Holiday Light Show

Countdown to 2026 Ticket Sales!

Holiday light show opens November 27th!

29th Annual Holiday Light Show

This year marks the 29th Annual Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens, Rock County’s most beloved winter tradition and one of the Midwest’s top holiday destinations.

From November 28, 2025, through January 3, 2026, guests of all ages are invited to wander wide-eyed through 20 acres of gardens transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland, illuminated by over 2 million lights and filled with festive displays, hot cocoa, carolers, and holiday cheer.

The 29-night event is an immersive experience that brings joy, wonder, and community together under the lights welcoming visitors, supported by volunteers, and raising essential funds for the Gardens’ year-round mission.

Special Dates in 2025

Nov 24 – Volunteer Appreciation Night (invitation-only, non-ticketed)
Nov 25 – Members-Only Premier Night (exclusive to RBG members)
Nov 28–30
Dec 5–7, 11–23, 26–30
Jan 2–3

What’s New in 2025

For the first time ever, guests will be invited to linger and celebrate in our indoor Christmas Market from December 13-23, featuring:

Artisan vendors with one-of-a-kind holiday gifts
A limited-edition 2025 holiday ornament
Holiday food & drink

Admission:

Adults (13+): $15 online | $18 at the gate
Children (ages 3–12): $5
Children (ages 2 & under): Free

Hours:

Runs on select nights.
Hours: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM (lights out at 9:00 PM)
Gardens are closed during the day throughout the Holiday Light Show season.

New This Year:

Holiday Market Dec 13-23
2025 Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday Ornament
Gift Bundle 2 tickets and an ornament, click here to purchase

Make your Holiday Light show visit even more fun with a free ride on Janesville's Downtown Trolley. It's a quick, easy way to explore local shops, restaurants, and attractions while you're in town! Learn more HERE

All proceeds from the Holiday Light Show support Rotary Botanical Gardens’ mission to enrich lives through beauty, education, and the arts of horticulture.

Purchase Tickets

Garden After Hours reduced pricing!

This holiday season, Rotary Botanical Gardens is giving the community an early Christmas gift: admission to Gardens After Hours is now just $5 from now until October 8th! Join us on Thursday evenings from 4:00–8:00 PM for live music, food and drinks, wine from Timber Hill Winery, and a rotating lineup of entertainment!

Celebrate the Holiday Light Show's 30th Year with a Holiday Raffle!

Celebrating 30 Years of the Holiday Light Show

For 30 years, you have shown up for us.

You have walked our paths in the cold, breath visible in the winter air, and stood in wonder at the light. You have brought your children, and then brought your grandchildren. You have made the Holiday Light Show part of your December, part of your family's story, part of what the season means here in Janesville.

This summer, we want to give something back.

The Holiday Garden Giveaway Raffle is our way of celebrating you, our community, and 30 remarkable years together. At the heart of the grand prize package is a handcrafted garden obelisk created by our talented RBG volunteer carpenters. Surrounding it is a collection of carefully selected prizes designed to bring beauty, function, and inspiration to your own outdoor space.

Think lawn and garden power equipment, outdoor entertaining essentials, raised beds and planters, garden art and accents, gift cards, a free RBG membership, and all the small joys that make a garden feel like yours.

One winner takes it all.

Every $25 ticket goes directly toward keeping Rotary Botanical Gardens alive and thriving for the next 30 years. The Light Show you love, the gardens you visit, the programs that bring this community together: they depend on moments like this one, and on people like you.

This is your invitation to be part of something that matters.

Tickets are $25 each. The drawing will be held on September 24, 2026.

Thank you for keeping the lights on for 30 years. Here is to 30 more.

Click Here to buy tickets

Thank you for a magical 2025 season!

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens. From first-time visitors to longtime traditions, your support helps make this event a highlight of our year. We’ll be back for the 2026 holiday season, and we can’t wait to welcome you again.

What is the Holiday Light Show?

Each winter, the Gardens transform into a glowing nighttime experience featuring thousands of lights woven through themed garden spaces, festive displays, and seasonal music. The show is designed for all ages and offers a peaceful, walk-through experience that celebrates the beauty of the Gardens after dark, while supporting our nonprofit mission.

If you missed it this year or are planning ahead, check back in fall 2026 for dates and ticket information.