-site ticket sales start at 5:30pm.

Q cards may be used to purchase tickets from BioPark cashiers in advance or at the door. They are not valid for online or group sales.

 

Parking

• Parking is always free in the Botanic Garden parking lots.
  

• On busy nights only, additional parking is available at Tingley Beach. The train will shuttle visitors free of charge between the north parking area at Tingley and the Botanic Garden train station. Please check the Tingley Shuttle Schedule for dates and times the train is operating. Please note that for this event only, the train will be boarded via stairs and is not wheelchair-accessible.

 

Entertainment

The lights aren't the only thing to see at the Botanic Garden during the River of Lights celebration! The 2009 festivities will feature

• Spectacular new sculptures
• A unique glass snowman collection on the plaza
• Live music from November 28 through December 23.
• Supper with Santa Dec. 14 - 23 at the Shark Reef Cafe (5:00pm to 9:00pm)
• Holiday Dining Dec. 26-30 at the Shark Reef Cafe (5:00pm to 9:00pm)
• Holiday Nature Crafts in the Education building on consecutive Wednesdays (Dec. 2, 9 and 16).
• Model trains, including a special holiday train, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, Wednesdays through Sundays during River of Lights, weather and volunteer staff permitting.

2009 Entertainment Schedule

 

History

River of Lights began in 1997 as a fund raising project sponsored by the New Mexico BioPark Society. Proceeds from River of Lights help support for many ABQ BioPark projects and programs.

Sponsors

Thank you to the 2009 River of Lights sponsors:

 

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