Friday 7 November 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026
Gardens open from 9am till 4:30pm – Last entry at 3:30pm.
Christmas Lights Spectacular open from 5:30pm till 10:30pm – Last entry at 9:30pm.
Rides from 6pm to 10pm – Ride ticket sales close at 9:30pm. Last ride 9:45pm.
Please note Gardens close at 4:30pm and Christmas Lights opens at 5:30pm, all visitors must exit the gardens by 4:30pm, including Day/Night ticket holders.
Celebrate the festive season with a family night to remember. Wander through dazzling themed light displays made up of over 4 and a half million of twinkling lights, enjoy amazing amusement rides*, roving entertainment, hearty food, beverages and so much more! Make memories that will shine bright for years to come.
Just 2 hours from Sydney and a short drive from Newcastle, Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country is the perfect festive family experience. Wander through glowing tunnels, marvel at giant Christmas trees, snap fun photos at immersive displays, and soak up the joy as you create memories that will shine bright all season long.
This year’s Christmas Lights Spectacular is shining brighter than ever with exciting new additions for the whole family to enjoy! Wander through the brand-new Italian Grotto Garden area: HO HO Harvest, this will be the first time ever that this Garden is open during Christmas Lights Spectacular!
Discover festive new areas like Merry Meadow, Santaville, Shimmering Falls, Holiday Hollow
and many more.
Be dazzled by enchanting new displays including Garden Elves, a glowing Poinsettia, twinkling Mistletoe, a festive Boxing Day Test scene, a vibrant Giant Christmas tree display and many other magical surprises waiting to be explored. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season and make new memories under millions of lights.
Enjoy a delicious range of food and beverage options from our tasty food stalls. Plenty of treats to keep the whole family fuelled, options include burgers, woodfire pizza, sushi, hot dogs, gelato, donuts, snow cones and so much more! Food stalls open from 5:30pm to 10pm.
This year, we’re excited to introduce The Evergreen Tavern – Christmas Lights Spectacular Bar, a brand-new addition to the event! Set inside the Hunter Valley Gardens marquee, The Evergreen Tavern will be serving up refreshing cold drinks in a relaxed, festive setting. Open from 5:30pm to 10pm, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the Christmas cheer, enjoy a drink with friends or family, and take in the magical atmosphere before or after exploring the lights.
Relax and take in the view of the Gardens and surrounding countryside from 25 metres high on our spectacular Ferris Wheel. Suitable for all ages.
Thrill-seekers will love our flying Swing Chair. Feel the wind in your hair and get your adrenaline pumping as you fly 11 metres above the ground.
Grab one of our mats and enjoy the excitement of speeding down this thrilling ride. Standing 12 metres high and a massive 35 metres long, our Superslide is a whole lot of fun.
Planning a visit to Christmas Lights Spectacular? Make it even more magical by staying just minutes away at Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens or Harrigan’s Hunter Valley. Both are perfect for families, offering comfort, convenience and easy access to the dazzling displays. With exclusive Christmas Lights Spectacular Accommodation Packages, it’s never been easier to turn a sparkling night out into a relaxing mini holiday.
Stay close to the magic, enjoy delicious meals and cosy rooms, and make the most of your festive adventure in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country.
Prohibited items include drones, ride-on toys, push bikes, scooters, e-bikes, e-scooters, roller skates, eskies, skateboards and items deemed to be unsafe by management.
No pets are allowed into the Gardens. Registered guide dogs and companion dogs are allowed into the Gardens with their owners. Documentation for these animals is required upon entry.
We do not have wheelchairs available to hire, you are welcome to bring your own.
No, picnics, food or drinks are to be brought onsite, except for bottled water. Food and beverages are available to purchase within the venue.
Sealed bottled water can be brought onsite.
Tickets are only valid for the booked session and cannot be redeemed on other days or sessions. If you wish to change your booking submit a request at www.huntervalleygardens.com.au/bookings/
Tickets may be exchanged for another day, depending on availability. Changes to tickets must be requested 24 hours prior to the booked date by visiting huntervalleygardens.com.au/bookings
The team will get back to you as soon as possible during business hours Monday to Friday.
Yes, if time permits you can walk around the displays more than once.
If you lose your ticket, new tickets can be issued by visiting huntervalleygardens.com.au/bookings and requesting an update to your order.
Rides operate from 6pm - 10pm (ticket booth closes at 9:30pm)
Last ride 9:45pm.
Discounted group rates are available for groups of 12 or more adults visiting Christmas Lights Spectacular. These rates are ONLY available via our Group Sales Team and must be purchased in advance. No group discounts are available at entry. For any function enquiries please contact our Group Sales Team.
Admission charges apply. Hunter Valley Gardens recommends guests purchase tickets on our website prior to arrival.
Tickets (except Group tickets) are available through our website or at entry.
Fraudulent tickets will not be honoured. Christmas Lights Spectacular activities are open during event hours only. Program subject to change. Terms and conditions of entry apply. *Rides are user pay; height and age restrictions apply. Some activities may not open in adverse weather conditions and unscheduled maintenance.
Entry to the Gardens closes one hour before the completion of the session. Access to the entire Garden is available during the day only, some areas are closed during Christmas Lights Spectacular. Event closed on 25 December only. Tickets not valid for the date of arrival may be refused entry.
Guests wishing to visit both in the day and evening sessions can receive special rates by contacting our bookings team.
At Hunter Valley Gardens the health and safety of our customers and staff is our top priority. We wish to reassure everyone that we follow strict health and safety regulations and are adopting the recommendations of the NSW Government.
As the situation keeps evolving we will update our terms and conditions in line with the advice provided by the NSW Government.
Thank you for your patience at this time.
For the latest news and details on our re-opening, please register here.
Hunter Valley Gardens will be operating as per the NSW Government guidelines, for information about all the guidelines visit the Service NSW website click here.
Chef’s selection of canapes
Entrée
Pumpkin and speck tortelloni served with pine nut, red grape, crisp sage, and beurre noisette
Main
Confit duck Maryland served with celeriac remoulade, broccolini, and orange reduction
Dessert
Passionfruit tart served with popcorn praline and whipped vanilla ricotta
10:30 am Koi feeding – Oriental pagoda
12:00 pm Rose talk – Rose Garden Pavilion
1:45 pm Mosaic/Moongate – start at Garsy, centre of Mosaic Garden.
10:30 am Rose pavilion
2 pm Rose pavilion