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Preparethe placeget us ready

Getting ready for Garden of Lights.

A holiday light walk at The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins on select nights, Dec 11 to 27. You stroll a half-mile loop of glowing displays, with Santa, an Ice Queen and live music along the way.

Know before you go. The Gardens doesn't list a sensory-friendly night. Here's what it does say about the walk, the music and the tickets.

The Gardens on Spring Creek: Garden of Lights

Address
2145 Centre Ave, Fort Collins 80526 Directions
Hours
Select nights Dec 11 to 27. Timed entry 5 to 8 pm; grounds close at 9 pm. Closed Dec 24 and 25.
Call
970-416-2486 The Gardens on Spring Creek
Email
gardens@fortcollins.gov The Gardens on Spring Creek

What it's like

In their own words

Waits
“This is a timed admission event with entries from 5 p.m. through 8 p.m. nightly. Grounds close at 9 p.m. Purchase tickets early to ensure your preferred date and time!” gardens.fortcollins.gov
Space
You “stroll along a whimsical half-mile loop, glowing with colorful grapevines, towering flowerbeds, dancing blossoms, and vibrant displays.” gardens.fortcollins.gov
Sound
“Live Musical Acts | Every Night | 5:30- 8 p.m. in the Children's Garden.” gardens.fortcollins.gov
Access
“Our main interior loop (0.55 mile) is paved and wheelchair accessible, and all other pathways are graded for strollers and mobility devices.” A wheelchair is free to borrow, first come, first served. gardens.fortcollins.gov
Rules
“Only trained service animals are permitted inside The Gardens.” “Children must be supervised at all times.” gardens.fortcollins.gov

Who's there each night, in the Gardens' words

In their own words gardens.fortcollins.gov

“Santa | Nightly through Christmas | 5-8 p.m. at Everitt Pavilion. Ice Queen | Every Night | 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Northwest Grove / Ice Forest.”

Our note Santa visits run through Dec 23, since Garden of Lights is closed Dec 24 and 25.

Our note The music is in one place, the Children's Garden, so you can choose whether to go near it.

Three things to know

  1. Adults (18+) start at $12 and children 3 to 17 at $8; 2 and under are free. Price depends on your entry time. Members get 20% off.
  2. $1 SNAP/EBT tickets are available by phone or at The Gardens.
  3. Hot cocoa and drinks from a full bar are sold on site.

What it doesn't list

  • a sensory-friendly night or quieter entry time
  • a quiet room or warming space
  • sensory kits or headphones to borrow
  • a social story

To ask about any of these, call 970-416-2486.

More: parking, transit, contact

The Gardens names this music spot itself

Louder

Children's Garden, 5:30 to 8 pm (live music every night)not stated

Quieter

Quiet roomnot stated
  • Free parking is in the lot off Centre Avenue and Botanical Lane, with overflow parking for special events.
  • The Gardens is next to a bus stop and the MAX line.
  • Phone 970-416-2486, gardens@fortcollins.gov.

What the Gardens doesn't say

  • not stated which entry times are least busy
  • not stated how loud the music is
  • not stated whether there is a warm place indoors to rest
  • not stated whether strollers are allowed during Garden of Lights

Source: gardens.fortcollins.govChecked Sun, Oct 25, 2026

Visual schedule

Garden of Lights

  • Drive to the gardens
  • Park the car
  • Put on my jacket
  • Get our tickets
  • Look at the lights
  • Drink hot cocoa
  • Take a break
  • Walk to the car
  • All done
Make it yours →

More ways to get ready for the light walk

A social storyA short, calm story about an evening walk through a garden full of lights.Make it yours →A first / then cardOne clear card: first the jacket, then the lights.Make it yours →A choice boardLet your kid pick what helps.Make it yours →

What to expect

Buy a timed-entry ticket for your night; entries run 5 to 8 pm, and the grounds close at 9. You walk a half-mile loop outdoors through lit-up gardens. Live music plays every night in the Children's Garden, Santa visits through Dec 23 at Everitt Pavilion, and the Ice Queen appears in the Ice Forest. Hot cocoa is sold on site. Closed Dec 24 and 25. Change anything.

Common questions

What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?

That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.

Can I make this in Spanish?

Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.

Do I need an account?

No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.