# Christmas lights in Albuquerque for little kids, 2026

> Two Christmas light displays in and around Albuquerque have 2026 dates: both walk-throughs. One is free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 5:15 p.m. at Twinkle Light Parade. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.

- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- 2 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
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## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **River of Lights** at ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, Albuquerque, NM. When: Nov 28–Dec 30, 2026. Time: 5–10pm. Price: See ticket prices on the BioPark site; children 2 and under need a $0 reservation. Closed Dec 24 and 25. Tickets are timed; buy online ahead. Official page: https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/event/river-of-lights/65263/
- **Twinkle Light Parade** at Nob Hill, Central Ave. (Route 66), Nob Hill, Albuquerque, NM. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 5:15pm. Price: Free. A mile-long lit parade along Central. Central Ave. closes to traffic from 3pm; arrive early or use the free Park & Ride. Official page: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/things-to-do/annual-events/twinkle-light-parade

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Are there free Christmas lights in Albuquerque?
Yes. Twinkle Light Parade is free in 2026.

### What’s the cheapest Christmas light show in Albuquerque?
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: River of Lights (See ticket prices on the BioPark site; children 2 and under need a $0 reservation). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.

### Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (two here) are better for kids who want to run around.

### What time do the Christmas lights start in Albuquerque? We have an early bedtime.
The earliest evening starts: Twinkle Light Parade at 5:15 p.m. and River of Lights at 10 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.

### Which light shows are best for kids under 3?
Little ones get in free at River of Lights (children 2 and under need a $0 reservation). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.

### How do you check these Christmas lights listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).