New Mexico BioPark Society’s 29th Annual

Presented by 

November 28 – January 3

Low Sensory Night
Monday, November 30

5 – 10 p.m.
ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden

2601 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
(Last timeslot entry 8 p.m. Event closed December 24, 25, 31 and January 1)

Get into the holiday spirit at River of Lights!

Enjoy a stroll along our 1-mile path featuring over 800 one-of-a-kind hand-welded light displays, animated and 3D sculptures, and millions of twinkling lights at New Mexico’s largest and most beloved original walk-through holiday light show.

Event Map

We want to thank our 2026 River of Lights Sponsors

And a special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Blake’s LOTABURGER®.

Tickets

Opening Night
Flip of the Switch
Celebration

Be among the first to experience
the magic of River of Lights!

$50

Adult 13+

$40

Youth 3-12

$0 for Child 2 & under

4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Your ticket includes:

Live music, holiday beverage and treat

River of Lights collector pin and optics glasses

Santa Meet & Greet and Flip the Switch countdown

Guaranteed Botanic Garden parking

and more!

General
Admission

On
Specified Nights

$21

Adult 13+

$12

Youth 3-12

$0 for Child 2 & under

Timed Entry Ticket

No refunds
All-weather event

General Admission:
Flex

Enjoy entry with the ability to
exchange your ticket

$31

Adult 13+

$22

Youth 3-12

$0 Child 2 & under

Up to two exchange allowed

Not available for
Value Nights

Value
Nights

On
Specified Nights

$15

Adult 13+

$10

Youth 3-12

$0 for Child 2 & under

Timed Entry Ticket

No refunds
All-weather event

Value Nights:
Flex

Enjoy entry with the ability to
exchange your ticket

$25

Adult 13+

$20

Youth 3-12

$0 Child 2 & under

Up to two exchange allowed

Upgrades required for
General Admission nights

Additional Ticket Options

Extra Cheer Add-on

Nightly, Limited Supply

+$12

Per Ticket*

No time restrictions,
arrive anytime before 9:15 p.m.

Your ticket includes:

Express Lane entry

Second Annual River of Lights Collector Pin

One pair of River of Lights Holiday Optics Glasses

Enter to Win!

Exclusive
Route 66 Sculpture

start at $20

For the first time ever, you can enter
to win one of 10 handmade Route 66
sculptures built exclusively for this
year’s Route 66 Centennial!

Family & Small Business
VIP Sponsorship

Limited Supply

$500

Whether you’re celebrating your family, honoring a loved one, or showcasing your small business, this sponsorship is a meaningful way to support the BioPark while connecting with more than 130,000 guests.

Your sponsorship includes:

4 River of Lights tickets w/ Extra Cheer Admission

Online recognition on website

Visit details for more information

Group Tickets &
Aquarium Rentals

Make your River of Lights
experience a group celebration!

$ prices vary

Group ticket discounts are available for parties of 50+.

Aquarium rentals offer a unique space for private gatherings!

To learn more about these offerings,
click the button below.

Purchase Tickets on TicketSignup

Additional Ticket Info

Helpful Tips for a Successful Visit

  • Please stay on the paths. Plants grow by the inch and die by the foot, literally.
  • To avoid crowds, visit River of Lights early in December and on Value Nights.
  • Plan your visit early! As we approach December 25 and beyond, nights will sell out.
  • Prepare for uneven paths. River of Lights journeys through various parts of the Botanic Garden, which include unpaved paths. Plan accordingly.
  • Paths are ADA-accessible. Due to varying path surfaces and weather conditions, some assistance may be needed in certain areas.
  • Leave your pets warm and at home.
  • Take advantage of our FREE Park & Ride located at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. Scroll down for more info!
  • Avoid the traffic when heading to Park & Ride. Take I-40 to 12th St. or I-25 to Lead Ave., then travel to the ABQ BioPark Zoo at 10th and Stover.
  • Please don’t park in the neighborhood or pay for parking at other non-River of Lights businesses. The Botanic Garden parking lot and Park & Ride at the Zoo provide plenty of parking for all guests.
  • Most guests will arrive for the timeslot at the top of each hour; if you wait about 20 minutes, the lines will be much shorter.
  • For real-time event updates, Follow us on Facebook @riveroflightsabq and Instagram @riveroflights_abq.

Please Note: The River of Lights event includes flashing lights, strobe lights, and other special effects lighting, haze, fog, dark places, uneven terrains, and low overhangs. Please watch your step, stay alert, and do not act in harmful ways to yourself, others, the plants, and the exhibit.

Thank you for visiting New Mexico’s favorite and largest original walk-through holiday light show! Please respect our neighbors as you depart the event.

River of Lights Features

FREE Park & Ride


Beat the traffic and utilize the official River of Lights’ free Park & Ride at the ABQ BioPark Zoo.

Service runs nightly. Closed December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.

Pick Up: ABQ BioPark Zoo, 903 Tenth St. SW, Albuquerque NM, 87104
Drop Off: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden – River of Lights
Service runs from 5 – 10 p.m. (last time to return to Zoo)

Friendly reminder: When making your way to River of Lights, no matter where you park, please consider that vehicular traffic converges from four major thoroughfares around the ABQ BioPark and Old Town area.

In addition to River of Lights, other holiday events in the area are impacting traffic. Please give yourself ample time to navigate the traffic.

Oversized Vehicle Parking: Oversized vehicles, buses, and limos are not allowed to park on-site. Please email riveroflights@bioparksociety.org to make proper arrangements.

Free ART Service


Take advantage of ART and ride to River of Lights free of charge.

Bus Frequency

ART will arrive every 10-15 minutes.

Last bus will leave River of Lights/BioPark ART station around 10 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 7:20 p.m. on Sundays.

Stay safe, observe the HAWK signals, and keep clear of the ART lane.

766 Red Line

The 766 Red Line will provide service from the Central & Unser Transit Center to the Uptown Transit Center and all ART stations in between.

777 Green Line

The 777 Green Line will provide service from the Central & Unser Transit Center to Central & Tramway and all ART stations in between.

Event Extras

Education Activities

Holiday Crafts
December 2, 9, 16
6 – 8 p.m.

Join our Education team and volunteers on select evenings in the Heritage Farm Cider Barn education classroom for a fun-filled opportunity to make a selection of holiday nature crafts!


River of Lights Merchandise

Beanies and River of Lights Holiday Optics Glasses are available for purchase on our ticket website.

River of Lights Proposal

Surprise your forever person with a proposal at River of Lights, New Mexico’s largest holiday light show. You choose your special night, and we’ll flip the switch on our “Will you marry me?” light sculpture when the time is right, surprising your loved one! 

Our $250 proposal package includes:

  • 7’ tall “Will you marry me?” light sculpture placed in
    the Ceremonial Garden at River of Lights
  • Proposal choice of date (First come, first available)
  • Two tickets to River of Lights

Reservation requirements:

To purchase the $250 proposal package, we must receive 48-hour notice
so we can have the sculpture in place and the staff available to
flip the switch at the perfect moment.

If you would like to include an Add-on, we must receive 48-hour notice
so the Shark Reef Café staff can make accommodations.

To book your reservation, please fill out this Google form.

presents:

Low Sensory Night

sponsored by Inteli-Care Personal Home Care

Monday, November 30

Low Sensory Night is created for our families and guests who would like a more inclusive, sensory-friendly experience. This evening, guests can experience the spectacular light displays that we’re known for, but with modifications to make it a more sensory-supportive environment.

Here’s what to expect:

  1. Smaller crowds.
  2. Strobe effects, flashing, movement, and blinking will be reduced or eliminated if applicable.
  3. Music and other stimuli will be at a minimum.
  4. A quiet room will be available with tools to help prevent or manage sensory overload.
  5. Certified support staff will be available to assist.
  6. Limited concession areas

We recommend bringing any items that will help you enjoy River of Lights to the fullest, such as noise-canceling headphones, tinted glasses, or other self-soothing items.

presents:

Under the Sea with Santa

Dive into a magical holiday adventure with this exclusive experience, where you’ll meet Santa and enjoy the Aquarium after dark. Take in the wonders of the underwater world and make holiday memories together before heading off to experience the dazzling sights of River of Lights!

The experience:

  • Visit the Aquarium
  • Character experience: Meet Santa Claus and take photos
  • Commemorative keepsake from Santa
  • Admission to River of Lights

Flex Ticket: Enjoy the ability to exchange your ticket reservation within the same experience type, but on another evening.

Under the Sea
with Santa

Nov 30, Dec 1-2, 7-9
ABQ BioPark Aquarium

Hourly entry, 5-8 p.m.
On Specified Nights
Aquarium closes at 9 p.m.

$32

Ages 3+

$18

Child 2 and under

No member discount

No food or beverages inside the AquariumOtter Deck will be closed with no outside viewing or access.

Advance, date-specific tickets are required. Only valid for date purchased. All ticket purchases are final. No refunds.

Under the Sea
with Santa – Flex

Nov 30, Dec 1-2, 7-9
ABQ BioPark Aquarium

Hourly entry, 5-8 p.m.
On Specified Nights
Aquarium closes at 9 p.m.

$42

Ages 3+

$28

Child 2 and under

No member discount

No food or beverages inside the AquariumOtter Deck will be closed with no outside viewing or access.

Advance, date-specific tickets are required. Only valid for date purchased. All ticket purchases are final. No refunds.

presents:

Santa’s Magical Experience

Enjoy an enchanted VIP experience with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves of the North Pole for a “magical” evening of ho-ho-holiday merriment before being whisked away to the enchanting River of Lights!

The experience:

  • Reserved parking at Tingley Beach

  • Immersive Santa HQ experience and “magical” storytime

  • Fun food and snacks

  • Character experience: meet Santa Claus and take photos

  • Commemorative keepsake from Santa for children

  • Transportation from Tingley Beach to River of Lights, including return service

  • Personally escorted by the jolly man himself to River of Lights with front-of-the-line entry

  • Admission to River of Lights

Flex Ticket: Enjoy the ability to exchange your ticket reservation within the same experience type, but on another evening.

Santa’s Magical Experience
General Admission

December 5, 12, 16-23
ABQ BioPark Tingley Beach
Santa’s New Mexico Headquarters

4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.
On Specified Nights

$38

Ages 3+

$18

Child 2 and under

No member discount

Advance, date-specific tickets are required. Only valid for date purchased. All ticket purchases are final. No refunds.

Santa’s Magical Experience
General Admission – Flex

December 5, 12, 16-23
ABQ BioPark Tingley Beach
Santa’s New Mexico Headquarters

4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.
On Specified Nights

$48

Ages 3+

$28

Child 2 and under

No member discount

Advance, date-specific tickets are required. Only valid for date purchased. All ticket purchases are final. No refunds.

Santa’s Magical Experience

Value Nights

December 3-4, 6, 10-11, 14-15
ABQ BioPark Tingley Beach
Santa’s New Mexico Headquarters

4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.
On Specified Nights
*Unavailable Monday, Dec. 1

$32

Ages 3+

$18

Child 2 and under

No member discount

Advance, date-specific tickets are required. Only valid for date purchased. All ticket purchases are final. No refunds.

Santa’s Magical Experience

Value Nights – Flex

December 3-4, 6, 10-11, 14-15
ABQ BioPark Tingley Beach
Santa’s New Mexico Headquarters

4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.
On Specified Nights

$42

Ages 3+

$28

Child 2 and under

No member discount

Advance, date-specific tickets are required. Only valid for date purchased. All ticket purchases are final. No refunds.

presents:

Santa’s Beach Bash

The holidays are over, and Santa Claus is trading his sleigh for some well-deserved vacation vibes. Join Santa in vacation mode, complete with Hawaiian shirts and leis, for a magical VIP evening of laid-back fun with cheerful elves before being whisked away to the enchanting River of Lights. As you enter Santa’s lei’d-back New Mexico headquarters, his elves will greet you with warm smiles and post-holiday cheer while Santa wraps up his final vacation checklist for the night.

The experience:

  • Reserved parking at Tingley Beach

  • Immersive Santa HQ experience and “magical” storytime

  • Fun food and snacks

  • Character experience: meet Santa Claus and take photos

  • Commemorative keepsake from Santa for children

  • Transportation from Tingley Beach to River of Lights, including return service

  • Personally escorted by the jolly man himself to River of Lights with front-of-the-line entry

  • Admission to River of Lights

Flex Ticket: Enjoy the ability to exchange your ticket reservation within the same experience type, but on another evening.

Santa’s Beach Bash

Nightly, December 26 – 30
ABQ BioPark Tingley Beach
Santa’s New Mexico Headquarters

$32

Ages 3+

$18

Child 2 and under

No member discount

Advance, date-specific tickets are required. Only valid for date purchased. All ticket purchases are final. No refunds.

Santa’s Beach Bash Flex

Nightly, December 26 – 30
ABQ BioPark Tingley Beach
Santa’s New Mexico Headquarters

$42

Ages 3+

$28

Child 2 and under

No member discount

Advance, date-specific tickets are required. Only valid for date purchased. All ticket purchases are final. No refunds.

What is River of Lights?

Who We Are and What We Do.

Guests at River of Lights can walk through the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden and experience over 800 intricately designed and constructed sculptures, light displays, and millions of twinkle lights.

River of Lights was started in 1997 by the New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS), the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, and Tingley Beach. In its inaugural year, River of Lights attracted 32,000 visitors with 30 rented light displays. Now, the event has grown to be New Mexico’s largest holiday light show, with an attendance of over 130,000 and raising over $1 million annually.

River of Lights is the New Mexico BioPark Society’s top annual fundraising event and New Mexico’s favorite and largest original walk-through holiday light show.

Creating River of Lights.

Preparing for River of Lights is a year-round job, and the event shines brighter every year. The New Mexico BioPark Society employs three full-time craftsmen. Before each holiday season, new sculptures and displays are created, more twinkle light strands are added, and old favorites are re-lit to give them new life.

Every sculpture in our River of Lights collection is hand-welded and strategically lit by our dedicated artists. They start with a small toy or concept, conceptualize it and transform it into a flat or 3D masterpiece. The team will then create a color scheme and carefully attach rope lights around each curve and corner of the sculpture. Not all of our sculptures are static displays. Some appear to be running, jumping, flying, and roaring – some might even smell! You can almost say our sculptures are living pieces of art!

Did You Know?

  • River of Lights was a contestant on the ABC & Disney’s 2023 Season of The Great Christmas Light Fight.
  • We have over 800 light displays and animated sculptures ranging from a 1-foot flower to a 30-foot Brachiosaurus.
  • To create a 1-foot sculpture takes an average of six hours, whereas the Brachiosaurus took nearly 600 hours.
  • Setup starts in mid-September, and it takes a crew of 15 to place sculptures and twinkle light the Botanic Garden.
  • All of our sculptures are stored in two giant warehouses and four storage containers.
  • Many of our sculptures are created in pieces for easy installation and storage.
  • You can see our first-ever hand-made sculpture – the flat panel saguaro cactus.
  • You can search for our first-ever 3D sculpture – the yucca.
  • Our first T-Rex was modeled after a wind-up toy.
  • We use over 100,000 zip ties annually to attach rope lights to our sculptures.
  • There are over 200 miles of twinkle lights scattered through the Botanic Garden.
  • Over 12 miles of extension cords are running electricity to all our sculptures and twinkle lights.

Contact Us

Thank you for your questions and feedback in advance.

Box office hours are available Monday – Saturday. You can fill out the form, and an associate will return your message within 48 hours (excluding Sundays). Please include your name, contact number, and your order confirmation number.

Special Note: Please be cautious of individuals selling fake tickets to this year’s event. Our event requires timed tickets; we strongly discourage you from purchasing third-party tickets as we cannot confirm the legitimacy of your purchase.

For media inquiries or photo usage requests, email marketing@bioparksociety.org.



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