With the twinkling lights of trees, you can feel the joyful spirit of Christmas. The festival can be the best way to release stress from your hectic everyday routine.
Festival Dates
The celebration of the festival of lights can vary each year. It was celebrated from November 27 to December 30 last, 2021. You should wait for the schedule this year to make your holidays more joyful.
Where It’s Located and How to Get There
The River of Lights is located at ABQ Biopark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW. If you use public transportation, you can use buses 766, 66, 790, and 777, which have routes that pass ABQ Biopark Botanic Garden.
Festival Hours
You can enjoy the twinkle lights from 5 pm to 10 pm. Joining the festival allows you to enjoy its awesome features, including Santa’s Workshop and free park & ride. The festival hours are a perfect time to unwind with a creative light show.
How Much It Cost To Visit The Festival
The ticket price for visiting the Christmas light show is $14 for adults and $7 for kids from 3 to 12 years old from Monday to Thursday.
The ticket price on Friday to Sunday for adults is $17 and $9 for children from 3 to 12 years old. There’s no need for a ticket for 2 years old and below.
You can also have other costs for your food, accommodation, and other activities while visiting the lights festival.
Weather and What to Wear
ABQ Biopark River of Lights is held from November to December, a winter season in the ABQ Biopark Botanic Garden. The daytime is about 7 degrees Celsius, while the temperature at night is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you visit the fairy lights at ABQ Biopark, you should wear gloves, a hat, a jacket, and closed shoes. With this, you can keep warm during the cold weather.
Where to Sleep
If you visit the River of Lights at ABQ Biopark, you will need a safe place to sleep. Here are some of our top options where you can stay.
Sandia Peak Inn
The Sandia Peak Inn is near Botanical Gardens, Old Town, Aquarium, and other tourist spots. The hotel can provide you with clean rooms with comfortable beds.
They have good service and offer a personal touch to give you a satisfying stay. They also have complimentary breakfast and amenities like a pool, free parking, WiFi, and more. Each room features a flat-screen TV, microwave, air conditioning, telephone, and more. They also have an accommodating and approachable staff for your needs.
The Querque Hotel
The Querque Hotel can offer an excellent stay with its helpful amenities, including a pool, free parking, free WiFi, air conditioning, and a gym. It is only a 10-minute drive to the University of New Mexico and Balloon Fiesta Park. You can make the best of your stay with its fitness center and indoor pool.
San Mateo Inn
San Mateo Inn can provide you with comfortable beds so that you can sleep well during your stay. You can also enjoy mountain biking and hiking trails nearby. It also has a seasonal outdoor pool where you can relax. The hotel can meet your expectations for a beautiful stay.
What to Eat
While visiting the light exhibition, you may get hungry. You can visit the following restaurants to satisfy your food cravings.
Bosque Burgers
Bosque Burgers can serve your meals for dinner and lunch. If you love burgers, it is the best eating destination for you. Their friendly staff will serve you quality comfort food. The ambiance of the restaurant is very relaxing.
Central Grill and Coffee House
The Central Grill and Coffee House are among the most popular eating spots in the area. Some of their famous dishes include Kids Breakfast Burrito, Going Bananas French Toast, and more.
You can also try their fresh baked deserts, New Mexican Southwest dishes, gourmet burgers, pancakes, and specialty sandwiches.
Los Compadres
Los Compadres serves Southwestern and Mexican dishes. Some of their daily specials are Tamale Plate, Beef & Papa Taco Plate, Adovada Plate, and more. They offer dinner, lunch, and breakfast meals. Aside from their delicious foods, they have a friendly staff, making it a perfect place to eat.
Sandia Crust Pizza Company
If you’re a pizza lover, this pizza house is for you. They have quality and fresh ingredients and crispy crust. Their staff can give you quality customer service for a satisfying dining experience.
More Things to Do in the Area
You can also enjoy other things while visiting blinking Christmas lights in ABQ Biopark.
Biopark Aquarium
You can view the sea creatures at the Biopark Aquarium. It features sea turtles, eels, colorful fish, and more. If you travel with your kids, it can be an ideal place to walk and breathe fresh air.
ABQ Biopark Zoo
The zoo features over 900 animals like lions, monkeys, elephants, kangaroos, and koalas. Walking around the zoo is the best idea if you want to see exotic creatures.
Tingley Beach
Walking at Tingley Beach can make you feel relaxed. The beautiful nature will give you peace of mind. The beach features walking trails, a model boat pond, and three fishing ponds. It is also a good place for paddleboat rides and waterside picnics.
Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden is another gem of the place. It features a pond with beautiful views of a waterfowl, a majestic waterfall, and colorful fish swimming. The garden allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature.
