Descanso Gardens will begin selling tickets July 1 for its two seasonal nighttime light walks, Carved and Enchanted Forest of Light, and will offer a new “Anytime Ticket” that carries no assigned date — a format the garden says it is introducing for the first time, according to a press release.
The change matters to families in nearby Pasadena and Altadena, a short drive from the La Cañada Flintridge garden. Descanso says buyers who purchase in July will pay up to $20 less than in August, and that the date-free ticket lets people lock in a price now and pick an evening later.
The pricing is tiered by month and membership. In July, members can buy an Anytime Ticket for $45 and non-members for $65, according to the garden. In August, those prices rise to $65 for members and $85 for non-members.
Timed tickets follow the same pattern. Descanso says members get $10 off all timed tickets. July member prices run $19 to $42 for adults and $9 to $27 for children, depending on date and time, and July non-member prices are $29 to $52 for adults and $19 to $37 for children. In August, member timed prices rise to $22 to $45 for adults and $12 to $30 for children, while non-member timed prices stay at $29 to $52 and $19 to $37. Children 2 and under are free but still need a ticket.
Descanso says the season marks the 10th year of Enchanted Forest of Light. “Ten years of Enchanted Forest of Light is something we could not be more proud of, and this season we’re celebrating with changes and surprises that will delight both longtime fans and first-time visitors,” CEO Juliann Rooke said in the statement.
Both events will change this season, the garden says. In Carved, the “Rhizome” installation moves to the Oak Grove, and the labyrinth will feature new sculptures by Helsinki-based artist Alexander Reichstein. Enchanted will debut a laser light show on the Main Lawn ending in what the garden calls a “snowfall” finale, Tom Fruin’s luminous Houses move to the Oak Grove, and Giant Koi will appear in the Garden of Good Fortune to mark the Japanese Gardens’ 60th anniversary. A Holiday Market with local craftspeople is planned for December 2 to 6 on the Main Lawn, open during the day and during Enchanted evening hours.
Before the holidays, Descanso points to summer programming: hundreds of sunflowers planted in July, goats brought in July 7 to 11 to clear brush, and misters to keep visitors cool. New “Twilight Tickets” will offer admission from 5 to 7 p.m. at a reduced price, and the Farmhouse at Descanso restaurant will launch a summer seasonal menu featuring fresh summer fruits and vegetables.
Founded as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with general admission of $18 for adults; $14 for seniors and students with a school ID; $8 for children 3 to 12; and free for children under 3. Tickets go on sale July 1 at descansogardens.org. Information is available at (818) 949-4200.
