The United Way of Abilene, in partnership with Christmas Décor by Lone Star Electric, is bringing the Winter Lightfest back to Abilene and the Big Country for a fifth year. The Winter Lightfest will open the weekend after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24-26) and run the next five weekends through the end of the year.
The Winter Lightfest features a paved ¾-mile walking path through nearly three million lights with numerous photo opportunities, Santa Claus, a scavenger hunt, hot chocolate, s’mores, and more.
Proceeds go to the 25 partner agencies that are supported by United Way of Abilene.
The park will be open 16 weekend nights starting the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) through selected dates in December. The park will be open Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 15-17, Dec. 22-23, and Dec. 29-30. Parking at Winter Lightfest is free, and parking lots open at 5:30 p.m.
The last entry to the parking lot is granted at 8:30 p.m. If you are providing transportation to or from the parking lot, you must arrive in the parking lot before 8:30 p.m. The walking trail is open from 6-9 p.m., and the walking trail and park will close at 9 p.m.
Thanks to the generosity of local donors and businesses, every elementary student in the Abilene ISD will be given a ticket to the Winter Lightfest, which will be good for any night. Each student will receive a letter that has a QR code specific to their school that they can use for entry into the park. Elementary students must be accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Discounted tickets can be purchased online here for $12 (adults) and $7 (youth). Entrance to the park for children aged 2 and under is free. Tickets at the gate are $15 for adults and $10 for youth. All ticket prices and packages can be found online here.
