Three Christmas light displays in and around Memphis have 2026 dates: 1 drive-thru and 2 walk-throughs. None are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 8:30 p.m. at Holiday Wonders at the Garden. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Shelby Farms Park · 6903 Great View Dr. N., Memphis, TN 38134
Little-kid take: Stays in the car: the easiest pick with a baby or a toddler who may fall asleep. PJs on, car seat buckled, no stroller needed.
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problem
Memphis Zoo · 2000 Prentiss Pl., Memphis, TN 38112
Sensory: Dec 9 is a sensory night.
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problem
Memphis Botanic Garden · 750 Cherry Rd., Memphis, TN
Checked Oct 18 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo opens first, on Nov 13. Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure runs into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 4:50 p.m. in Memphis (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
8:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour
5–8:30pm (to 9:30pm Dec 18–23)
Pick: Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure
Picks: Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo, Holiday Wonders at the Garden
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure | See the ticket page | See the venue | Drive-thru |
| Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo | $25 per person; members $23 | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Holiday Wonders at the Garden | Advance $17 ($15 members); under 2 free | under 2 free | Walk-through |
See all 5 Santa outings in and around Memphis: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in Memphis →
None of the light shows with 2026 dates that we found are free. The lowest prices are listed in “2026 prices at a glance”.
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Holiday Wonders at the Garden (Advance $17 ($15 members); under 2 free); Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo ($25 per person; members $23). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.
With a baby or a sleepy toddler, a drive-thru is easiest: they stay buckled in and warm. One of the 3 displays can be driven: Starry Nights: Arctic Adventure. Walk-throughs (two here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Holiday Wonders at the Garden at 8:30 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Little ones get in free at Holiday Wonders at the Garden (under 2 free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.
Lantern Festival at Memphis Zoo: Dec 9 is a sensory night.
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.
Keep planning: This week in Memphis · Memphis city guide · Visiting Memphis
One short email every Friday morning with what works for ages 0–6 in Memphis that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.