Enchanted Garden of Lights
Nightly from November 15 –January 4
Closed December 24
Warm your heart during Chattanooga’s most enchanted holiday celebration. Experience Rock City Gardens as a nighttime winter wonderland. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season amidst the unparalleled natural beauty of this enchanted place. This uniquely festive light experience has become a beloved holiday tradition and is not to be missed during this anniversary event.
Journey down the all new Christmas tree walk to visit Santa at Carter Cliffs, the original home of Rock City’s founders, decorate your own GingerGnome cookie, and experience the enchantment of a winter celebration like no other – all after dark. Don’t miss creating holiday memories with your family and friends as we celebrate 30 years of magic, moments and memories during Rock City Gardens Enchanted Garden of Lights!
All guests must reserve an entry time in advance online. Tickets cannot be purchased upon arrival at the ticket desk. Annual Passholders and Legacy Gem Members do NOT need reservations and can attend Enchanted Garden of Lights even on sold out nights!
Santa departs for the North Pole and will not be at Carter Cliffs after December 23rd.
Ticket Pricing for Event
Adults: $31
Children (ages 3-12): $21
Adults: $35
Children (ages 3-12): $25
For just $35 extra, take advantage of our online-only special: the Santa’s Tree Package! This festive offer includes three 6×8 prints with Santa, plus a bonus FREE 4×6 and two wallet-sized prints of your second pose in Santa’s workshop. Don’t miss out on this wonderful holiday keepsake!
Santa departs for the North Pole after December 23.
Experience the nostalgia and grandeur of the first Enchanted Garden of Lights as you discover the original Rock City peace doves, the nativity scene, and Toyland.
Grand Corridor Trail
Experience the nostalgia and grandeur of the first Enchanted Garden of Lights as you discover the original Rock City peace doves, the nativity scene, and Toyland.
Swing-A-Long Bridge Trail
Adventure through a wintry wonderland and across the famous swing a long bridge*, open during the Enchanted Garden of Lights for the first time, and take in the breathtaking nighttime view at Lovers Leap.
*Stone Bridge will also be open as an alternate route
Hall of the Mountain King Trail
Wander through a magical mixture of gardens, rocks, and fantasy as you weave through the Hall of the Mountain King and discover what Rock City’s gnomes have always been up to.
Fairyland Caverns Trail
Explore the wonder of stories while you venture through a throwback to Rock City’s history of artistic innovation with Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village.
Carter Cliffs Trail
Travel down Christmas Tree Lane and step back in time to a 1930s holiday at Carter Cliffs, the original Rock City home, where Santa and his workshop await.
*Santa visits nightly through December 23. After December 23, guests will have access to the new Carter Cliffs trail, Christmas tree walk and Santa’s workshop. The home will be closed after December 23.
Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast is conveniently located across the street from Rock City. The bed-and-breakfast is a prime location for the hundreds of thousands of annual out-of-town visitors to Rock City Gardens.
During Enchanted Garden of Lights, guests can book directly with Chanticleer and add on the “Enchanted Evening” package which includes 2 tickets to EGL, access to a hot cocoa bar and an anniversary Enchanted Garden of Lights ornament.
Hours & Pricing Information
November 15, 2024 – January 4, 2025 | Hours of Operation: 4:00pm – 10:30pm (11:30pm Peak Nights)
- TICKETS SOLD ONLINE ONLY. Tickets will not be sold in-person. Purchase timed-entry tickets early for best availability.
- Pricing for the Enchanted Garden of Lights is based on the date of your visit. After clicking Buy Tickets, choose your visit date from the calendar to see the available ticket options.
- Annual Passholders and Legacy Gem Members: Passholders and Gem Members do NOT need reservations and are welcome to visit on any night included with their benefits by showing their pass to the greeter, including SOLD OUT nights.
- Silver Annual Passholders: Silver Annual Passholders can attend Enchanted Garden of Lights November 15th – November 27th.
- Gold and Family Annual Passholders: Gold and Family Annual Passholders can attend Enchanted Garden of Lights any night during the length of the event.
- Legacy Gem Members: Those who still hold valid Gem Memberships can attend Enchanted Garden of Lights any night during the length of the event.
- The Enchanted Garden of Lights trail is not fully stroller and handicap accessible. Backpack or Front-style child carriers are recommended and stroller parking is available. A limited access / ADA trail is available to reach certain portions of the trail.
- Guests cannot enter the park for Enchanted Garden of Lights before their entry time. This includes access to inside food options and Santa. Restrooms available on ticket plaza. Cornerstone Gifts and Starbucks are located across the street and have food and drink. Please feel free to enjoy these at the Mockingbird Lane picnic area across the street or carry them into Enchanted Garden of Lights.
- We recommend guests not arrive too early ahead of their entry time to avoid parking and line congestion.
Rock City is proud to support the Ronald McDonald House during the Enchanted Garden of Lights event. Rock City has given over $300,000 to Ronald McDonald House so far from proceeds from this annual holiday event.
Get More Enchantment with Our Annual Passes
New in 2024, unlock a year of adventure and natural beauty with Rock City’s Annual Passes, which provide unlimited access to explore breathtaking rock formations, lush gardens, and changing seasons. Adult, Children and Family pricing options available.
Silver Pass
$5 Off Additional Tickets
10% off Food, Retail, and Clumpies
Select nights of Enchanted Garden of Lights
Gold Pass
$10 Off Additional Tickets
15% off Food, Retail, and Clumpies purchases
15% Chanticleer Inn stays
Visit Enchanted Garden of Lights ANY Night
Family Pass
$10 Off Additional Tickets
15% off Food, Retail, and Clumpies purchases
15% Chanticleer Inn stays
Visit Enchanted Garden of Lights ANY Night