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A holiday tradition: River of Lights returns for 26th time and debuts dozens of new sculptures
The week before Thanksgiving is crunch time for Danielle Flores Mills and the team at the New Mexico BioPark Society.
Months of planning come to fruition beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, when River of Lights kicks off for the 26th time.
“The event has become a family tradition,” says Flores Mills, New Mexico BioPark Society marketing and communications manager. “It’s something that we’re so proud of and our team works hard for so many months.”
Each holiday season, the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden is set aglow with thousands of lights. The event draws thousands of visitors over the four-week run. The event is the New Mexico BioPark Society’s largest fundraiser and proceeds help support the ABQ BioPark.
The event runs 5-10 p.m. daily from Saturday, Nov. 25, through Dec. 30. The event is closed on Dec. 24-25.
According to Flores Mills, there will be timed tickets available online at riveroflights.org, again this year. All tickets must be purchased online and in advance.
This means that reservations are purchased in hour increments and guests must arrive during their reservation time.
Visitors will be able to see over 800 handmade structures filled with lights.
Ranging from dinosaurs to a Pegasus and a unicorn, and everything in between, there’s surely something for everyone, she says.
A holiday tradition: River of Lights returns for 26th time and debuts dozens of new sculptures
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“One big piece that we’re excited about is that we rebranded with a new logo,” Flores Mills says. “The logo is created out of some of the favorite sculptures at River of Lights. You will see the T-Rex, pumpkin, the penguin and the pirate ship, among other fan favorites.”
Flores Mills says each hour, River of Lights will let in 1,600 guests.
“There’s enough space between all of our services that visitors to River of Lights shouldn’t be parking in neighborhoods,” she says. “We usually have more than 100,000 visitors each year and by being streamlined, we hope to make it easier for visitors to River of Lights.”
Flores-Mills says River of Lights will have plenty of holiday-themed events, which includes one where children can attend Santa’s Magical Experience.
