Last updated: September 18, 2026.
Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens
More than two million lights strung through the tropical gardens of Selby's Downtown Sarasota campus — Sarasota's signature holiday tradition and one of the best-reviewed botanical garden light shows in the country.
Event details change — verify dates, times, and ticket prices on the official Lights in Bloom page before you go.
2026 dates & hours
- December 5, 2026 – January 2, 2027, at the Downtown Sarasota campus.
- Early Entry: 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. — arrive in daylight, watch the gardens light up at sunset.
- General Entry: 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
- It's an open-air, self-guided walk — dress for the evening weather.
Tickets
Advance purchase is strongly encouraged — popular nights sell out. Selby Gardens members must log in to their membership account to unlock member pricing.
- Buy early, especially for weekends and the week between Christmas and New Year's.
- For reference, the 2025 edition ran about $28 for adults and $12 for ages 5–17 (4 & under free, members free) — 2026 pricing may differ, so check selby.org for current prices.
- Food and drinks are available for purchase on-site, including a cash bar.
Money-saving tips
- Go on a weeknight. Friday and Saturday nights cost the same but draw the biggest crowds — Tuesday or Wednesday feels like a private showing.
- Early entry earns its keep. You get sunset over the bay plus the lights, and first crack at on-site parking.
- Eat before you go. Downtown Sarasota restaurants are a short drive away — and a Savor Sarasota-style prix-fixe mindset applies year-round: check our coupons & deals hub for current restaurant discounts.
- Pair it with the holiday parade. Sarasota's holiday parade and the Pineapple Drop block party on New Year's Eve are nearby December traditions — see our events page for the season lineup.
- Kids 4 & under are free, which makes this one of the cheaper big-ticket holiday outings for young families.
🎄 Dates, hours, and prices are set by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and can change. Always confirm on the official Lights in Bloom page before making plans.