November 27-January 4
ENLIGHTEN
at Meijer Gardens
Select Nights November 27-January 4
This winter, ENLIGHTEN at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park offers a captivating blend of art, light, and nature. Running from November 27, 2024, to January 4, 2025, this immersive experience features a stunning 1-mile pathway illuminated by innovative light displays, enchanting music, interactive experiences, and world-renowned sculpture.Â
Conceptual Imagery
Discover the magic of ENLIGHTEN.
Our Gardens have never been so illuminating!
Select Nights November 27-January 4
ENLIGHTEN is an entrancing winter spectacle where art, light and nature meld in spectacular harmony. This immersive experience features cutting-edge light installations choreographed to captivating music, enhanced by interactive elements that allow guests to engage with the displays.
The breathtaking 1-mile route, crafted by the visionary teams at Lightswitch and Upstaging, is designed to rival the world’s most iconic holiday displays through a truly magical outdoor experience.
On their journey, guests will encounter masterpieces by legendary artists such as Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin and Ai Weiwei. Iconic works like The American Horse by Nina Akamu, alongside sculptures by Mark di Suvero and Roxy Paine, are showcased in dynamic lightscapes. This dramatic interplay of light and sculpture redefines the boundaries of artistic expression and holiday celebration.
ENLIGHTEN takes place on select dates between November 27, 2024, and January 4, 2025.
Tickets & Admission
Date & Time Information
Programming Dates
November 27, 29
December 1, 6-8, 11-15, 18-23, 26-30
January 2-4
Holidays
Meijer Gardens and ENLIGHTEN will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day.Â
Additional Details
Tickets are required. Designated entry times are available every 30 minutes, from 5:30–9:30 pm. The average experience is 1½ to 2 hours, although there is no time limit. Gates close at 10 pm and Meijer Gardens grounds close at 11.Â
Meijer Gardens will close at 4:30 pm and reopen for ENLIGHTEN guests at 5:30 pm. The ENLIGHTEN beer garden and entry experience will open at 5 pm.Â
After your ENLIGHTEN experience, the main Welcome Center is open until 11 pm.  Feel free to enjoy the University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition, located throughout the building interior.
PLEASE NOTE: The James & Shirley Balk Café will be open with a full menu until 9 pm and Fresh Express food and drinks until 11 pm. The DeVos–Keeler Gift Shop will be open for retail purchases until 11 pm.Â
Ticketing Information
For the best guest experience, tickets are timed in 30-minute increments. One ticket is required per person. Tickets are free for ages 2 and under. Meijer Gardens members always receive the lowest ticket price. Become a member today! Â
Value Nights
December 1, 8, 11, 15, 18
Enjoy the biggest bang for your buck during our discounted Value Nights! Guests can enjoy everything included in the ENLIGHTEN experience, on traditionally slower evenings. Value Nights pricing is $24 for adults and $12 for children.  Members save even more!Â
Map
TIps for your visit
- Purchase your tickets ahead of time to guarantee your date and time desired. Walk up tickets may be available but are not guaranteed as many nights will be sold out.
- It is recommended you arrive 15 – 30 minutes prior to your time slot to avoid rushing and allowing you an opportunity to enjoy our pre-entry beer garden experience. You can enter any time after your time slot begins. Entry closes at 10:00 for the 9:30 time slot.
- To expedite entry, have your tickets ready to show at the experience entry point. Parking is free. There are multiple parking lots on site.
- Parking is free. There are multiple parking lots on site.
- Enter the experience from the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater. You will see an illuminated entrance, welcoming you to snap a photo with the life-size ENLIGHTEN sign. An outdoor beer garden with snacks, drinks and warm fires offers the perfect spot to meet up with your guests before you enter the experience.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The paved outdoor walking trail is 1 mile long.
- This outdoor event will be held in rain, snow or cold weather! Please dress for the weather.
Food & Drinks
A unique menu of warm food and drinks features Smoked Turkey Legs and hand-helds, Cinnamon-Roasted Almonds, Hot Cocoa, Coffee, Spiked Beverages, and Beer at the Eileen DeVries Concessions Center at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphiteater and at the James & Shirley Balk Café inside our main building.Â
Accessibility
Accessibility Information
The 1-mile paved ENLIGHTEN trail is ADA-compliant for people with limited mobility. The exhibition is not visible or accessible by car.
Meijer Gardens has a small number of wheelchairs available on loan, free of charge . Because supply is limited, we recommend bringing a wheelchair if needed. Personal mobility scooters may also be used on the ENLIGHTEN pathway.
Meijer Gardens staff make best efforts to clear the path of ice and snow.
Sensory Needs
Please be aware that ENLIGHTEN features moving and flashing lights along the experience path. There are no strobe lights in the exhibition. Laser features are directed away from guests.
Parking
Parking is available near the entrance for those with a disability placard on their vehicle. Please notify the parking attendant as you drive in. Otherwise, parking is first come, first served, and directed by parking attendants.
If you do not have a disability placard and someone in your party has mobility concerns, you are welcome to drop people off at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater entrance before you park. Please notify the parking attendants and they will direct you accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets & Reservations
Yes! Meijer Gardens members will always receive the lowest ticket prices for ENLIGHTEN. Become a member today.
ENLIGHTEN ticket prices vary based on day of the week and date selected. The experience is the same regardless of what night you choose. Look for our dates labeled Value Nights for the lowest ticket pricing available during our event. Adult Member tickets start at $20, and Child Member tickets start at $10.
One ticket is required per person. Tickets are free for ages 2 and under. As always, members of Meijer Gardens save! Click here to learn more about our membership options.
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Value Nights
December 1, 8, 11, 15, 18
Enjoy the biggest bang for your buck during our discounted Value Nights! Guests can enjoy everything included in the ENLIGHTEN experience, on traditionally slower evenings.
Value Nights
December 1, 8, 11, 15, 18
Enjoy the biggest bang for your buck during our discounted Value Nights! Guests can enjoy everything included in the ENLIGHTEN experience, on traditionally slower evenings.
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Group rates are available. For parties of 10 or more, please email: [email protected]
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Meijer Gardens members always receive the lowest ticket prices. Become a member today! There are no additional discounts. Museums for All, Check It Out and other organizational memberships are not eligible for ENLIGHTENÂ tickets.
We recommend purchasing tickets as soon as possible in advance to ensure your ENLIGHTEN experience. We anticipate several evenings around the holidays selling out quickly.
Yes. All daily general admission tickets and ENLIGHTEN tickets are purchased separately.
Guests can arrive up to 30 minutes before their ticketed time. Allow time to park, check in and enjoy the entrance experience. After you are admitted, you may stay as long as you would like or until 11 pm, when ENLIGHTEN closes.
We encourage guests to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled. We will accommodate late arrivals up to 10 pm. There is no late entry after this, as 9:30 is our last entry time.
Click the green "remove item" button to remove the additional date. Please remove the previous date from your cart before adding additional dates or times to prevent this.Â
Weather/Cancellations
ENLIGHTEN ticket purchases are nonrefundable and not transferable to other dates.
Because ENLIGHTEN is an outdoor event in winter, on rare occasions Meijer Gardens may cancel an evening or temporarily close the event until inclement weather passes. Many factors are considered, including predictions from the National Weather Service and other weather services, before making a decision that affects our guests. If ENLIGHTEN is canceled or temporarily closed for part of an evening, ticket holders will be notified by email and notice will be posted to MeijerGardens.org. We will honor tickets on alternate nights, schedule permitting.
ENLIGHTEN Path Experience
The pathway is 1 mile long.Â
Most people can enjoy the entire experience—including the exit experience—at a leisurely pace in 1 to 1½ hours.
Yes. Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed.Â
Yes. Pathways are wheelchair accessible.
Guest Services
Yes! Concessions are open in the beer garden until 10 pm. The James & Shirley Balk Café and DeVos–Keeler Gift Shop retail store are open until 11 pm. The café will serve off its full menu until 9 pm. Fresh Express, desserts, alcohol and nonalcoholic drinks will be served up to 11 pm.
Restrooms are located near the Box Office, at the lower Frederik Meijer Amphitheater Garden and inside the main building.
There will be an outdoor store in the Beer Garden for glow souvenirs and warm essentials. The DeVos–Keeler Gift Shop will be open until 11 pm in the exit experience located at the Welcome Center.
Yes! Photography is encouraged. For professional and commercial photography, please refer to our photo policy. Tag your images at #ENLIGHTEN on social media for a chance to win a free membership.
This is an outdoor Come prepared for the elements by wearing comfortable footwear and dressing for the weather. Dress to Glow for added fun.
Yes. You can experience University of Michigan Health–West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions on ENLIGHTEN nights with event admission! The ENLIGHTEN experience ends inside the main building.
No pets are allowed at Meijer Gardens. Only service dogs, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are allowed.
