Luminations returns to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on November 20, turning its gardens into what the center calls a glowing winter wonderland on select nights through December 31. It is not every night, entry closes at 7:45 p.m., and tickets are sold only in advance online. By day, Zilker Botanical Garden is a 28-acre garden in the middle of Zilker Park, open every day. Here is which nights Luminations runs, what both cost, and a table near each.
We run Botanical Garden Near Me, a directory of public gardens and arboretums across the United States, and we are a guest here. Top of Austin asked for the gardens. They supplied the restaurants.
The plan, in order
Spend the day at Zilker Botanical Garden, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in fall and winter with final entry 30 minutes before closing; paying visitors can ask for a parking pass. Then drive southwest to the Wildflower Center for a Luminations entry between 5:45 and 7:45 p.m. Check your night first. This season Luminations runs November 20 to 22 and 27 to 29; December 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 23 and 26 to 31. December 3 is UT Night. Zilker is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Luminations
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is at 4801 La Crosse Avenue, 284 acres of gardens and trails. Luminations runs on the nights above from November 20 to December 31, 2026, with entry from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. and the exhibit ending at 9; it is closed December 24 and 25. Adults are $30 and youth 3 to 12 $20, members $23 and $13, and children 2 and under are free. Tickets must be bought in advance, are good for one entry with no re-entry, and the event runs rain or shine. Groups of 20 or more get $7 off each ticket. Free parking with a shuttle runs from St. Augustine University; guaranteed parking at the center is $25 a car. The center’s café is closed for remodeling. By day the gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; adult admission is $15 Monday to Thursday and $18 Friday to Sunday.
Zilker Botanical Garden
Zilker Botanical Garden, at 2220 Barton Springs Road, is a 28-acre garden inside Zilker Metropolitan Park, open seven days a week year-round, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in fall and winter. Adults pay $6 if they live in Austin and $8 if not; seniors 62 and up $5 or $7, youth 3 to 17 $3 or $4, and children 2 and under and members get in free. Paying visitors can request a parking pass and do not pay to park; the overflow lot on Stratford Drive has pay stations on weekends, holidays and event days.
The full list
Hours, prices and directions for each of these, with the official page for each, are on our side. The botanical gardens near Austin page on Botanical Garden Near Me lists them, closest first.
