The Holiday Light show at Shore Acres State Park features thousands of lights and displays in the formal garden. The event runs 4:30-9 p.m, Nov. 23-Dec. 31. Last year, timed entry was required for the first time and the response from visitors was positive. We're continuing the system in 2023.
Note: Free parking for Green Friday, Nov. 24, at all state parks that charge a parking fee applies during the daytime at Shore Acres, but not during event hours. Timed entry and parking reservation required 4:30-9 p.m.
Don't find what you need from the information below? Call our Park Information line at 800 551-6949. One of our information operators will help you. The line is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Yes. Holiday Lights visitors need to reserve timed entry (date and time) and parking at Shore Acres. The system allows visitors to quickly enter the park, which reduces traffic backups and safety concerns on the Cape Arago Highway.
Timed-entry reservations and the $5 parking ticket is available online at bit.ly/2023holidaylights or by calling ReserveAmerica reservations at 800 452-5687. The 7-day rolling window begins Nov. 16.
Yes, when you have one of the items listed below. You do need to reserve your timed entry and parking; however, the $5 fee will be waived when the person making the reservation has one of the following and selects the option during the reservation process. You will need to present the item along with your reservation ticket when you enter the park.
Shore Acres State Park is one of 26 state parks that requires a fee to park.
Please arrive at the park on the date and as near as possible to the time shown on your reservation parking ticket. Any line should move quickly when everyone presents the information listed in the next FAQ.
The reservation ticket (printed,downloaded pdf, or screen shot shown on your phone), as well as the selected pass, permit, or campground receipt/confirmation if applicable, must be presented to park staff at entry to keep traffic moving. Your ticket, either printed or displayed on your phone, should clearly show date/time, ticket ID, and visitor name.
NOTE: The park doesn't have internet connectivity, so visitors can’t open their ReserveAmerica account and show their screens.
No. We have the normal number of disabled parking sites in the parking area and are creating additional spots close to the garden entrance for vehicles with a disabled parking pass. We can’t guarantee a disabled parking spot, however. We also will have volunteers directing traffic. If someone riding in a car needs to be dropped off near the garden entrance, the volunteer can direct the driver to pull up to the entrance and the passenger can exit the vehicle. The driver will then proceed to a parking spot.
Note: The parking area is large and some of the disabled parking sites are near other features in the park, such as the observation building. These sites may or may not be suitable for some with mobility issues attending the light show.
You can visit the lights for as long as you need. On average, visitors typically stay for about an hour. Please be considerate to visitors who have reserved parking later on the date you're there.
No. Tickets can be changed or cancelled online or by calling 800-452-5687 until the date of the tour as long as they haven't been printed or previewed. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations.
We encourage people to wait until the last minute before viewing or printing their tickets. As long as the tickets haven’t been viewed or printed, date and entry time can be changed for free.
Yes, but … parking is extremely limited outside the main Shore Acres parking lot. Parking on the highway leading to the park is prohibited. If you decide to park, you may return to a parking violation ticket from local law enforcement.
The event has historically been overwhelmingly popular, as well. Parking several miles away may not be available.
We don’t advise walking along the highway or on trails and risking injury.