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Garden Glow Christmas Lights

McCrory Gardens

Welcome to McCrory Gardens!

Stroll through an outdoor wonderland of lights, images and scenes | McCrory Gardens South Dakota State University

Garden Glow Hours 

December 7, 2024 – January 6, 2025

Open nightly from 5-9 p.m.
(CLOSED Dec. 24, 25, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025)
Last Admission nightly at 8:30 p.m.

Regular McCrory Hours and Gift Shop Hours:

Monday – Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ticket Pricing:

Tickets must be purchased in advance

General Admission (Ages 6 and older) — $10 + fees

Children 5 and under — Free

*Friends of McCrory Gardens Members — Free
*A discount code will be mailed to you

**SDSU Students with Current ID — Free
 

Tickets must be purchased online in advance to avoid wait times and traffic control!

Santa in front of a Christmas tree

Santa At McCrory Gardens!

Mingle with Kringle

Santa is back at McCrory Gardens this month, and he sure is looking forward to seeing everyone again. Santa visits are free, but make sure to register! Our Santa area will be a festive, indoor setting inside the Education and Visitor Center.

Dates and Times:

  • Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1-4 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 1-4 p.m.
  • Monday, December 16, 2024 from 5-8 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 22, 2024 from 5-8 p.m.
  • Monday, December 23, 2024 from 5-8 p.m.

Please reserve a ticket for each person in the group, from newborn to adult in age.

Santa Registration

Two horses pulling a trolley

Trolley Rides at McCrory

Dec. 8 and Dec. 15

Enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the Arboretum! Mike Olson and the Belgian horse team of Barney and Jamie will be giving trolley rides from 1-4 p.m.

Trolley prices: 

  • Adults (18+) - $10
  • Members - $10
  • Youth (6-17) - $5
  • 5 and Under - Free
  • SDSU Students - $5

Tickets can only be purchased on-site the day of event. 

*No member discount is available for this event.

*In case of inclement weather this event will be canceled.

Igloo tent with Christmas lights

Igloo Rental During Garden Glow I $50

Time Slots: 5:30-7 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m.

Included in your 90 minute rental: A heated space to gather, seating for up to 6 guests, hot chocolate and popcorn.

Fun for dates with your loved one, ladies nights or birthday gift! Experience the magic of the Holiday Season!

The Igloo rental is a Garden Glow add-on. All patrons in igloo must be Garden Glow ticket holders. Igloo can be added into cart towards end of ticketing purchase.

Collage of Garden Glow photos

Your tax-deductible membership gift supports McCrory Gardens' outreach, research and educational programs.  Learn more about our work and the gardens:
McCrory Gardens Membership 
 

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Your membership gift supports McCrory Gardens' outreach, research and educational programs.

McCrory Gardens Events

See All Our Events
Dec 6

Grand Lighting of Garden Glow

Dec 8

Santa Visits McCrory Gardens