Bright Nights at Forest Park will kick off its 30th season on Wednesday, November 27, with a special guest flipping the switch on all 675,000 lights. In addition to the magical lighting display illuminating the three-mile drive, Santa’s Magical Forest will be welcoming visitors to enjoy, snacks, souvenirs, and whirl on the carousel. Santa will be greeting visitors at the entrance on opening night as well.
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 through Sunday, January 15, 2025
Closed Monday, December 2 and Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Climb aboard the Bright Nights Wagon or Carriage. The tour begins at the Bright Nights Gift Stop, located just passed Seuss Land, and takes passengers through the Garden of Peace, Jurassic World and back through Seuss Land. Dress warm!
After the ride, passengers return to their vehicles to enjoy the many other magnificent holiday lighting displays in Bright Nights.
The wagon and carriage departs approximately every half hour starting at 5:30PM. The last departs at 8:30PM.
Reservations Required
Bright Nights Welcomes Santa
For Bright Nights at Forest Park’s 30th season, Santa will be back full time. From opening night on November 27th to Christmas Eve, the big man in the red suit will be listing to holiday wish lists, posing for photos, his camera or yours, and spreading holiday cheer.
All the excitement will take place in Santa’s Magical Forest. It is located just passed Seuss Land. There will be a big sign with Santa directing passerby’s in to see Santa, for snacks, souvenirs, and a ride on the grand carousel.
Visits and Photos with Santa
CLOSED DECEMBER 10
November 22 – December 24
5:15pm to 9:15pm
Pet Photo Nights
Fridays, December 1 & 15
5:15pm to 9:15pm
Toys for Tots Toy Drive
Tuesday, December 5
5:15pm to 9:15pm
Free Face Painting
Mondays, December 4, 11 & 18 – 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Snow Queen & Frost Princess Meet & Greet
Tuesdays, December 5 & 12 – 5:30pm to 8pm
Frost Princess Meet & Greet
Friday, December 8 – 5:30pm to 8pm
Musical Performances
Friday, November 24 – Westfield High School Choir
Wednesday, November 29 – Libertas Academy Charter School Drumline
Friday, December 1 – West Springfield High School Chorus – CANCELLED
Tuesday, December 5 – Minnechaug Regional High School
Friday, December 8 – First Lutheran Christian School Middle School Choir
Thursday, December 14 – Longmeadow High School Chorus
Friday, December 15 – Northamptones from Northampton High School
Bright Nights Best of the Best
Since 1995, Bright Nights has been a unique public/private collaboration between the City of Springfield’s Department of Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management and the Spirit of Springfield, a private non-profit organization. Together they have welcomed more than 6 million visitors. It has been calculated that if every bus that had visited were lined bumper to bumper, they would go from Springfield to Cape Cod. The cars would go as far as California.
Admission is just $23 per car. Discounted admission is available on opening night. The price rolls back to 1995 when guests paid just $6 per car. There are two $10 Tuesdays, December 10th and 17th when a car full of holiday revelers is just $10. (Coupons not accepted on discounted admission tickets.)
Be sure to add snowflake wands to your online ticket order. Available only online! You will receive them when your ticket is scanned at the entrance to Bright Nights at Forest Park.
