Forest of Lights at VINS 2026: Dates, Tickets and Tips
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November 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027: 26 nights of magic
If you’re looking for a reason to embrace the long winter nights, this is it.
Every year, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) transforms its forested campus in Quechee into a glowing world of color, sound, and imagination. This is an event that makes you embrace your inner child, and this year, your inner child gets a trip to the Arctic.
Forest of Lights 2026 at a Glance
- Dates 26 select nights, November 20, 2026 to January 2, 2027
- Hours Entry at 4:30 or 5:30 pm, closes at 7 pm (8 pm on select nights)
- Tickets $15 adults, $9 youth 4 to 17, free 3 and under ($20 and $12 Thanksgiving weekend)
- Time to spend About an hour on the trails, plus 15 minutes at the campfire
- Dog-friendly? No. Pets aren’t allowed past the admissions area, so leave them home
- Good to know On sale now and sells out most nights. It’s all outdoors and runs in all weather
Last checked by Tara: November 2026
Tara’s take
What stuck with me from my 2024 visit was how quiet it was. The whole forest felt ethereal, and even the kids hushed as they walked the trails, as if they were in awe of it all. Yes, we went without kids, and it was still magical.
This Year’s Theme: Arctic Animals
For its fifth season, Forest of Lights heads north.
The 2026 themed section, Arctic Animals: Survivors of the Cold, fills the trails with glowing narwhals, snowy owls, muskoxen, a polar bear, and other creatures built for the planet’s coldest places. Fitting, since a Vermont December is decent practice.
VINS staff design and hand-build the displays, using recycled materials where they can, and they team up with longtime partner New England Holiday Light Company on the signature pieces.
Step inside the Snowflake Dome, wander past the Glowing Spider Web, and climb the Twinkling Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the illuminated Forest Canopy Walk.
Families, couples, and groups of friends wander the illuminated paths at their own pace, pausing to take photos or just admire the lighted winter forest. Plan on about an hour to see everything, more if you’re a meanderer.
When you’ve finished exploring, warm up by the campfire. We lingered for about 15 minutes, which is right around how long it takes for your fingers to remember they’re fingers on a cold night.
Hot chocolate, cider, doughnuts, and maple pops are for sale at the VINS Nature Store. Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, so save that thermos of cocoa for the drive home.
Event Details
Forest of Lights runs on 26 select evenings between November 20, 2026, and January 2, 2027. Most nights have two entry times, 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm, and the event closes at 7 pm. On the busiest nights, VINS adds a 6:30 pm entry and stays open until 8 pm.
| Month | Open nights | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 20, 21, 27, 28, 29 | Thanksgiving weekend (Nov 27 to 29) tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for youth. Open until 8 pm on Nov 27 and 28 |
| December 2026 | 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17 to 23, 26 to 31 | Open until 8 pm on Dec 22, 23, and 26 |
| January 2027 | 1, 2 | January 2 is the final night |
Tickets are $15 for adults, $9 for youth ages 4 to 17, and free for children 3 and under. Thanksgiving weekend (November 27 to 29) costs a bit more: $20 for adults and $12 for youth.
Buy them online at Forest of Lights, and bring your printed ticket or your phone.
Ticket sales are final. Forest of Lights runs in all weather, including extreme cold, and VINS cancels only when conditions are unsafe, such as high winds. If that happens, ticket holders get a text and email by noon on the day of the event, with the choice to donate the ticket cost or transfer to another available date.
Before You Go
If I could give you one piece of advice, it’s to dress for the weather so you can linger.
The event is mostly accessible, but a small section of the Forest Canopy Walk (the Tree House and the Eagle’s Nest platform) isn’t wheelchair-friendly. Some displays flash and strobe, which is worth knowing if anyone in your group is sensitive to light.
Arrive close to your entry time. If you have little ones, VINS recommends the 4:30 pm slot.
Leave your pup at home for this one. VINS doesn’t allow pets past the admissions area, and a dark, freezing parking lot is no place for a dog to wait (sorry, Malinda!).
Plan Your Visit
If you’re visiting from out of town, turn your evening at Forest of Lights into a full Upper Valley getaway.
Spend the daylight hours at Quechee Gorge, where the trails in Quechee State Park are open to leashed dogs, so your pup gets an outing before the lights. When your toes need thawing, the shops at Quechee Gorge Village are connected by interior doors, so you can browse the antique mall and general store without stepping back outside.
After the forest walk, we had dinner at Simon Pearce Restaurant in Quechee Village. It was very busy, but the food was divine, so be sure to make a reservation. Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 9 pm. If you want to watch the glassblowers at work, stop in for lunch instead (daily, 11 am to 2:30 pm).
For something more casual, the Public House on Route 4 is a pub a few minutes from VINS. [Confirm winter days and hours]
Perfect date night idea: a night at the Old Quechee Library, the 5:30 pm forest walk, and dinner afterward at Simon Pearce. Just know going in that Forest of Lights is a family event with lots of kids, so think twinkle lights and hot cocoa, not candlelight and quiet whispers.
Where to Stay Near VINS
Tara’s pick
The Old Quechee Library
A dog-friendly vacation rental in Quechee Village. It’s got a fireplace and a clawfoot tub.
- Walk to Simon Pearce and the Quechee Covered Bridge
- Easy drive to VINS
- Dogs: Yes
Tara’s pick
The Shire Woodstock
My favorite base in Woodstock, right on the river and a short drive to Quechee.
- About 15 minutes to Quechee
- Dogs: Yes, up to about 40 lb ($50 per pet per night plus a $150 cleaning fee)
Splurge
Woodstock Inn and Resort
The classic Woodstock Village resort for a full holiday weekend, with the lights as your night out.
- Walk to downtown Woodstock shops and restaurants
- Dogs: In limited rooms, up to 2 dogs (100 lb combined), $150 per night
Bundle up, wear good boots, and bring your sense of wonder. Forest of Lights at VINS is a radiant reminder of the magic that winter in Vermont can bring.
Also Read: Woodstock, Vermont in Winter: A Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Forest of Lights FAQ
When is Forest of Lights at VINS in 2026?
Forest of Lights runs on 26 select evenings from November 20, 2026, to January 2, 2027, at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee. Most nights, entry is at 4:30 or 5:30 pm, and the event closes at 7 pm.
How much are Forest of Lights tickets?
Tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for youth ages 4 to 17, and children 3 and under are free. Over Thanksgiving weekend (November 27 to 29), tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for youth.
Can you buy tickets at the door?
Tickets are sold online at vinsweb.org, and the event has sold out nearly every night for the past two years, so buy ahead.
How long does Forest of Lights take?
Plan on about an hour to walk the trails and another 15 minutes or so at the campfire. That’s how long we spent on my 2024 visit.
Is Forest of Lights good for a date night?
It can be, especially if you pair it with dinner at Simon Pearce afterward. Just expect lots of families and kids on the trails, since it’s a family-friendly event.
Are dogs allowed at Forest of Lights?
No. VINS doesn’t allow pets past the admissions area, though trained service animals are welcome. Plan to leave your dog at home or with a sitter.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The event runs in all weather, including extreme cold. VINS cancels only when conditions are unsafe, such as high winds, and notifies ticket holders by text and email by noon that day, with the option to donate the ticket or move to another date.
Is Forest of Lights wheelchair accessible?
Mostly. A small section of the Forest Canopy Walk (the Tree House and the Eagle’s Nest platform) isn’t wheelchair accessible. Some displays also use flashing and strobing lights.
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